Best Craft Beer Happy Hours In Pittsburgh

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Craft beers are are typically all-malt beers that start in microbreweries or brewpubs. Imagine a bartender pouring you a frosty, hoppy creation that just reached maturity mere moments ago, and in Pittsburgh, no less. Read on for five of the best bars that feature both happy hours and craft beers, and be a weeknight ale hero.

Not only does the Cultural District's own Proper Brick Oven & Tap Room have such excellent options as bacon candy as an appetizer, but also 30 craft beers on tap, on which owner Suzanne has placed great emphasis on local and regional brews. There's also great happy hour selections at Proper, which runs Tuesday through Friday, so be sure to try an IPA or a seasonal ale and pair it with one of Proper's eclectic, expertly prepared pizza selections.

Nowhere else in the South Side can you go that has both a happy hour and a parking lot attached to the building. The Urban Tap gets five stars for this fact alone, as parking in the South Side is always at a premium. However, you won't be disappointed in Tap's fantastic craft beer selection – 40 in total – and delicious half-off-small plates from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. A fan favorite is Tap's ooey-gooey mac 'n cheese appetizer with fried pork belly and house-made doughnuts and coffee for brunch.

Kick back at James Street with what it refers to as a Speakeasy Era cocktail, or choose from over 100 craft beers – nine of which are on tap. Many of James Street's offerings are brewed locally, such as Helltown, All Saints, Arsenal, East End and Full Pint. Beer flights are also available if you have a hard time choosing just one. Happy hour is every Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. However, happy hours and locally-made ales aside, another reason you should stop into James Street is because it so selflessly donates one dollar from every cocktail, wine or beer sale every Saturday night from 5 to 7 p.m. to a local nonprofit. Go for happy hour and stay for good.

Related:  The Best Craft Beer Spots In Pittsburgh

Bocktown cleverly refers to itself ad the 'Place to Beer,' and this tagline may be entirely accurate. With 16 rotating drafts and over 400 bottle choices in its "beer library," complimentary weekly craft beer samplings, special better beer debut dates (adorably referred to as Beeried Treasures) and 'Brewser' the Infuser (when Bocktown spices up a beer for a one-of-a-kind treat), this place oozes beer knowledge. Another great thing about Bocktown is its location in Robinson – sometimes you don't feel like driving downtown to get your hands on your favorite happy hour draft, and now you don't have to. Bocktown is also Lyft-friendly; visit the website for a special promo code to get your first ride free.

Come to Hal's for standard happy hour (Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 p.m.), standard bar food (though the heavenly lobster mac 'n cheese is nothing to scoff at) and standard regulars. Hal's, all in all, seems pretty standard. However, Hal's beer selection is what makes this North Hills spot an excellent craft beer destination. It may be dark inside, but you'll soon light up when you see the tantalizing selection of locally brewed faves, imported Belgians and outstanding IPAs that have made Hal's a hallmark for many patrons.

Related: Perfect Pair: Best Craft Beers To Serve At Your Summer BBQ