Pizza Tour: Common Oven Pizza Co. and Strange Roots Experimental Ales

Join me for some pizza and beer.

Strange Roots Experimental Ales in New Kensington is a vibrant taproom that blends farmhouse brewing traditions with bold, locally inspired experimentation. Located at 977 5th Avenue, this spot is known for its funky, wild, and mixed fermentation beers that push the boundaries of craft brewing. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with a rustic charm enhanced by repurposed materials—like a high-gloss wood counter salvaged from a shuttered bowling alley.

The taproom features a full kitchen operated by Common Oven Pizza Co., serving up wood-fired artisan pizzas that are anything but ordinary. Their dough is crafted from a blend of organic flour and whole grains, fermented with sourdough and milled in-house for a deep, rustic flavor. Every pie is baked in a blazing hot oven, giving it that perfect charred crust and chewy interior.
They make their own fresh mozzarella by hand, and it shows—especially when paired with toppings like hot honey, ricotta, arugula, or roasted mushrooms. Signature pies like the Ricotta Arugula or the Hot Honey with added mushroom and ricotta are local favorites. And if you’re feeling adventurous, they also offer specials like a prosciutto white pie or a tomato pie loaded with veggies and bold sauce.