The roving tour known as the International Great Beer Expo returned just across the Hudson River on Saturday for two jam packed sessions of imbibing for enthusiastic crowds. Swarms of groups headed out to the Meadowlands Exposition Center in nearby Secaucus, New Jersey- a brief 18 minute bus ride from Manhattan- joining dozens of breweries and more than a hundred and fifty different varieties of beers. And with each three and a half hour session priced at just $42, there was no reason not to attend the festive afternoon at such a reasonable cost.

This wasn’t our first time tackling the International Great Beer Expo as the 2012 and 2013 events had established LocalBozo.com as seasoned veterans of the sudsy festival. With some advance planning this year, we picked up a bag of Snyders ‘Old Fashioned’ Pretzels and some yarn and put together a bulky pretzel necklace to take bites from while running around from beer station to beer station and unsurprisingly, we weren’t alone in this regard. With busloads of guests arriving from Manhattan and resident New Jersey-ians trekking in from all over the Garden State, there were several hundred guests anxiously anticipating the Expo’s 12:30pm start time.

Upon entering, attendees were handed a plastic commemorative tasting glass to fill with all of the day’s exciting beer offerings- most of which came from smaller relatively unknown microbreweries. As we waited for the proverbial curtain to be lifted on the afternoon, we spent a few minutes perusing the different silent auction lots which featured everything from trips to the Super Bowl to autographed photos of New Jersey legends Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen amid a sea of sports memorabilia. All of the proceeds raised would go to support the Beer for Brains Foundation, a nonprofit focused on brain cancer awareness, catered specifically toward the craft beer community. Aside from the dozens of items up for bid, the Expo also offered up some interactive beer related seminars including pairing beers with chocolate and cheese as well as a guide to homebrewing for the adventurous beer creator. And if that weren’t enough, vendors selling a variety of hot sauces, jerkys and beer related merchandise were placed throughout the massive room as well to provide plenty of distractions from the many taps of beer.

With the remaining hoopla now set aside, it was time to begin tasting some delicious beers and fortunately the International Great Beer Expo had some truly phenomenal newbies alongside some of our favorite brew staples. We’ve grown quite fond of the fruit beer movement and recently Sea Dog Brewing Company’s ‘Blueberry Wheat’ has been our ale of choice at craft beer tastings. The blueberries are noticeable without overwhelming the crisp drinkable beer in an undeniably refreshing way. Saturday we were introduced to Shofferhofer’s ‘Grapefruit,’ a similarly refreshing hefeweizen style beer that is smooth and summery- which would have been a nice change of pace from the wintry mix we encountered this weekend. The grapefruit flavor is more prominent here, but still, a very distinctive entrant into the fruit beer realm. We also seriously enjoyed Boaks’ from Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. The beermakers’ ‘Two Blind Monks Ale’ was a darker amber colored beer with a heavy malt-infused flavor. Both smooth and balanced, this became among our favorite new tastings of the Expo.

Alongside domestic pours, we also sipped on some international flavor as well, pausing for several minutes at Moretti, Asahi and the Peroni tables to sample some of the more familiar brews. Stopping at Hofbrau Munchen, their ‘Hefe Weizen’ has for years been one of our favorites with its golden color that signifies how a freshly poured beer should look. Subtly sweet, the beer has a tremendous banana aroma with a clean crisp finish. Alternatively less flavorful was the Cerveza Aguila- light with a touch of hoppiness that resembles your basic drinkable light beer albeit with a different label. Among some other larger brew purveyors that we really enjoyed- Blue Moon’s ‘Valencia Amber Ale’- a sweet, citrusy beer that has even more orange than you’d expect from a Blue Moon, Dos Equis’ ‘Amber Lager’- a light bodied malty copper colored beer that would pair excellently with Mexican fare, and McSorley’s Ale- poured at the Pabst Blue Ribbon table- because sometimes you just want a gold old fashioned English style beer without the bells and whistles.

