A lawsuit to go? Utility says Iron City Brewing left it flat

PITTSBURGH - A Pittsburgh utility is threatening to take departed Iron City Brewing to court if the company does not pay $1 million that the utility says it is owed.

The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority approved a resolution Friday saying it will "pursue any and all legal remedies" to get the money back.

Utility concessions in 2007 allowed the Pittsburgh brewing icon to emerge from bankruptcy. But now Iron City has shifted production from its 148-year-old Lawrenceville brewery to Latrobe, about 40 miles away, and the utility is owed the money, company officials said.

Iron City will stand by its commitments and hopes to avoid a court battle, president Timothy Hickman said. Brewery officials estimate the debt is $450,000.

The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has a projected $2 million budget deficit, utility officials said. That could prompt them to raise rates or dip into a $40 million reserve.