| The
best beer in NEW YORK & BROOKLYN Brewtopia Events LLC www.ClassicCityBrew.com Posted - January 2004 |
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| The
best beer in NEW YORK & BROOKLYN Brewtopia Events LLC www.ClassicCityBrew.com Posted - January 2004 |
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Photos and text by Owen Ogletree
Owen always welcomes your e-mail and input.
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Brewtopia Events
Commercial Beers
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Upper West Side Manhattan  340 Amsterdam Ave. New York ph: 212-721-2161 This former brewpub is now a beer bar with a selection of 24 decent taps including selections from Magic Hat, Sierra Nevada, Brooklyn Brewing, Southampton Brewing, etc. The beautiful bar is made of dark woodwork and the food consists of pub grub, seafood, pizzas/pastas, and sandwiches. Westside is one of the best beer bars in the Upper West Side of Central Park area.   1394 York Ave. at 74th St. New York ph: 212-734-6152 Copperfield's is widely known as one of New York's best beer bars. They offer one cask ale (ask for a sample) and 30 taps that feature beers from Weyerbacher, Rogue, Southampton, Bear Republic, Smuttynose, Stone, and more. Kasteel Triple, Abbaye des Rocs, Boon Kriek, Rochefort, Westvleteren, and Aventinus were the standouts on the bottled beer list. If you are hungry, try their fish and chips, BBQ, salads, burgers, or sandwiches. Heidelberg 1648 Second Ave. (between 85th and 86th Streets) New York ph: 212-628-2332 This old, family run German restaurant is very authentic. It has delicious food and a decent selection of German beers. Midtown Manhattan - South of Central Park   Heartland Brewery
1285 Ave. of the Americas at 51st St. New York ph: 212-582-8244 This New York chain of brewpubs also has locations at 35 Union Square West, 127 West 43rd Street, and 93 South Street at Fulton. My favorite is the Avenue of the Americas location near Radio City Music Hall where Kelly Taylor is the brewer. Kelly cranks out some very clean craft brews like Cornhusker Lager (with midwestern malts and flaked maize), Harvest Wheat (mild and smooth American wheat beer), Red Rooster Ale (caramel malts), Indiana Pale Ale (resiny hop aroma and nice bitter flavor), Farmer John's Oatmeal Stout (GABF medal winner), and a rotating list list of three seasonals (including the powerful and tasty Full Moon Barleywine). Try the beer sampler that comes with five small pours of their house brews. The menu is outstanding brewpub fare with chicken, steaks, and seafood.  120 West 44th Street New York ph: 212-840-8413 This Scottish pub is located near some of the Broadway theaters close to Times Square. The interior has lovely decor and the wait staff all wear kilts. There are 80 bottled beers to choose from and 18 taps with an emphasis on fine ales from the UK. There is a long side bar that runs the length of the pub with front and back dining areas. Aye, here you'll find a wee bit of the highlands in Manhattan!  735 8th Ave. (near W. 48th Street) New York ph: 212-721-2161 Collins Bar is a fantastic beer bar that is popular with the local crowd. It has a very interesting, unusual beer selection with a wide range of microbrews and Belgian ales. The staff seems to be very knowledgeable about their beer menu as well. You'll find ten taps here and many fine bottles. This is a small bar with tables to the right and dart boards in the back.  5 Penn Plaza New York ph: 212-630-0249 Several blocks south of Times Square down 7th Avenue, you will find a delightful Irish Pub. Tir Na Nog has Chimay and Duvel in bottles and 22 draft handles with some fine wheat beers, Guinness, and their own Stout (made for them by Budweiser). There is a great pub menu available, and many sports fans eat here before or after games at Madison Square Garden located nearby.  