As the daytime session began to tail off, it was easy to see that guests were all enjoying a noticeable buzz. But there’ s something about the annual New Jersey event that always seems to attract some of the most friendly and enthusiastic beer drinkers that you’ll encounter anywhere. There were no fights, no harsh words, no nonsense. The International Great Beer Expo, hosted by the folks at Starfish Junction, was once again an unparalleled success for its producers and its attendees alike. For more information on the Expo’s next stops, check out their site here and become a part of one of the northeast’s most well run and infinitely fun craft beer festivals.

Wednesday evening brought some of the biggest names in beer and liquor together for a weeknight winter tasting event that needed three full floors of event space to house all of the participants. More than 125 breweries and 25 distilleries gathered together for an event aptly dubbed “The Craft Experience,” a three hour drink and local food tasting that served several hundred impressionable guests. What was different about “The Craft Experience” however, was the ability for attendees to chat with the beermakers themselves- and even some of the founders of each brewery- to taste some beers for the first time and to learn a bit more than we knew before.

On perhaps the coldest night of the season so far, guests fell in line down 22nd Street toward Tenth Avenue with tickets and IDs in hand to enter the tri-level venue. The all white space was particularly fitting for “The Craft Experience” because with so much room, the event never felt stuffy or overcrowded which can be the peril of many similar tastings. Quickly climbing the stairs, we grabbed our commemorative glasses and headed out to familiar territory. Each brewery had multiple beers on hand for the evening and once we spotted our pals from The Bronx Brewery we made sure to grab a pour of their “Black Pale Ale,” available seasonally for colder months. Deliciously medium bodied, the hints of dark cocoa and coffee were evident from the first sip. The beer is an ideal alternative to their American style “Pale Ale,” our favorite of any available in the genre.

Just a few steps away, we were treated to perhaps the freshest beer we’ve ever had before. Troegs‘ “Perpetual IPA” had literally been brewed and canned a mere nine hours before the event kicked off so we made sure to grab a healthy sized pour of the beer. Sporting a solidly fruity nose, the beer was golden in color and meshed equal components of sweet and bitter which made it incredibly drinkable. With some additional pours from the likes of Smuttynose Brewing Company, Flying Dog Brewery, and one of our perpetual favorites, Narragansett Brewing Company, including their new tasty “Bohemian Pilsner,” it was time to grab some eats. While there wasn’t a ton of food, offerings like Pelzers Pretzels, Brooklyn Kitchen‘s savory hot dogs, Landhaus‘ tasty “Maple Bacon on a Stick,” and The Jeffrey/Alewife‘s steak tartare were all noteworthy compliments to the beers on hand.

Non-beer drinkers were treated to some interesting alternatives as well. Mixologists from Blueprint Brands were crafting a variety of different cocktails in the center island on the second floor, while the likes of Dulce Vida Organic Tequila, Bittermens, and even Smart Wine Company were all pouring nearby. But for us on this night, it was all about the beers and ciders. We sipped on a variety of sweet ciders from Original Sin, Naked Flock, and Doc’s Draft, as well as Crispin/Fox Barrel, whose brand we were tasting for the very first time. The “Pacific Pear,” dubbed an apple cider had more of a dry pear flavor, light bodied and lightly carbonated as far as refreshing ciders go. We made a few final stops at some more of our favorite breweries- Lagunitas, Blue Point Brewing, and at Victory Brewing Company where we chatted up the regional sales reps and founder/brewmaster Bill Covaleski. Pours of Victory’s “Winter Cheers” went down very smooth, uniquely combining the styles of a Hefeweizen and winter ale admirably. Hints of citrus and banana could be tasted throughout each sip with a pleasing array of hops to boot. This is definitely a nice change of pace beer suitable for cold winter months.

“The Craft Experience” was just that- an experience. Three full hours of imbibing and some light eating at a perfectly reasonable price inside of a spacious venue? The participants were more than happy to chat with anyone nearby, often leading to engrossing conversations about beers and the methodology behind the craft of creating them, by some of the most inventive minds in the business. Whether you came out to “The Craft Experience” simply to get your drink on with some friends or to discuss the particulars of the inclusion of yeast and hops in some of the evening’s finer tastes, there’s no doubt that you managed to get your money’s worth. And that’s something that we can all tip our glasses to.

