Dancing Gnome, Pittsburgh Brewing steal from the ’70s, give to the pour

Joanne Klimovich Harrop | Wednesday, July 1, 2020 9:49 a.m.

Courtesy of Ben Butler

The modern version of Robin Hood Cream Ale.

Dancing Gnome Brewery and Pittsburgh Brewing Co. have teamed up to bring back Robin Hood Cream Ale, a popular local brew from the late 1970s.

The idea to do this came when Ben Butler, founder and owner of Top Hat, a Pittsburgh-based creative agency, introduced the two clients — Andrew Witchey, owner and brewer of Dancing Gnome in Sharpsburg, and brewmaster Mike Carota from Pittsburgh Brewing.

“Andrew said he was looking to collaborate with Pittsburgh Brewing on this beer, because (their) customers had been asking for it,” Butler said. “There are certain old beers that people remember drinking or they recall someone in their family drinking them. It’s nostalgic.”

Pittsburgh Brewing has made many products but Robin Hood stood out, Butler said. It was one of the most collected beer cans, Butler said, and one of the beers most-asked about on social media via direct message.

Witchey said when he met Carota, the two immediately connected.

“It is so cool because they care about the quality of their beers,” said Witchey, a Lower Burrell native who lives in Stanton Heights. “I am Pittsburgh born and bred and with Pittsburgh Brewing rebranding itself, I appreciate what they are doing.

“We met and it all fell into place.”

Witchey, who started Dancing Gnome in October 2016, said the recipe is not exact.

“It is difficult to modernize that classic style,” he said. “So we used our knowledge and put together a beer that is cream ale inspired. We are proud of what we’ve come up with.”

They made 20 barrels, which is right under 700 gallons, he said.

It’s best to pre-order, and sooner rather than later, because these beer collaborations tend to sell out quickly. The cost is $12 for a 4-pack.

He said he would consider making more if it’s well received, possibly brewing it two times a year.

Hours to pick up the beer are from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Dancing Gnome.

“Anything Dancing Gnome makes sells out quickly,” Butler said. “They have such a following. It is super cool for a hip craft brewery to collaborate with an iconic Pittsburgh brewery. I think you will see more of this in the future.”