This spring will be marked by one brewing operation closing, but a brand-new one finally could be opening.

Red Star Agave Grill in Greensburg is to close by March's end. Longtime brewer Jeff Guidos confirmed last week, "We need to be out by the end of the month." Out of the Greensburg train station, that is. That lovely building is owned by the Westmoreland Trust, which is not renewing the lease of the brewpub, which opened in 1998. Red Star Brewery & Grill became Red Star Agave Grill last year.

Although "the ship is going down," Mr. Guidos says, "we're going to have a good time as it happens. Look for some good beer specials, especially around St. Patty's Day."

Meanwhile, March 25 is the target date for the opening of a new Rivertowne location in the Del Monte Foods building on the North Side. Andrew Maxwell, brewer and partner in the chain that includes the Rivertowne Pourhouse brewpub in Monroeville and pubs in Verona and North Huntingdon, describes Rivertowne North Shore as an affordable, open-every-day pub with "a fun atmosphere that is safe for families and kids." He says they won't brew at this location, but it will serve at least four drafts brewed in Monroeville.

Eventually, the place could also serve bottled Rivertowne brews, as well as those from Full Pint, the brewery that Mr. Maxwell and four partners are starting in a North Huntingdon warehouse.

The North Huntingdon commissioners are to vote tonight on ratifying the recommendation on Feb. 1 by the planning commission that the brewery be allowed to operate there (the zoning board previously denied a special exception).

If the planner's "yes" recommendation is ratified, the announcement will be made March 17, Mr. Maxwell says.

Partnering with him in this separate brewing business are fellow Rivertowne Pourhouse brewers Barrett Goddard and Sean Hallisey (both of whom brewed at the late Johnstown Brewing Co.) and brewer Sean McIntyre of North Country Brewing Co. in Slippery Rock, as well as businessman and now brewer Mark Kegg.

Using equipment already on site from the closed John Harvard's Brew House in Wilkins, they could have beer on the market in a matter of weeks to supply the Rivertownes as well as possibly North Country and, eventually, other outlets.

We'll look forward to writing more about Full Pint in the future.

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