Iron City Brewery | A Project Documentary by McKim & Creed
TLDRThe Iron City Brewery documentary by McKim & Creed narrates the transformation of a historic Pittsburgh site into a modern brewery. Founded in 1861 by Frauenheim and Vilsack, the Pittsburgh Brewing Company is renowned for its Iron City lager, a significant beer in the region's history. Todd Zwicker, the company's president, shares his vision for the brewery to become a hub that supports the local community. The project, initiated in March 2020, repurposed an 1883 glass factory into a state-of-the-art brewery, blending the old with the new. The building's restoration involved uncovering and preserving its original brick and steel, turning it into a showpiece that honors its past while embracing its future. The documentary highlights the multifaceted challenges, including accommodating the needs of brewers, visitors, and the beer itself, and the innovative engineering that ensures a consistent, high-quality product. With plans for a craft distillery, restaurant, marina, and outdoor entertainment, the brewery aims to become a destination, not just a manufacturing site. The project's success is a testament to the dedication and creativity of the team at McKim & Creed, who take pride in their work and the brewery's role in Pittsburgh's cultural heritage.
Takeaways
- 🍺 The Pittsburgh Brewing Company was founded in 1861 by two gentlemen, Frauenheim and Vilsack, with Iron City lager as its main beer, which was one of the first lags in the area.
- 🏭 Todd Zwicker, the president of Pittsburgh Brewing Company, grew up in Pittsburgh and has seen Iron City lager as an integral part of the region's identity.
- 🏗️ The project to transform the old glass factory into a brewery started in March 2020, aiming to make the company relevant and supportive of the hometown region.
- 🔍 The building, originally constructed in 1883 as PPG number 1, was in complete disrepair and had been painted over many times. The renovation revealed beautiful brick and well-preserved steel.
- 👷 The renovation was not typical, involving both construction and restoration, and was completed in a short time while overcoming numerous challenges.
- 🤝 The project had three clients to consider: the brewers, the visitors, and the beer itself, each with their own needs for movement and visibility within the brewery.
- 💡 The lighting design was intended to be simple and complementary to the historical beauty of the building, without drawing attention away from its architecture.
- 🌟 The brew vessels were a highlight, with efforts made to showcase them to the outside through windows, ensuring they would glow and stand out at night.
- 🛠️ The new brewery systems were designed to be transparent and visually pleasing, with accessibility in mind for both workers and visitors.
- 📈 The new equipment and improvements allow for better output, more consistent, and higher quality products compared to the old system.
- 📈 There are plans for future expansion, including a craft distillery, a restaurant, a marina, and an outdoor venture with music and a pavilion for seating.
- ⚡ The brewery has been designed with generous capacity, including two transformers rated at 10,500 KVA, allowing for significant future growth and additional projects on the site.
Q & A
What was the original name of the company that Todd Zwicker is the president of?
-The original name of the company Todd Zwicker is the president of was the Pittsburgh Brewing Company.
What type of beer was the main product of the Pittsburgh Brewing Company when it was established in 1861?
-The main beer at that time was Iron City lager, which was the first lager in the Pittsburgh area and one of the first in Western Pennsylvania.
In what year did the project to revitalize the brewery start?
-The project to revitalize the brewery started around March of 2020.
What was the original use of the facility that the new brewery was built in?
-The facility was originally an old glass factory from 1883, which was then transformed into a brewery.
What was Todd Zwicker's vision for the new brewery?
-Todd Zwicker's vision for the new brewery was to give people a reason to engage with the brand, making it relevant and supportive of the hometown region.
What was the main role of McKim & Creed in the project?
-McKim & Creed's main role in the project was to bring the aesthetics to the brewery, making it a showpiece and restoring it to a traditional factory facility.
What were the three clients that the project had to consider?
-The three clients that the project had to consider were the brewers who are making the beer, the visitors who want to see how the place works, and the beer itself in terms of its flow and production.
How did the historical aspect of the building influence the lighting design?
-The historical aspect of the building made it easier to light because of its inherent beauty. The goal was to bring in lighting that didn't draw attention away but rather fit into the architecture, enhancing the historical features.
What was the strategy for showcasing the brew vessels?
-The strategy was to align the brew vessels with the windows to make sure that everyone outside could see what was happening inside, and to work with lighting engineers to make the vessels glow and stand out at night.
What are the future plans for the brewery site?
-The future plans for the brewery site include a craft distillery, a restaurant, a marina, an outdoor venture, music entertainment, and a pavilion for outside seating, aiming to make it a destination place rather than just a manufacturing operation.
How has the engineering of the new system improved compared to the old system?