Tavern 29
47 East 29th Street between Park and Madison Avenues, New York, NY
212-685-4422
Getting There: 6 to 28th Street
http://www.tavern29.com

Boulton & Watt
5 Avenue A, East Village, Manhattan
646-490-6004
Getting There: F to 2nd Avenue

As the “Drink Here Now” crew gets older we have learned to truly appreciate change. In a space once inhabited by the outdated dive bar Nice Guy Eddie’s, a new watering hole has taken it’s place yielding terrific results. In the past year a forward thinking team has taken over this prized corner location to help improve the neighborhood one beer at a time. It’s Boulton & Watt and on a recent weekday the crew and I decided to step inside after months of just talking about going.

In the late afternoon we passed through their tall glass front door and inside the highly eclectic space that transports the customer to a relaxed environment for some seriously good spirits. Once seated at the bar we took a few minutes to soak in everything that was going down. Their draught lines sport some of New York City’s greatest craft beers and at happy hour, pours were just $5 along with equally priced wines. We ordered up some frosty pints of Brooklyn’s own Kelso Pilsner and a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc. As we sipped our drinks, we chatted with the Irish bartender who gave us some great advice on where to visit when we make it to the Emerald Isle. We pounded some beers and got some culture all at once.

As we moved onto more beer and wine, we took some time to truly drink in the decor of Boulton & Watt. The owners really put a wealth of care (and money) into redesigning the space. Old school belt fans and gear and pulley systems line the light brick walls providing customers with a ton of eye candy while they drink and eat. The music, while it was present with some bluesy rock, was far from overpowering allowing people to talk to each other without screaming. We can honestly say that change is good. Sometimes it’s healthy to be out with the old and in with the new and Boulton & Watt proves that and then some.

The Rundown

Bar Type - Laid back, eclectically designed craft beer and cocktail bar

When to Visit – If you want to truly appreciate Boulton & Watt, then make your way over on a weekday evening to get both a seat and drink in the cool decor. The brunch here is also dynamite.

Value – Weekday specials will keep your liver and wallet very happy with $5 draft beers and wine and $2 jars filled with pickles.

The Lowdown - In a space formerly inhabited by an outdated dive bar, the team behind Boulton & Watt have taken several solid measures to provide patrons with a terrific bar experience with great value. The food, it should be mentioned, is nothing to shake a stick at- far exceeding run of the mill bar fare. Whether grabbing a drink or grabbing a bite, make your way over to the area and pop a squat at Boulton & Watt.

4th Avenue Pub
76 4th Avenue, Park Slope, Brooklyn
718-643-2273
Getting There: D,N,R to Atlantic Avenue – Pacific Street

The “Drink Here Now” crew is back this week to get your weekend started on the right foot with a serious craft beer bar in Brooklyn with one of the most laid back vibes imaginable. Sure, we have taken you through the boroughs to joints that pour this small batch nectar but perhaps none captures the essence of a relaxing watering hole for grabbing good beer in a somewhat divey space than the 4th Avenue Pub. The crew and I are no strangers to this bar that borders the upscale Park Slope and up and coming neighborhood of Gowanus. 4th Avenue Pub is known for its vast selection of quality craft beers, some of which we had never heard of previously. It also doesn’t hurt that they offer free popcorn to patrons with plenty of Old Bay spice to boot!

On a recent spring afternoon we made our way inside from the bustling street that now borders the Barclays Center, firmly putting this bar on the pre-game circuit. After grabbing a few baskets of popcorn, we sat at the bar filled with other daytime drinkers (this is our kind of place). The bar is known for their selection of ever rotating brews and therefore, it was important for us to consult the bartender before blindly making selections for what we would imbibe. With the near summer heat blazing through the door, the bartender recommended we gulp glasses of “Blue Point White IPA,” “Smuttynose Summer Weizen Ale,” and “Ommegang Belgian Pale Ale.” Each ran us roughly $6. After taking our first sip, we had to hand it to him- these beers were summer in a glass! Once we had a few more it was easy to kick back and take in the scenery.

