The Story
Gary Olden and Aaren Simoncini founded Hitchhiker Brewing in 2014, quickly building a reputation for boundary-pushing craft beer. The brewery's specialties include hazy New England-style IPAs, fruited sours, and experimental ales that draw beer enthusiasts from across the region.
Operating out of Sharpsburg, just across the Allegheny River from Pittsburgh proper, Hitchhiker has grown from a small-batch operation to one of the most respected breweries in western Pennsylvania. Their taproom has become a destination, offering rotating taps that keep regulars coming back to see what is new.
Hitchhiker's commitment to quality and creativity has earned them multiple awards and a devoted following that stretches well beyond Pittsburgh.
What Makes It Pittsburgh
Hitchhiker represents the entrepreneurial spirit of Pittsburgh's brewing revival. Sharpsburg is a small river borough that has benefited enormously from the brewery's presence, drawing foot traffic and attention to a community that is often overlooked.
The brewery's success is part of a larger story: Pittsburgh's craft beer scene now rivals much larger cities, and operations like Hitchhiker are a big reason why.