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A selection of alcohol-free spirits, beer, bitters and syrups from The Open Road in Allentown.
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Shop Holiday: Gifts of beer, wine and spirits

The Open Road

Shop Holiday: Gifts of beer, wine and spirits

Getting to know the nuances of wine is a lot of fun, but it can be overwhelming without some guidance. The instructors at Palate Partners (an offshoot of Dreadnought Wines) offer a wide range of classes to help expand anyone’s tasting knowledge. Classes range from casual Friday tastings ($12) to lessons on regionally specific wines (generally $45) to multi-week professional certification courses ($295). Come thirsty to 3401 Liberty Ave., Lawrenceville; palatepartners.com.

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Pittsburgh breweries are booming, so much so that it’s hard to keep track of all of them. The Pittsburgh Brewers Guild has a handy guide ($15) to 38 breweries that includes history and highlights for each one along with room for a passport-style stamp to prove that you’ve visited. The guild also offers branded apparel on its website,
pittsburghbreweries.com.

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Non-alcoholic beer, spirits and wine have come a long way in flavor and balance over the past few years. The Open Road in Allentown is stocked with a delightful selection of beverages for those looking for an alcohol-free alternative beverage. Owner Mel Babitz started the business in 2020 and then opened a storefront last April at 600 E Warrington Ave. Gift cards and gift baskets are available at the store and at openroadbarpgh.com.

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The best way to visit multiple breweries in one day is to have someone else drive. City Brew Tours of Pittsburgh offers five-hour tours that visit four breweries ($110 per person) and 3½-hour tours that visit three ($85), as well as custom private tours. citybrewtours.com/pittsburgh

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The distillers and blenders at Wigle Whiskey are constantly innovating, with products that range from a straightforward barrel-aged rye to a Pennsylvania-style absinthe. Its ‘Burgh in a Box flask set ($65) is a terrific way to try three classic Wigle products: Cinnamon whiskey, Landlocked spiced rum and Pennsylvania Wapsie bourbon. Get it (or any of the distillery’s other offerings) at Wigle’s Strip District or Ross Park Mall locations or order online at wiglewhiskey.com.

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Can’t choose which regional and international brew to give your beer-loving giftee? Bierport allows you to craft custom beer baskets with up to 192 ounces of beer (which should get you somewhere between 12 and 16 bottles, depending on size) from its vast selection. You can assemble baskets online (curbside pick-up and shipping are available) or in the Lawrenceville store. The shop also offers premade baskets at 4115 Butler St., Lawrenceville, and bierport.com.

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First Published: November 23, 2022, 5:00 a.m.

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A selection of alcohol-free spirits, beer, bitters and syrups from The Open Road in Allentown.  (The Open Road )
The "Burgh in a Box" flask set from Wigle Whiskey includes Cinnamon whiskey, Landlocked spiced rum and Pennsylvania Wapsie bourbon.  (Wigle Whiskey)
Students sample wine and cheese during a "Tour of Italy" class offered by Palate Partners/Dreadnought Wines in Lawrenceville.  (Dreadnought Wines)
City Brew Tours offers public and private tours of breweries in the region.  (City Brew Tours)
The Pittsburgh Brewers Guild offers a handy guide to 38 local breweries.  (Pittsburgh Brewers Guild)
Make your own basket of beers and ales at Bierport in Lawrenceville.  (Bierport)
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