The Wardens and The Schneiders Team Up
Paul and Emily, Chicago natives, had their sights set on the Pacific Northwest. It’s true; dreams of lambics, saisons and mountaintop picnics filled with esoteric cheese were dancing in their heads. Then, the Wardens happened. Originally introduced through family friends, Jamie called Paul to discuss the beer business and seek out any tips he might have for breaking in – thanking him and wishing him well on his adventures out west.
However, due to a shakeup in the early team configurations, the Wardens found themselves without a brewer just seven months from opening. That’s when Jamie remembered his buddy Paul and invited he and Emily to Pittsburgh. Â After many drinks, jovial hangs and a missed return flight over an energetic weekend, Jamie and Joanna bid farewell to the Schneiders, and just asked them to think it over. Three days later, the Wardens received a fateful call that started with two words – “we’re in”, and Cinderlands was born.
Original Brewhouse Arrives on Butler
In August of 2017, the original brewhouse for Cinderlands Beer Company arrived. A 3.5bbl electric brewhouse was the mighty mouse that kept the Cinderlands kegs full until the Warehouse opened in 2019.
First Draft Poured at 3705
As we got everything ready for opening, Emily Schneider pours the first draft into our new glasses.
Cinderlands Beer Company Opens for Business
With 4 beers on tap (including Test Piece, an IPA and Blazing Crude, a Milk Stout), Cinderlands opened its doors at 3705 Butler Street to very enthusiastic crowds. Serving smash burgers and house-made beers, getting a table at the old 3705 was quite a challenge.
Construction Starts at The Warehouse
As the snow comes down we started to build what everyone knows now as Cinderlands Warehouse in the Strip District.
Cinderlands is recognized as a top 20 new craft brewery by USA Today
In early 2019, we were thrilled to receive notice that we had been nominated as a top 20 brewery for USA Today’s Best Of list.
Cinderlands Warehouse Opens in Pittsburgh’s Strip District
17,000+ square feet of Cinderlands Warehouse opened to the public in May of 2019. Equipped with a 15bbl brewhouse (and some 30bbl tanks), the Warehouse was a dramatic upgrade for the brew team. On the restaurant side, the new kitchen was also massive, giving Joe plenty of space for whatever he could dream up, and man did he throw out some wild stuff.
First Event at The Warehouse – Juicy Brews
Along with our good buddies from Hop Culture, we hosted Juicy Brews at the Warehouse, before we even opened our doors or had any tables and chairs. This was an insane undertaking that probably took years off of our lives, but the event was a total success and a complete blast. Truly a treasured memory.
Cinderlands Wexford Taproom Opens
As it did for everyone, COVID19 gave us an opportunity to reflect on what was next for our business and how to best approach it. One consideration was a small retail space in the Wexford (Northern) area of Pittsburgh. Paul and Emily found a great space and the team worked together to bring our smallest (but mighty!) suburban outpost to life.
Cindi’s Hard Mountain Tea Hits the Shelves
As a brief first run, Cindi’s Hard Mountain tea was initially released into the Pittsburgh market in 16oz cans. Shortly thereafter, we transitioned the brand to 12oz and 19.2oz cans. A fast favorite around the brewery, Cindi’s was our first foray into FMB (Flavored Malt Beverages), and we couldn’t have been happier with where it landed. Cindi’s is now offered in original, raspberry and mango, with plans for other flavor combinations soon!