11 E. 36th St. at Madison New York ph: 212-532-3740 Just a few blocks walk from Tir Na Nog is one of Manhattan's very best beer bars -- the Gingerman pub has around 60 draft beers and over 120 bottled beers from which to choose. When I visited in December of 2003, their most awe-inspiring beers were: Victory Hop Devil, Arrogant Bastard, Bigfoot Barleywine, Celebrator, Young's Chocolate Stout, DeKonick Winter, Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, De Dolle Mad Bitch, Rochefort 8, Saison Dupont Moinet, Westvleteren 8, Fuller's Vintage Ale, World Wide Stout, Weyerbacher Blithering Idiot, and Hair of the Dog Adam. Don't leave New York without a visit to the Gingerman! More places to visit in this area if time permits: Typhoon Brewery, 22 E. 54th Street, New York, ph: 212-754-9006 A brewpub that serves Thai food? You'd only find this in New York! Typhoon opens for dinner only and has a selection of light, house made beers to accompany their spicy entrees. Hallo Berlin, 626 10th Ave. at 44th Street, New York, ph: 212-977-1944 This small German cafe/restaurant is very casual and has the best wurst in New York. There are a dozen taps here and a pretty impressive selection of German beers in bottles (Einbecker, Celebrator Double Bock, Aventinus, Berliner Weisse, etc.). The place was very quiet the night we visited and the wait staff was not in a very good mood. Maggie's Place, 21 E. 47th Street at Madison Ave., New York, ph: 212-753-5757 Maggie's is an Irish pub and restaurant. Dinner reservations are recommended. Artisanal, 32nd Street between Madison and Park Ave., New York, ph: 212-725-8585 Artisanal is a restaurant not known for its beer (although it does serve Leffe Belgian ale), but I am including it here because of its incredible selection of around 200 cheeses from around the world. Call for a reservation and stop in for a Leffe with some cheese samplers and a meal. Nothing goes better with beer than cheese. Chelsea - West Side Waterfront
Piers
 Pier 59, Chelsea Piers New York ph: 212-336-6440 Chelsea brewpub is one of the very best beer destinations in Manhattan. This establishment is a really attractive brewpub and microbrewery located on the edge of downtown on the Hudson River with an enclosed golf driving range pointing out toward the water on a pier. It is part of a large entertainment and shopping complex that has been built on the old piers. Pictured above is head brewer Chris Sheehan who is very talented in turning out some flavorful beers that are served in their brewpub and distributed in kegs to many other bars in the area. Beers on tap in late 2003 included: Checker Cab Blonde (Kolsch style), Pier 59 Pale Ale (nice Cascade hop flavor), Sunset Red (Cascade and Centennial hops with four caramel malts), Tsar's Revenge (strong Imperial Stout), and Blackberry Wheat (wheat beer with a hint of blackberry extract). South Central - East Side
Manhattan
 540 2nd Ave. New York ph: 212-696-4104 Waterfront is a respected beer bar with 18 interesting taps from Brooklyn, Anchor, Weyerbacher, Dogfish Head, etc., and almost 65 bottles with some flavorful strong ales and Belgian selections. There is a popcorn machine, and food specials are listed on a chalkboard behind the bar (if you are hungry for something more substantial).  41 East 20th Street (near Park Ave. South) New York ph: 212-254-3611 This German-American restaurant features a very impressive selection of German, Belgian, and beers from the UK. German beers from Schneider, Ayinger, Erdinger, Spaten, Hacker-Pschorr, and Weihenstephan round out their list. This is an attractive place with a dining room in the back.  281 3rd Ave. New York ph: 212-473-8718 One of the most popular German restaurants in Manhattan is Rolf's. Call ahead to make a reservation, show up on time, and still be prepared for a wait. If you head to Rolf's around Christmas, be ready for a winter wonderland inside with every square foot decorated with lights and ornaments. The beer list includes some nice German lagers and wheat beers -- and be sure to try the potato pancakes (yummy). Food portions are huge.   41 E. 7th Street New York's East Village ph: 212-420-0671 This is a pair of fantastic beer pubs that are next door to one another and owned by the same person. Brewsky's is the more typical bar that has some very atypical taps -- there are usually some really bold draft beer selections and a bottle list that goes on and on (with beers from Allagash, Chimay, Rochefort, J.W. Lees, Liefman's, Scaldis, Thomas Hardy, Corsendonk, and many more). Burp Castle is like an eccentric church shrine to great beer -- the walls are adorned with religious/historical murals and there is European choir music playing over the speakers. The bartenders at Burp Castle wear the garb of brewing monks from Belgium and pour beers from 12 taps that include some high end Belgian and European ales. The bottle list is the same for each pub. In reverence for the beer, loud conversation is not allowed in Burp Castle -- it is truly a religious experience for the beer lover!  