-The engineering of the new system has improved by providing better output, more consistent product quality, and overall better performance compared to the old system.
What is the significance of Iron City Beer in Pittsburgh's culture?
-Iron City Beer is deeply ingrained in Pittsburgh's culture, being associated with the city's identity alongside the Pirates, Steelers, and Heinz Ketchup. It is a staple in many households and has a strong historical presence in the community.
Outlines
🏭 The Transformation of Pittsburgh Brewing Company
The first paragraph introduces the Pittsburgh Brewing Company, founded in 1861 by two gentlemen named Frauenheim and Vilsack. The company's main beer was Iron City lager, which was a pioneering lager not just for Pittsburgh but for Western Pennsylvania. Todd Zwicker, the president of the company, shares his lifelong connection to Pittsburgh and the brand. The narrative then shifts to discuss the transformation of the brewery, which began in March 2020, converting an old glass factory from 1883 into a modern brewery. Zwicker's personal connection to the site as a former employee of the glass plant adds a layer of nostalgia. The new brewery aims to be relevant and supportive of the local region, and the building's historical significance is highlighted through its restoration, which involved sandblasting away layers of paint to reveal the original brick and steel. The paragraph also touches on the challenges of the project, such as balancing the needs of the brewers, visitors, and the beer production process itself. The lighting design is emphasized, with a focus on enhancing the brew vessels and integrating the systems into the architecture without detracting from the building's historical beauty.
📈 Engineering Excellence and Future Expansion
The second paragraph delves into the technical and engineering aspects of the new brewery system. It emphasizes the improvements made over the years to achieve better output, more consistent, and higher quality products. The engineering behind the new system is praised for its advancements compared to the old one. The company's vision extends beyond the brewery to include a craft distillery, a restaurant, a marina, and an outdoor venture, aiming to create a destination place rather than just a manufacturing operation. The design incorporates generous capacity, with two transformers rated at 10,500 KVA, allowing for significant potential expansion. The speaker expresses excitement about the brewery becoming an attraction and looks forward to visiting with their family. The paragraph concludes with a personal anecdote about the speaker's connection to Iron City Beer, mentioning its iconic status in Pittsburgh and its presence in their own home. The engineering team at McKim & Creed is honored to be part of the project, and the speaker, Ray, humorously remarks on the hands-on nature of their work.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Iron City Brewery
💡Pittsburgh Brewing Company
💡Iron City Lager
💡Todd Zwicker
💡Brewery Transformation
💡Showpiece
💡Historical Building
💡Lighting Design
💡Engineering
💡Craft Distillery
💡Destination Place
Highlights
In 1861, the Pittsburgh Brewing Company was founded by two gentlemen, Frauenheim and Vilsack, with Iron City lager as their main beer.
Iron City lager was the first lager in the Pittsburgh area and one of the first in Western Pennsylvania.
Todd Zwicker, president of Pittsburgh Brewing Company, has been part of the company's fabric in Western Pennsylvania since his youth.
The project to transform the old glass factory into a brewery started in March 2020.
The new brewery aims to be relevant and supportive of the hometown region, providing a reason for people to engage with the brand.
The building, originally PPG number 1 from 1883, was once a glass plant and is now considered one of the coolest pieces of the brewery.
The brewery project was unique, involving building walls and pouring concrete while running equipment in a short amount of time.
The transformation included sandblasting away layers of paint to reveal beautiful brick and well-preserved steel.
Restoration efforts focused on repairing bricks, choosing paint colors for steel, and restoring the traditional factory facility.
The project had to accommodate three clients: brewers, visitors, and the beer itself, each with their own movement and space requirements.
Lighting design was crucial, aiming to enhance the historical beauty of the building without detracting from it.
The brew vessels were highlighted to align with the windows, ensuring visibility from the outside and showcasing the brewing process.
The project's scale and mix of systems were enormous, with a focus on making them accessible and visually pleasing for both workers and visitors.
The engineering of the new system significantly improved output, consistency, and quality compared to the old system.
Expansion plans include a craft distillery, restaurant, marina, and outdoor venture, aiming to make the site a destination rather than just a brewery.
The systems were designed with generous capacity to allow for future increases in production.
The site's electrical capacity is substantial, with two transformers rated at 10,500 KVA, enough to power a small city.
Pittsburgh Brewing Company's vision is to create an attraction that brings visitors, including families, to experience the facility.
Iron City Beer is deeply ingrained in the culture of Pittsburgh, associated with the city's sports teams and iconic brands.
The engineering team at McKim & Creed is honored to be part of the project, taking on the technical challenges with enthusiasm.