Where We Are Today Always Perfecting the Process
Our story started with our beer, and it continues that way each day. Every batch we brew is thoughtfully brewed, carefully crafted, and thoroughly tested. Nothing leaves our brewery unless it's just right!
Our Origin Story The Convergence of Two Great Ideas
In 1992, when Glenn and Michelle Benigni decided to open a craft beer-centric restaurant in Pittsburgh, they could not have imagined that one day, beers brewed under the Fat Head’s banner would be known and appreciated all over the world. But somehow, that’s exactly what happened.
Recognized as one of the earliest purveyors of American and even international craft beers, Fat Head’s restaurant on Pittsburgh’s South Side became a destination for those seeking out full-flavored brews. Their enormous sandwiches and fall-off-the-bone, succulent smoked wings didn’t deter guests either.
Master Brewer Matt Cole, like Glenn and Michelle, was a passionate supporter of the craft beer revolution. He was creating and brewing award-winning beers that helped put Cleveland on the map as a craft brew epicenter.
In 2009, the two parties came together to open the flagship Fat Head’s brewpub in North Olmsted, Ohio and began to change the world of hoppy beer. Soon, Fat Head’s IPAs were winning awards and recognition at some of the biggest beer competitions in the world. Midwest craft beer drinkers began demanding to be able to stock their fridges with these champion brews.
In 2012, their first production brewery allowed them to do just that. Hop-heads weren’t the only beer lovers enjoying the benefits of restaurant and grocery availability. Bumble Berry Honey Blueberry Ale took off like wildfire, refreshing everyone from the novice craft explorer to the sophisticated sipper. Awards followed for a wide variety of contemporary and traditional styles. All the while, Head Hunter continued to serve as a benchmark for the Midwest IPA.
Demand quickly exceeded infrastructure, and in 2018, the current brewery was built. It features a 250-person traditional beer hall, providing the idealized setting for the Fat Head’s dining and drinking experience. A second brewpub in Canton opened that year as well. It’s a satellite operation that serves as both a creative incubator and an additional brew and ‘cue outpost.
Five years later, in 2023, Fat Head’s reached another milestone with unparalleled performance and achievement at both the World Beer Cup (WBC) and Great American Beer Festival (GABF) competitions. At the WBC, Head Hunter won Gold in the American-Style India Pale Ale category. Alpenglow Weizenbock and Bone Head Double Hoppy Red Ale also won top honors in their respective categories. At the GABF, Head Hunter replicated its gold-winning performance, as did Alpenglow. Goggle Fogger Hefe-Weizen also delivered a Gold medal for Fat Head’s, continuing the brewery’s growing record of award-winning brews.
Fat Head’s is now recognized worldwide among the best brewers of contemporary American-style India Pale Ales and traditional, old-world-style German brews. And the chicken wings – they’re still fall-off-the-bone delicious.