Patrons may not realize this upon first viewing but 4th Avenue Pub has a terrific outdoor seating area that exists just down a flight of stairs. So when the weather is agreeable you should grab your pints and friends to head outside for a ton more daytime fun. On this day it happened to be slightly rainy so we were more than happy to stay inside and people watch out of the bar’s huge window onto the ever exciting show that is downtown Brooklyn. The bar is known to host several events and tastings by some of the best craft brewers going today. These one off events are a perfect way to expose one’s self to some killer suds before most of the public gets wind of it. A few years ago we found out about New Jersey’s own Carton Brewing Company here and haven’t stopped drinking it since. So what are you waiting for? Grab a stool, kick back and consult your bartender! 

Bar Type – Craft beer centric bar with a rare divey feel to it. During the warmer months patrons can enjoy their outside drinking patio.

When to Visit – We think anytime is fine for visiting the pub. But do yourself a favor and try to attend one of their amazing events and tastings.

Value – It’s all about quality here. So expect to pay a dollar or two more when ordering your beer of choice.

The Lowdown – It’s rare to find a popular craft beer bar be this laid back on all fronts. Sure, there are plenty of joints with similar style citywide but 4th Avenue Pub truly makes you feel at home.

Alphabet City Beer Co.
96 Ave C, East Village, Manhattan
646-422-7103
Getting There: L to First Avenue

Do you realize that the East Village’s Avenue C used to be nicknamed “Caution” in the not so distant past? Alphabet City was once a very shady area where most city dwellers didn’t dare travel to. Needless to say, a lot has changed in the last ten years. Avenue C and this area in general has been morphed into a thriving headquarters for commerce and cool. The “Drink Here Now” crew loves it when a neighborhood truly comes into it’s own and becomes a place prime for some serious imbibing. With Alphabet City Beer Co., we find ourselves inside of an extremely laid back craft beer store, bar and specialty shop. We stopped by “ABC” on a recent weeknight for a few delicious pints and some rest and relaxation.

As we passed through the glass door to travel inside, our initial thought was that this place was purely a shop selling the sweet hoppy nectar we adore so much. The wood adorned space has two hulking refrigerators on both sides, housing an intimidating yet impressive selection of bottled beers to be purchased as single bottles or combined into makeshift six packs. The establishment has upwards of 350 bottles to choose from, giving you a selection that blows any local bodega completely out of the water. Growlers are also available to fill any huge thirst needs. But just be forewarned, patrons aren’t allowed to actually consume bottles or growlers in the store due to policy. So stock up on the good stuff and bring it home to impress the ones you love to booze with. Don’t worry friends, the good people at “ABC” aren’t going to let you go home thirsty. This innovative bar-shop has plenty to drink while kicking back within their warm walls. Alphabet City Beer Co. has 12 constantly rotating taps to please any taste.

I opted to grab my pints at their bar which also doubles as a counter to order specialty meats and cheeses. The wood theme continues in a bold way, making one think they are in some rural joint and not the middle of New York City. In the back of the house, guests can cozy up at several chairs and a long bier hall style table. Luckily for us, our visit fell during Happy Hour where tap brews were $1 off. Typically pints will run you on average between $6 and $8 dollars, so we were thrilled about the value. We asked for caramel styled beers and were advised to try the “Greenport Harbor Havre Rouge,” a brown ale loaded with crisp, semi-sweet flavor which perfected satisfied our thirst. Next we opted for a serious pilsner and we were presented with an “Oskar Blues Mama’s Little Yella Pils.” This brew is perfect for summer sipping with it’s slightly sour flavor and light body. So if you want to kick back with a fine beer in a great space while getting some shopping done at the same time then we wholeheartedly believe you should “Drink Here Now” at Alphabet City Beer Co.

Bar Type – A hybrid craft beer store and bar with a seemingly endless selection of outstanding ales to enjoy inside or in the comfort of your own home.

When to Visit – If you are into kicking back and letting your worries melt away, then head over on a weekday in the late afternoon. You and your friends will have plenty of space to relax and try twelve tap beers while you munch on delicious cured meats.

Value – Craft beer in general is not cheap. But “ABC” offers a great $1 off Happy Hour that allows patrons to drink what they like without worrying about spending too much cash.

