After almost a year of work, Local Remedy Brewing opened its home on Allegheny Avenue in Oakmont on Friday.
“It’s definitely been an eventful and fun summer,” Local Remedy President Matt Synan said.
Synan began brewing with his friends in the basement of his Cheswick home. After successfully selling their brews at local festivals and events, Synan and his now business partners decided to take the next step.
The Local Remedy family was founded by Synan, Joe Vickless, Dan Silianoff, Brian “BJ” Swartzlander, Sean Rogan and Sean Williamson — all self-proclaimed “beer nerds.”
“We’re beer nerds and beer lovers at heart,” Synan said.
The Allegheny Avenue brewery quickly became a family affair.
Synan said his wife, Maria, has been a constant supporter of the business, and his sister-in-law, Andrea Boswell, used her graphic design skills to create the brewery’s logo.
“So many incredibly talented people were involved,” Synan said. “It made all the difference.”
The brewery already is intertwined with the Oakmont community, including incorporating a bit of the borough in the brewery’s design.
Synan said he and the other owners heard the borough’s shade tree commission had to remove some of the community’s trees. The owners reached out to the commission with the idea of using the wood from the trees to make the brewery’s tables.
“I really enjoyed partnering with the owners of Local Remedy,” said Brian Crooks, chair of Oakmont’s shade tree commission. “It’s rewarding to see some of our retired trees be reused in meaningful ways and remain within our community.”
With the borough recently being awarded a Tree City USA title, local leaders agreed to the project to preserve the wood.
“Unfortunately, so much usable wood is wasted when urban trees are removed,” Crooks said in an email. “Depending on the species, size and condition of the tree, some usable board feet of timber can still be present. But when a tree service company removes a tree, it mostly all just goes in the chipper.”
Vickless’ father, a retired carpenter, built the tables from the usable wood. Each one features a placard defining which tree was used to make the table.
“If people miss the tree that used to be in front of their home, they can come and sit with a beer and reminisce with the actual tree,” Synan said.
The brewery owners continued their community outreach by forming relationships with local restaurants Taco Boys on Maryland Avenue and Leone’s Pizza on Allegheny River Boulevard to set up a way people can enjoy food while at the brewery.
Synan said Local Remedy leaders have pledged to donate 1% of profits to a local organization at the end of each year.
“We’re incredibly excited to open the doors, and we’re looking forward to becoming a valuable contributor to the community,” Synan said.