Corbett Announces Liquor Privatization to Fund Education: What Are Your Thoughts?

“Our plan gives consumers what they want by increasing choice and convenience, and helps to secure our future by adding $1 billion in funding toward the education of our children, without raising any taxes,” the governor said Wednesday.

Gov. Tom Corbett, joined by Rep. Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny County, on Wednesday announced his plan to privatize the liquor system in Pennsylvania and committed $1 billion in proceeds from the process to education funding. Corbett said the $1 billion will be used to create the Passport for Learning Block Grant, which will provide flexibility to schools, allowing our public schools, instead of Harrisburg, to decide what their students need. The grant will focus on four priority areas: school safety, enhanced early education programs, individualized learning and science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses and programs. “Our proposal is part of my commitment to changing Harrisburg, streamlining government and moving Pennsylvania …

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Moon Plaza Giant Eagle to Offer Beer, Wine with Cafe Expansion

The Moon Plaza grocery store will soon expand its offerings, now that it's obtained a license permitting limited liquor sales.

Giant Eagle plans to expand its Moon Township location with a cafe that will include beer and wine on the menu.  The Moon Township Board of Supervisors on Monday night approved a restaurant liquor license for the University Boulevard store, said Moon communications director Alexis Sargeant.  In addition to the cafe, which will feature indoor and outdoor seating, the grocery chain will expand the store's prepared foods, deli and bakery sections.  Sargeant said the expansion will add 50 new jobs to the Moon Township location.  The cafe's menu will feature premium and craft beers alongside other food items.  "There will be a two-beer limit per person," Sargeant said of cafe. "It will be more like how the (Robinson Township) Market District is…

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Sewickley's First Ever Oktoberfest Celebration Runs Friday and Saturday

A Bavarian tradition, the two-day Oktoberfest is a fundraiser presented by Sharp Edge Bistro and Village Green Partners that highlights German culture through food, drinks, music and activities.

Village Green Partners and Sharp Edge Bistro will hold Sewickley's first-ever Oktoberfest on Friday and Saturday in the Village. Organizers are gearing up for the event, which will take place under a large 90-by-40 foot tent in the Division Street parking lot next to Sharp Edge. The event is a fundraiser for Village Green, a non-profit that works to promote the Village of Sewickley, and is expected to attract a nice crowd. "It seems like a lot of people are talking about it and are excited about it," said Alex DeLoia, Village Green social media strategist. The two-night Oktoberfest kicks off 5 to 11 p.m. Friday. The tent reopens for food and drinks from 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday. Entertainment Friday's entertainment line up includes live music…

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Raise a Beer Stein to Oktoberfest 2012

Get your lederhosen out—Oktoberfest is here! St. James begins its annual celebration in Sewickley while the Bark'toberfest at Larry's Laundro'mutt over in Edgeworth is all about the dogs.

Before Halloween is here, there’s another not-so-spooky way to celebrate the fall: the German holiday of Oktoberfest! While you're looking forward to dressing up in a costume and nearly getting a cavity from the candy intake, you can don knee socks and feast on bratwursts and beer. In its native Bavaria, Germany, Oktoberfest is traditionally celebrated for 16 days, and this year the fun goes from Sept. 22—Oct. 7. It is one of the most spirited celebrations in Germany, and is a huge part of Bavarian culture. The first Oktoberfest was in 1810, as part of Crown Prince Ludwig’s wedding festivities, and has continued ever since. Celebrations kick off this weekend in the Sewickley Valley starting at 6 p.m. tonight (Friday) with Oktoberfest at St…

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Why Drink Cask Ale? Here's What it is and Where you Can Find it

Tim Russell describes how the cask ale movement is bringing more of the traditional beers—those that were packaged in a way prior to the introduction of modern refrigeration—to the city of Pittsburgh.

It’s smooth. It’s flavorful. It’s warm. It’s alive. It’s real ale. The Campaign for Real Ale, or CAMRA, defines real ale as “a natural product brewed using traditional ingredients and left to mature in the cask from which it is served in the pub through a process called secondary fermentation.” In other words, from fermentation vessel to glass, real ale contains living yeast and is never pressurized by a CO2 tank. CAMRA was created by four Englishmen whom grew tired of fizzy beer with no character and little flavor while they were on holiday in Ireland. Today, the organization is a hundred-thousand members strong and considered the most successful consumer rights group in Europe. One of their main objectives is to campaign for the …

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Impromptu Beer-B-Q: An Easy Grilled Chicken Recipe Using a Pale Ale

The wet and chilly weather will break again soon, and the backyard grill will tempt. Pocket this grilled chicken recipe for that moment. It's easy and delicious—and made with beer.

Grillin’ season is one of my favorites. Whether you use a good old charcoal Weber or a top of the line stainless steel beast, barbecue smells and tastes like summer. And what goes better with smoky barbecue and stunning sunshine than a fresh poured beer? Nothing! So with a quick run to the Strip for some treats and a look in the husband’s beer fridge, a gluttonous Sunday Beer-B-Q meal became a thing. My neighbors probably love and hate me for making them smell my experiments on the grill all summer long. The menu: a pale ale and herb-brined organic chicken, and the side dishes I made were heirloom tomato and basil salad, crimini mushroom bacon roasted potatoes and a green salad with balsamic vinaigrette and shaved parmesan. We grilled on …

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Giant Eagle Customers Toast Convenience of Beer Sales

Giant Eagle began selling beer in November after its permit was approved by the state Liquor Control Board. Now, about two months later, customers are loving it.

Thomas Brown studied the selection inside a cooler at the Giant Eagle, carefully checking each row for just the right ingredient to use in his venison stew. “I think the selection here is good,” Brown, 43, of Leetsdale, said recently after getting his first up-close look at the Leetsdale grocery’s latest offering – beer. After years of choosing between a case of beer from a distributor or a six-pack from a bar, several Giant Eagle shoppers said they were pleased to have the freedom to shop for groceries and beer in one stop. Brown hoped to make a Guinness stew, and said he found it quite helpful, in addition to spices and vegetables, that he could shop for beer in the same place. “It’s very convenient,” he said. Giant Eagle began selling …

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Giant Eagle Beer Sales Begin Tuesday

Giant Eagle to begin selling six-packs that include 250 different choices.

Beer drinkers will soon have the convenience of buying a six-pack while shopping at the grocery store come Tuesday. Giant Eagle has received approval from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to begin selling beer at the Leetsdale supermarket,100 Village Drive. As with other Giant Eagle locations, beer sales will be limited to two beers for on-premise restaurant consumption when purchased with food or two six packs (192 fluid ounces) when purchased for off-premises use. According to Dick Roberts, Giant Eagle spokesman, a variety of 250 different beer and other malt beverages will be stocked with a focus on microbrews, craft beers and premium brands. The Leetsdale Giant Eagle has undergone extensive renovations, which include a pharmacy …

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Monday Musings with Alie

A Spot of Pink in a Sea of Black and Gold

Thoughts from a Pittsburgher with no interest in sports

In the heart of Steeler Nation live hundreds of thousands of die-hard fans. They eat, sleep and live the Pittsburgh Steelers. They tailgate at all hours in rain, shine, sleet, hail and snow. Everywhere they go, they sport their team jerseys and wave their terrible towels. They bleed black and gold. Then, there is me. I stay inside when the weather is cold no matter what kind of party is going on outside. I don’t drink beer. I don’t use a football game as an excuse to eat nachos. I don’t own any Steelers gear. I can’t name more than two players on the team. I don’t even own a television on which to watch games. And most importantly, my blood is just plain red. I have been known in the past, especially if I travel, to fake my allegiance to …

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