The Lowdown – The crew and I have been to several bars that pour some of the best craft beers in the country. Yet there is something about the charm of Alphabet City Beer Co. that makes the drinking experience that much more enjoyable. From the beautiful space to the friendly and knowledgeable staff they truly have a lot going in their favor and you will definitely see us in there again in short order.

The Keg Room
53 West 36th Street, Midtown West, Manhattan
212-643-1400
Getting There: B,D,F,M to 42nd Street-Bryant Park

The “Drink Here Now” crew knows that navigating Midtown Manhattan is often a daunting task. With so many restaurants and bars based solely on the tourist trade, a New Yorker has to be very discerning on where they spend their hard earned cash. But breathe easy New Yorkers, that’s why you’ve got us. Enter “The Keg Room,” a gigantic craft beer centric sports bar located smack in the middle of the Midtown crush, but without any of the pitfalls one would usually encounter in this area. On a recent weeknight the crew and I wanted to grab some pints, some wine and some grub, so we stopped into The Keg Room’s massive space for a bit of all three.

Opened in December of 2012, the less than a year old bar has plenty to boast about even in it’s early age. As we entered the front door our jaws nearly hit the floor when we spotted the huge rectangular bar which has been noted as one of the biggest in the city. This bar literally covers so much square footage that no one will go thirsty. Add to that to the fact that The Keg Room is outfitted with over 43+ beers on draft, 37 bottled beers and several rotating seasonal beers. As customers hang around the giant bar they will have absolutely no reason to be bored, as almost every wall is plastered with oversized HDTV screens. Sports fans’ mouths will water as they capture all the action any place in the house. As far as bars perfect for watching “The Super Bowl,” The Keg Room has it nailed.

On this particular night standing at the bar wasn’t our forte. The crew and I quickly secured a table near that back of the house for waitress service. We grabbed some pints of Sam Adams’ Spring seasonal ($7) and glasses of Pinot Noir ($9). Since drinking goes best with eating, the Buffalo style “Wings” ($10) were ordered as well to munch on. And even though the bar was hopping during this time, our drinks and wings came out fairly quickly. The beer was crisp, without the slightest taste of bitterness while the wings were seriously the cherry on top. We ordered them medium spiced and they arrived steaming and saucy. Each bite yielded a truck load of meaty flavor.

The crew and I are thrilled whenever we find a bar in Midtown worth patronizing. The Keg Room satisfies this simple goal and so much more. From the tasty brews, tons of space and killer television sets we’ve found a real winner here. It’s the upscale,classy sports bar that even a non-sports fan can identify with.

Bar Type – Gigantic Midtown West sports bar with a seasonal craft beer menu on constant rotation. 

When to Visit – Any day of the week is fine but we recommend heading to The Keg Room directly after work and during big games to experience this joint at it’s full capacity. 

Value – Most domestic beer bottles will run you between $7 to $8, about par for the course in the heart of Midtown. Craft brews may run you slightly more but nothing that will break the bank. 

The Lowdown – Boasting some incredible square footage The Keg Room has room for literally everyone. Be it watching the big game, having a quick meal or grabbing pints of cold brews, they have something for every taste. Sports fans mouths’ will water at the hulking HDTV screens outfitted throughout the bar. They seriously pepper in enough of these so each patron pretty much has their own TV for whatever game they came for.

Proletariat
102 St Marks Pl, East Village, Manhattan
212-777-6707
Getting There: 6 to Astor Place

When it comes to serving our seemingly never ending craft beer appetite, it’s important to have a discerning mindset as to which bars pour your pint. That is why the “Drink Here Now” crew does our beer homework friends. This week we take you back to the East Village and inside a bar the size of an airstream diner, but packs in a ton of much deserved buzz. It’s Proletariat, a microbrew safe haven for those seeking rare and new suds served up by knowledgeable bartenders.

We made our way inside on a weekday and the thick evening crowd was already starting to load into the small warm space. As soon as we sat down we were pleasantly greeted by Led Zeppelin blaring over the speakers, (quite fitting since Proletariat is located mere steps away from the building used for Zepp’s “Physical Graffiti” album cover) and a friendly bartender, who quickly came over to take our order.

