Only in Pittsburgh would a doctor's office erupt in cheers during a news report that a local beer was making a comeback, laughs Mark Dudash, the Upper St. Clair businessman who is reviving the Prince of Pilsner, Duquesne Beer.
"There's a sense of loyalty here which hopefully my kids are starting to understand," says Dudash, whose daughter was working as a physician assistant in the office when the shout went up. "She told everyone, that's my dad!"
Dudash began his working career as a labor relations manager for Iron City where he earned an appreciation for Pittsburgh's beer drinking legacy. "We were celebrities back then and it was the greatest job in the world," says Dudash. "We weren't paid a lot, but what an opportunity!"
Dudash went on to
Duquesne Law School, became an attorney and as luck had it, found himself with a chance to acquire the trademark for Duquesne, which was brewed in the South Side from 1899 to 1972. Knowing the history as well as insiders on the local brewing scene, he hardly hesitated.
"When you know the story, you become a part of it," he says. "I was confident it could be done. I've been getting an unbelievable response ever since."
Dudash has been working for two years on the plans. The beer will be brewed in the City Brewing plant in Latrobe. The recipe is based on the original with the help of a former brew master and colleagues at Pittsburgh Brewing, smooth with no bitter aftertaste. Dudash , the sole investor, calls it a super premium beer at a responsible price.
The beer will be ready in July and will be available throughout Western Pennsylvania.
The reintroduction of Duquesne Beer joins the debut of a new cider house in Lawrenceville. The Arsenal Cider House & Wine Cellar will open afternoons and evenings this month, Wednesday through Saturday and by special appointment at 300 39th St.
Writer:
Deb SmitSource: Mark Dudash, Duquesne Beer
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Image courtesy of Mark Dudash