Craft-brewing pioneer Pastorius strived for authenticity

During a trip to Germany, Tom Pastorius became fond of the German tradition of delivering beer to doorsteps — much like milkmen once did here — and returned to the United States hoping to find that same, rich pilsner.

When he couldn't find it, he decided to brew his own.

“He was simultaneously a pioneer who built the path to craft brewing in Pennsylvania and a faithful steward of brewing tradition,” said attorney Cris Hoel of Franklin Park, who was Pastorius' lawyer for two decades.

Thomas Vaughn Pastorius of Sewickley, founder of Pennsylvania Brewing Co., died Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, surrounded by family. He was 67.

It was not unusual to see Mr. Pastorius don “fishing waders and go into the kettle,” Hoel said.

“He had no pretensions,” said his wife of 39 years, Mary Beth (Morgan) Pastorius. “He did everything.”

Mr. Pastorius became an acknowledged brewer and a community supporter, locating his brewery in 1986 on the original site of the former Eberhardt and Oder Brewery at the base of Troy Hill.

“It was a part of town that needed a shot in the arm,” Hoel said.

He wanted to brew authentic German-style beers with equipment he imported from Germany. He added a restaurant in 1989, making it Pennsylvania's first “tied house” — a brewery operated with a restaurant — since Prohibition.

A graduate of Baldwin High School, where he was lead bagpiper for the Highlanders Band, Mr. Pastor-ius enjoyed music and spoke several languages.

“My husband was a wonderful guy. Everybody loved him,” his wife said. “We're crying, but we're also laughing because everyone has wonderful Tom Pastorius stories.”

In addition to his wife, Mr. Pastorius is survived by sons Thomas Pastorius Jr. of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Franz Daniel Pastorius, of Munich, Germany; and a brother, James G. Pastorius Jr. of Butler.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Presbyterian Church, 414 Grant St., Sewickley.

Craig Smith is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-380-5646 or csmith@tribweb.com.