In December of 2024 I accompanied my wife on one of her work trips, visiting the great city of Prague for the first time. At the time, I must confess, I had no idea of what the "
Prague pour" is, let alone that at that very time it was a controversial trend appearing in bars across the U.S. So blissfully ignorant I wandered into my first Prague brew pub, ordered a lager, and glanced around at the locals there just to determine whether the inch and a half head that came on top of it was just a way to bilk tourists. I would, of course, quickly learn better, and enjoy a large range of Bohemian beers well beyond the famous legendary Pilsner Urquell (the only beer actually named as a pilsner in the Czech Republic).
As it happened, about a year later, Aaron Dahl, the head brewer of Golden Age Brewing here in Homestead, PA took a week-long trip to the same area, sponsored by the the Czech Ministry of Agriculture, and came away impressed. “It was an incredibly life-changing and eye-opening experience,” Dahl said. “The attention to detail and care and pride in pouring beer correctly every single time was truly inspiring.” (
Pittsburgh Magazine)
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The Bohemian, Pittsburgh, PA
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Serendipitously for Dahl and for residents of Pittsburgh, at about the same time as an inspired Dahl was returning from the Czech Republic, Golden Age was acquiring use of a space within the 110-year-old Garden Theater, on the north side of Pittsburgh. Opened in 1915, in 1973 the venue played the infamous pornographic film "Deep Throat," and soon the grand, 1,000-seat theater became a regular X-Rated venue, remaining such until it closed in 2007.
The new bar opened in a portion of the old building by Golden Age now serves classic Czech style beers in a cozy space that pays homage to both the porn period of the building and 1970s style in general. As Pittsburgh Magazine explained, "There are three keystones to Czech lagers: Saaz hops from Czechia (which are spicier and earthier than many American-grown varieties), floor-malted Pilsner malt and soft water." The versions of these brewed by Dahl and the Golden Age facility include "four lagers — Pale, Gold, Pils and Dark ... poured from side-pull Lukr faucets into hand-cleaned, slightly chilled glassware until they have a wet, dense head." (ibid)
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| The Bohemian, Pittsburgh, PA |
I must confess that on our first visit we were coming from a large brunch at a nearby restaurant, and instead of beer opted for a couple of the 70s theater themed cocktails, the Popcorn Old Fashioned (clarified butter-washed bourbon, cherry cola cordial, saline, bitters) and a Disco Gimlet (gin, green apple, apricot, Amaretto, and lemon). But we love its funky vibe, we are fans of the team running Gold Age and the Hidden Harbor tiki bar, and we will certainly return soon for some beer with a lot of foam.
22 W North Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 - (412) 212-7068
Est. April 2026 - Building constructed: 1915
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site:
bohemianpgh.com -
instagram
Articles:
pittsburghmagazine -
tablemagazine -
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citycastpgh -
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