Take Your Beer for a Walk: Federal Hill

Jeff McCullor

Take a boozy lil walk with brewery owner Jeff McCullor as he explores some of the fun spots in the midtown district of Federal Hill – including the eponymous barbecue, a former public school building, and the Best of Erie sweeper Bro Man's Birria N' Burger Joint.

Lace up those sneakers and snag yourself a local barley pop; it's time to take your beer for a walk! This month we're starting in the historic Federal Hill area south of downtown, centered at the intersection of West 26th and Peach streets.

We'll begin our trek at the southeast corner of this important and busy intersection so we can scope out all the public art. First, the tattoo-inspired mural on the north side of Ink Assassins can definitely provide some inspiration for your next stop in to decorate your epidermis. Next, shift your gaze northwards across West 26th and you'll see an impressive mural stating "Welcome to Federal Hill." Wouldn't it be great if more neighborhoods had public art like this? Cheers to you, mural folks!

Next we'll let our nose guide us while performing an about-face. As we walk south along Peach Street, follow the lovely smoky scent of Federal Hill Smokehouse, one of our town's best barbecue spots. If it's early in their day you'll see a line of hungry customers waiting for some smoked turkey (my favorite), brisket, or to chat about Wrestlemania from the best days of pro wrestling with owner Ryan Atzert. Cheers to you, Federal Hill Smokehouse!

You've been taking sips of your beer so far right? I figured you're a pro at this by now but just in case, this a great time for replenishment.

Next stop, the Raven Sound building – or as it was once called, The Franklin School, Public School Number 9. Located right next to Federal Hill Smokehouse, this is a great example of the "it was a good idea at the time" form of construction with the original brick school building, standing tall atop the hill, featuring a 1980s-style plaza addition on the front. First opened in 1891, it had eight rooms consisting of 396 seats. It's now home to a bunch of small businesses. Cheers to you, small business community!

From here we'll continue south on Peach to the next intersection, turning left onto Hill Road, aptly named because it includes a Pittsburgh-esque grade all the way down to Glenwood Park Avenue where we'll turn left, heading north until we stop in front of Bro Man's Birria 'n Burger Joint. From their humble food truck beginnings, these bros opened two locations in Erie, the Glenwood location being quite literally in the center of our burger-loving town. Stop in for a Sooner Burger or 3-pack of the Diablo Quesabirria Tacos; they pair perfectly with your pint. Cheers to you, Bro Man's!

Thanks for coming on a walk with me. Keep drinking, and walking, local.

Jeff McCullor is the co-owner of Erie Ale Works. He can be reached at jeff@eriealeworks.com