“Blind Cat Beer Co.: Brews, Community Events, and Giving Back”

In a unique fusion of craft beer and community engagement, Blind Cat Beer Co. is making waves in downtown Pittston. More than just a brewery, it serves as a vibrant community hub where locals come together to enjoy both unique brews and meaningful events.

Haley O’Brien

WVIA News

Cat owners enjoy beers with their feline friends at Blind Cat Beer Co.’s monthly “Catty Hour” event.

Among its popular events is the monthly “Catty Hour,” where cat enthusiasts can unwind with a pint alongside their feline companions. The brewery also stands out for its philanthropic efforts, donating $1 from every pint of its best-selling Cricket Pilsner to local animal rescues.

“It’s just who we are as people,” shared co-owner Brittany Grasso Salvatori. “And so we just carry that with us into the business.” Interestingly, the Cricket Pilsner is named after their fearless and confident six-year-old blind cat, Cricket.

Celebrating One Year in Pittston

Brittany and Manny Salvatori, a dynamic husband-and-wife team, launched Blind Cat Beer Co. in downtown Pittston in late 2024. Originally from Scranton, Manny honed his brewing skills in New York City before returning to Pennsylvania with Brittany, a Luzerne County native, to open their brewery.

Blind Cat Beer Co. offers unique events and gives back to organizations they care about.

To mark their first anniversary, the Salvatoris have organized an array of events from November 21-23, including karaoke, a mini bazaar, and a rock, paper, scissors tournament. Over the past year, Manny has brewed around 25 different beers, producing approximately 8,000 gallons, focusing on Pennsylvania ingredients and sustainable practices.

A Toast to WVIA

In a gesture of support for public media, Blind Cat Beer Co. will release a new brew, Signal amber lager, in November. One dollar from every pint sold will benefit WVIA Public Media.

“I feel like it’s the kind of news that we need,” Salvatori explained. “And not in the best place right now. So just doing our part to help as much as we can.”

Following a federal funding cut that reduced WVIA’s budget by 20%, the brewery’s contribution is timely and significant.

“It’s something that I grew up watching and listening to and still do,” Grasso Salvatori said. “So we really wanted to just do whatever we could to help.”

WVIA will host a News & Brews event at Blind Cat Beer Co. on November 13 to celebrate the new lager. The event, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., invites the community to meet the WVIA news team at the brewery in Pittston.

“Beer is the focal point. It’s what brings people in. But we’re also a community space,” said Grasso Salvatori. “We do events that will get people together over a beer, you know, whether they’re two totally different people that believe in totally different things. They sit down at the bar and they have a conversation.”