41 1st Ave. New York ph: 212-475-5097 With locations in New York and New Orleans, d.b.a. is a name that is well known with beer aficionados. The New York location has some of the best maintained cask ales in the city (clean in flavor and served at the right temperature of 50 degrees F) and and a huge beer list on a series of chalkboards above the bar. The bartender was so busy on the night I arrived, I had to take a flash picture of her to get her attention (above). This is one of the greatest beer destinations in the city.  Swift's 34 East 4th St. New York ph: 212-227-9438 Swift's pub has very good draft choices including some fine beers from Brooklyn Brewing. This is an attractive Scottish/Irish pub with murals and a big, dark wooden back room.  171 Ave. C (between 10th and 11th Streets) New York ph: 212-375-0723 Micky's is a small, friendly, neighborhood bar with baseball hats all over the blue walls. There are ten taps here that include Magic Hat, Sierra Nevada, Beamish, and others. Bottled beer standouts include: Aventinus, Corsendonk, Chimay, Achouffe, and Duvel. There are dart boards, pool tables, and a killer juke box in the side bar. Happy hour runs Monday through Saturday until 9 pm and Sunday until 10 pm. More places to visit in this area if time permits: Pete's Tavern, 129 East 18th Street, New York, ph: 212-473-7676 This is the oldest original bar in New York city. Pete's has 16 standard beer taps, tasty menu items, and a load of history. McSorley's Ale House, 15 East 7th Street, (212) 473-9148 Very famous old pub with their own dark and light contract brews on tap and sawdust all over the floor. The pub was founded around 1854. Zum Schneider, 107 Ave. C (near 7th Street), (212) 598-1098 Great German restaurant and pub. Go early for dinner to avoid the crowds. Croxley Ales, 28 Avenue B (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues), (212) 253-6140 Loreley, 17 Rivington St. (between Bowery and Chrystie Streets), (212) 253-7077 German beer garden and restaurant. Prince Street Bar, 125 Prince Street, (212) 228-8130 Southwest
Manhattan - Greenwich Village Area
 118 Greenwich Ave. New York ph: 212-206-1830 This excellent Belgian restaurant has good mussels and many fine Belgian ales in authentic glassware. Cafe des Bruxelles is like a slice of Belgium in the heart of Greenwich Village.  567 Hudson Street New York ph: 212-243-9260 Opened in the 1880's, the White Horse is definitely one of the oldest pubs in New York. The bar is right inside the front door and there are two dining rooms off to the left. This place has a friendly, comfortable feel about it; and there are 8 beer taps and around a dozen bottles to choose from. Pub menu is very standard.  518 Hudson Street at W. 10th St. New York ph: 212-675-3848 Please don't miss the Blind Tiger. It is a spartan pub with an old wooden bar and booths, but it is definitely a NYC beer legend. There are usually 25 excellent beers on draft and one cask ale. Taps in late December, 2003 included: Brooklyn Hefe-weisse, Heavyweight CinderBrrr, Winter DeKoninck, Magic Hat #9, Sierra Nevada Celebration, Arrogant Bastard, Heavyweight Old Salty, Southampton French Country Christmas Ale, Dogfish Head 60 Min. IPA, DeGroen's Weizenbock, among others. Great bottled beers like Rochefort, Sam Smith's, Allagash, and many Belgians are also available. Happy hour happens from noon to 8 pm.  418 6th Ave. New York ph: 212-477-8744 This was once a brewpub, but now their beers are contract brewed by Chelsea Brewing Company (see Chelsea's listing above). There are also around 20 usual bottled beers and 11 or so high-end bottles like Aventinus, Lindeman's, De Dolle, Duvel, and Sam Smith's. Food here is mostly pub fare with some grilled meats, burritos, fajitas, pizzas, and pastas.  466 Hudson Street New York ph: 212-741-6479 If you like authentic Belgian mussels and frites (Belgian fries), there is no better place in New York than this tiny restaurant in Greenwich Village. With only nine tables, it is fun, friendly, and cozy. Menu items like omelets, mussels, sandwiches, and salmon are sure to please. They have no draft beer, but the bottled selections include Chimay, DeKoninck, Duvel and Corsendonk. 
