The Cinderlands Story

While living in Los Angeles, Jamie and Joanna begin work on a business plan for what would become Cinderlands Beer Company. Enamored with craft beer and, more specifically, craft beer culture, Jamie and Joanna immersed themselves in the world from a consumer perspective, learning all they can along the way. A native of Pittsburgh, Jamie knew there would be no finer place to open a brewery than his home town. In 2016, the Wardens packed their bags and headed East, working to build their dream brewery.

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 him and Emily to Pittsburgh.  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.

Cinderlands' first hire (and now partner) is Chef Joe Kiefer. Originally brought on to run the kitchen at 3705, Joe now oversees the entirety of the Cinderlands Beer Company food program.

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.

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.