Mineo’s in Squirrel Hill teams with Helltown Brewing for a hazy IPA
Pizza and beer.
It’s the perfect combination.
Mineo’s Pizza House in Squirrel Hill and Helltown Brewing in Export have collaborated on a hazy IPA.
The silver, green, red and white can contains a photo of Giovanni Mineo Sr., who started the pizza business in 1958. Written across the bottom in black lettering is one of his favorite sayings: “Whatsamatta You.”
The beer was unveiled Sunday at Mineo’s in Squirrel Hill. It’s 6.7 % alcohol and costs $18.50 for a six-pack of cans.
The beer will be available in cans and on draft at the Squirrel Hill shop, but not the Mt. Lebanon store at this time. It will be sold at the new location in Hampton, which is set “to open soon,” according to the owners.
Ownership includes Dominic Mineo and his son, JD Mineo, and daughter, Elissa Mineo Filson, who is married to Shawn Filson, and Dominic’s brother, Giovanni Jr., and his son, Giovanni III.
The idea for the brew came from managers Giovanni Mineo III, John Dante Mineo and Shawn Filson.
“We wanted to personalize a beer for our shops,” Shawn Filson said. “And in doing that pay tribute to Mr. Mineo for the business he started and made what it is today.”
Giovanni Mineo III said he loves that Helltown is able to “encapsulate and contribute to the legacy of my grandfather.” He is named after his grandfather. When the youngster was in third grade, he told his teacher he wanted to be a “pizza man.”
The original “pizza man” Giovanni Mineo Sr. came to America in 1955 from a small town in Sicily, called Bagheria, in the Palermo region. He started the business in 1958 and they opened the Mt. Lebanon location in 1994.
He died in 1996.
New Mineo’s spot
The newest location is inside the former Tuscan Inn on Wildwood Road, located about four miles from where the brothers grew up in Shaler.
Built in 1888, it’s an historical building that was a hunting lodge, hotel and restaurant built by the wealthy. It had been owned by a few other people and there was a small fire there in 2017. It was a restaurant where many members of the Mineo family had gathered for special occasions.
The 9,000-square-foot space needed some work. It has a room for private parties, a menu similar to the other locations, and a full-service bar and seating for 100 along with free parking.
The business has continued to expand to carry on Giovanni Mineo Sr.’s legacy.
Jessica Guerrera, Western Pennsylvania marketing manager for Helltown, which started in Mt. Pleasant and celebrated 10 years in business in 2021, called the partnership a way to bring more beer into the city of Pittsburgh.
“They make great pizza and we make great beer, so that’s the perfect combination,” said Shawn Gentry, Helltown founder. “It’s important to help other local businesses and, with this collaboration, we believe it’s a win-win situation.”
At the unveiling, Guerrera said the collaboration is about carrying on Giovanni Mineo Sr.’s legacy and putting a good beer behind it.
“It’s also about supporting local businesses,” Guerrera said. “It’s family. It’s local. It’s love. And you can never go wrong with beer and pizza.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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