Allusion Brewing Co. to open Saturday in Vandergrift

After months of delays, Vandergrift’s Allusion Brewing Co. will officially open Saturday.

Robert Buchanan and John Bieranoski had planned to open their craft brewery in the spring. They were ready to make Vandergrift a new destination for craft beer enthusiasts. In February, Buchanan said everything was on track for a smooth and successful opening in the spring.

Then the covid-19 pandemic hit the region.

With businesses closed, Buchanan said the final preparations for the brewery were subsequently delayed. They could continue working on improving the building — which required renovations — but they weren’t able to have as many contractors working at once. They couldn’t have inspections performed on plumbing, electricity and other utilities or receive certain equipment on time. Buchanan said it took an extra three months for the brewery to receive a new transformer for their extensive equipment. Without it, they couldn’t even turn on the machinery.

“With everybody being shut down, we had to wait unusually long times for inspections on utilities,” Buchanan said. “(We had) delays, delays, delays, delays getting the power for the equipment. We couldn’t even start brewing in the spring.”

“But we’ve soldiered on and we’re here,” he added.

The two are excited to finally open the shop. Bieranoski said they’ve gotten support from friends and family, but he sees Allusion as a chance to explore his brewing skills, learn more about the craft and share the finished product with everyone.

“The ability to finally be open – to share our beer with the public,” he said, “…the excitement is getting it out there.”

Buchanan and Bieranoski met while they were both working in the financial aid department at the Art Institute. They started brewing beer together in 2013 and it quickly became a passion, they said.

Bieranoski said he’s worked in business throughout his career, including retail and higher education – but in the last few years, brewing has developed from a hobby into a calling. He’s started a formal education in brewing through Chicago’s Siebel Institute and is in the process of getting his master certificate.

Bieranoski envisions the brewery as a place welcoming to both craft beer veterans and newcomers. The brewery will always have at least five “staple” beers on tap, along with more experimental flavors and options.

“We have a 10-tap system,” Bieranoski said, gesturing to the ornate line of taps behind the brewery’s newly-finished bar. “That’s five staples and that gives me five to play with and have fun.”

Both natives of Western Pennsylvania, they decided to locate their shop in Vandergrift as a way to boost the small community.

“We knew we always wanted to go to a small town that we felt we could help to bring back the vitality to,” Bieranoski said. “We look at Vandergrift as one of those towns that has a lot of potential to become a great small destination town for folks around the Pittsburgh area.”