 86 Bedford Street New York ph: 212-675-4449 Finding this former "speakeasy" pub takes a bit of effort as there are no external signs for Chumbley's. Look for the small doorway (pictured above) off Bedford (a small side street) in the West Village. This old bar is loaded with history and personality -- and is quite dog friendly. There are eight house beers made by Chelsea Brewing Company -- Bitter, Stout, Lager, Pilsner, Wheat, Irish Red, etc.  Peculier Pub
145 Bleecker Street New York ph: 212-353-1327 This is a very old pub in Soho with a loyal clientele and very decent draft and bottle selection. There are 25 beers on tap at Peculier and a very earthy, crusty atmosphere. More places to visit in this area if time permits: Jekyll and Hyde Pub, 91 7th Ave. South, New York, ph: 212-989-7701 This pub is more like a haunted house than a traditional bar. There are amusing decorations throughout the place along with a very standard selection of beers. Vol De Nuit, 148 West 4th Street, New York, ph: 212-979-2616 This Belgian pub is tucked away down a small alley/walkway off W. 4th Street -- be on the lookout or you will walk right past it. It opens in the evenings and has 10 Belgian beers on draft and around 25 bottles. North Brooklyn 
 79 N. 11th Street Brooklyn ph: 718-486-7422 Take the subway or a taxi across the East River and be sure to visit the Brooklyn Brewery on Fridays 6-10 pm and Saturdays 1-5 pm (tours are every hour on Saturday - no reservations necessary for groups under ten). Garrett Oliver (head brewer) has produced some exceptional brews and brought brewing back to the Brooklyn area. The Chocolate Stout is amazing, and if you are lucky you may get a visit from the brewery cat while enjoying your beer in the tasting room.  Brooklyn Ale House 103 Berry Street Brooklyn ph: 718-302-9811 The Brooklyn Ale House is just a short walk from the Brooklyn Brewery. Jennifer is a wonderful bartender and the entire staff here is very beer literate and will be happy to help you chose a pint. There are 14 impressive taps with nice regional and seasonal brews and a huge bottle selection to please any beer lover. There are peanuts at the bar and a pool table in the back.  Mug's Ale House 125 Bedford Ave. Brooklyn ph: 718-384-8494 Mug's is only three blocks away from the Brooklyn Ale House and also has a big bottle selection that features some rich, high gravity brews. This is a neighborhood beer bar with 20 taps that exhibit very intelligent choices in beer. There is pub grub and new beers listed on the board behind the bar.  Spuyten Duyvil 359 Metropolitan Ave. Brooklyn ph: 718-963-4140 If you are a beer lover (or are trying to learn more about beer), BE SURE to get yourself to the Spuyten Duyvil and give them some money! This Belgian pub has a jaw-dropping selection of some of the most rare and wonderful ales available today! Some of the best imports and regional micros you'll have in the New York area will be here... Fantome, Hanssen's Lambics, Cantillon Lambics, and the best craft beers from the best breweries in the United States. This pub has a quiet, relaxing atmosphere in which to enjoy your exquisite beer. Two cask ales are also available. Don't miss the Spuyten Duyvil -- it is only a 7-8 block walk south of Brooklyn Ale House. Bar Matchless, 557 Manhattan Ave., Brooklyn, ph: 718-383-5333 Mark Bar, 1025 Manhattan Ave., Brooklyn, ph: 718-349-2340 The Mark Bar is an excellent pub with a fine selection of beers. It is a bit out of the way -- about 20 blocks north of Brooklyn Brewery. Take a taxi there if you have time. South Brooklyn Area Park Slope Brewing, 356
Sixth Ave., Brooklyn, ph: 718-788-1756
Park Slope is no longer a brewpub, but now is a beer bar and restaurant. They have a good selection of regional microbrews available. Gate, 321 5th Ave., Brooklyn, ph: 718-768-4329 Comfortable bar with a variety of tables and good draft selection. Lighthouse Tavern, 243 5th Ave., Brooklyn, ph: 718-788-8070 Food, 16 drafts, and several bottled beers are available. Sparky's Ale House, 481 Court St., Brooklyn, ph: 718-624-5516 Two dozen draft beers (samplers are available) and some cask ales are served here. The Brazen Head, 228 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, ph: 718-488-0430 Waterfront Ale House, 155 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, ph: 718-522-3794 Similar to their Manhattan location discussed above. American Beer Distributing, 256 Court St., Brooklyn, ph: 718-875-0226 The best retail beer store in the city. They also have a big selection of beer glasses from around the world. |