Beer, Beer, Beer

Pennsylvania has a remarkable number of "firsts" in its history. We had the first root beer, the first potato chips, the first Zippo lighters, etc.

But what about beer? Do we have any firsts in that category?

Yes, we do, and here are a few of them.

Root beer invented in 1876.

First pull-tab on cans - 1962, Iron City Brewery.

Oldest American Commercial Brewery -- 1829, Yuengling in Pottsville

First Lite Beer with Taste (sort of) -- The Ortlieb Brewing Company got it right when it produced a TV commercial that told viewers: "You want light beer? Just add ice cubes to my beer, it's cheaper."

Good old Ortlieb. No muss, no fuss. Just tell it like it is.

Pittsburgh, the Iron City

There is just one Pittsburgh in America. It's our Iron City. There are many cities in America that spell their name "Pittsburg." There is even one in PA. It is in Lancaster County.

But our Pittsburgh has an "h" at the end of the "burg." Not many cities do that in America. That style is found in a few place names, and curiously enough, most of them are also in Pennsylvania.

Even Pittsburgh was once known as "Pittsburg" for a short time, but the good citizens put an end to that officially in 1911.

Pittsburgh was given its name in 1758 by General John Forbes in honor of Sir William Pitt. Rumor has it that since Forbes was a Scotsman, he intended Pittsburgh to be pronounced "Pitts bur ra," which is how you would pronounce similar towns in Scotland. For example, Edinburgh is pronounced "Ed in bur ra."

The Iron City has a lot of nicknames. You can use: City of Bridges, Steel City, City of Champions, The 'Burgh, Iron City, The Smoky City, Steel Town, The College City, Roboburgh.

Give it time. They'll come up with some more, but it will always be Pittsburgh, no matter what they call it.