563 Greenfield Ave., Greenfield
412-586-5944
Mon.-Sat. 4 p.m.-2 a.m. (Kitchen: 4 p.m.-10 p.m.); Sunday brunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Date Visited: Tue., Jan. 19 (during a Penguins game). Years in Business: Two. Crowd: Mostly young professionals and graduate students. Known For: American bottled beer. Hough's boasts more than 200 different bottles from breweries across the country, including Maine's Peak Organic Brewery and California's Stone Brewing Company. "U.S. beer isn't what everyone thinks it is," says owner Greg Hough. "It's not just Miller Lite and Bud Light. We have a lot of beer from the United States that people need to know about." The bar's list of imports is expanding, too. In all, he says, Hough's carries nearly 300 varieties of bottled beer. Décor: Hough admits that the bar's façade -- draped with dull, white tarps revealing the bar's name -- isn't very inviting; exterior renovations are planned for the summer. Inside, however, Hough's is spacious and sporty (football helmets line the walls). TV Situation: Six average-sized flat-screen TVs, along with two large projection screens -- one 10-foot-wide and the other 6-foot-wide. Food: Typical bar grub -- burgers, wraps, salads -- and a handful of pasta entrees. Noise: Whisper if you're ordering a Miller Lite. The guy two stools down will certainly hear you. Smoke: Nope. Bring a Date or Find a Date: You can do either. Then again, if your date orders a Miller Lite, you can do both. Best Drink Special: Every Saturday, Hough's "Brewery of the Month" special offers patrons the chance to win merchandise from a selected brewery (this month, Vermont's Long Trail Brewing Company). Buy that month's beer and receive a ticket to enter a drawing for the special prize. Most Popular Drink: Magic Hat #9. Most Unusual Drink: "We have a lot of different, one-off stuff," says Hough. For example, he says, the bar carries the hard-to-find Brooklyn Black Ops, an imperial stout made by Brooklyn Brewery, and Fuller's Vintage Ale, from the U.K. Odd Fact About Bar: Hough's sponsors the Pittsburgh Sports League and hosts shuffleboard and cornhole tournaments each week. Available Diversions: Two electronic dart boards and a shuffleboard. Best Bathroom Graffiti: None! Your mom's bathroom isn't this clean. Overheard Dialogue: "That's boarding!" shouts a female Penguins fan upset over a dirty crosscheck. "That's a cheap shot!" The Last Word: "For people who say they don't like beer, I'm sure we can find something you'll like," says Hough.
