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Pittsburgh pride is one of the hallmarks of the newly re-opened Iron City Brewing Co. On Sept. 19, 2007, Iron City Brewing Co. was brought out of the shadows of bankruptcy by a new team led by Iron City President Timothy Hickman and Greenwich, Conn.-based Unified Growth Partners. The new team brings with it a fresh mission for Iron City, but does not forget the history that helped the brewery become a Pittsburgh institution.
"Our core focus is on being a quality regional brewery," Hickman says. "We're based in Western Pennsylvania, and that area ties into certain sports teams, blue-collar traditions and strict work ethic. We want to take Iron City brands back to their roots and reflect the Pittsburgh quality and workmanship this city is known for."
The brewery first opened in 1861, but has spent the past two decades mired in financial troubles. Formerly known as Pittsburgh Brewing Co., the brewery transferred ownership a few times in the late 1980s following financial troubles incurred by two sequential owners.
In 1995, Pittsburgh native Joseph Piccirilli purchased the brewery with hopes of moving it into the 21st century. Under Piccirilli's ownership. Iron City introduced the aluminum beer bottle, which was a first in the category. Despite attempts at...