After a few minutes of chatting we went for drafts of Carton Brewery’s “Gorp” ($8) and Flying Dog’s “Woody Creek Wit” ($7). The “Gorp” showed off the Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey brewery’s eye for dark ales loaded with notes of raisins and peanuts. The “Woody Creek Wit” is a more sour and lighter beer that is perfect for any time of year, especially during this cold start to Spring. Proletariat’s beer menu is constantly changing, taking patrons on a tour through how ales should actually taste. Most pints will run you between 7-9 dollars on average. While that may not be cheap, as you sip you’ll see where that extra money went. Every day the popularity of Proletariat grows, deservedly so. And knowing the space is relatively small we highly advise all the suds lovers get there early, hold down some real estate and strap in for a drinking experience you won’t soon forget. Unless you black out.

Bar Type – A tiny, yet warm craft beer outpost located in the heart of the East Village. You may forget that you are a block away from the craziness that does down on Avenue A.

When to Visit – We urge you to visit during all points of the week. But just remember this small space will fill up as soon as the doors are unlocked daily.

Value – Cheap beer lovers will have to adapt to Proletariat’s prices. Sure, pints and bottles will cost you a few more bucks each but once you start gulping it down you’ll be happy to shell out the cash.

The Lowdown – 2013 has brought with it a ton of great new beer bars in each of the boroughs so you really do have your pick of the litter. But we highly urge you to take the “Drink Here Now” crew’s advice and put down your credit card and let the bartender take you on a beer flight like none other.

The immense popularity of craft beer can not be contained to specialty shops and pubs. Festivals for this heavenly alcoholic beverage are popping up citywide at venues where you would least expect them. One such event went down on Saturday at “Littlefield,” a Brooklyn performance art space used to feature the likes of alternative comedy and indie rock. On this particular weekend however it would house the first annual “Urban Brew Fest.” The LocalBozo.com beer team was in the house for the evening session, which proved that the event’s success was far from “Little.”

With the afternoon session already completed and in the books, we arrived at 5pm for the VIP session that would carry into the evening hours. If you have never been to Littlefield before, it is perhaps best described as a medium sized concert venue that allows patrons to wander around to check out many of the hand painted murals throughout. But on this night it would be beer- not necessarily art appreciation- that we would be after. And since this was the very first Saturday in March, we felt it appropriate to sample some light spring style brews. We made our way over to Ithaca Beer Company’s table who were doling out samples of their much talked about “Apricot Wheat” beer. Far too often beers with fruit flavors will miss the mark, giving the drinker an artificial taste which was pleasantly not the case with Ithaca’s take on fruit ales. From the nose to the first sip, we were treated to a lovely bouquet of freshly picked apricots. It was both extremely easy drinking while being huge on flavor. Just a few steps to the left we found ourselves in IPA country with our friends from Smuttynose. Their “Finest Kind IPA” takes the drinker through many of the typical notes of sipping an IPA, but with a really satisfying and clean finish.

As a rule of thumb, it’s always important to eat while attending beer festivals. It’s simply the only way to keep going and maintain an energy level through many of these tastings. Luckily the folks behind the “Urban Brew Fest” had our best interests at heart by sourcing delicious, local fare for the event. Upon entry into the venue along with a tasting glass, each guest was handed two tickets to be redeemed for two tacos from Oaxaca Taqueria, one of our favorite Mexican joints in the Brooklyn area. Their crew may have been busy trying to serve up all the sauced patrons, but they didn’t break a sweat in doing so. Each taco was authentically street style and was expertly made.

After loading up on some great eats it was beer time from here on out. But of course their would be a detour or two along the way. A bowl of lemons and a collection of highly ornate bottles drew us to the table featuring Crabbie’s and their “Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer.” That title alone made us want to sample this unique beverage. Each hearty pour was accompanied by a large slice of fresh lemon dropped into a light beer, which captured the essence of everything you love about ginger ale (if said ale could get you drunk). Needless to say, we will be bringing a pack of Crabbie’s to our next dinner party as a delicious conversation piece. A short walk back into the main room placed us back at the Shmaltz Brewing Company’s always colorful tables. With so many of their beers representing the Coney Island motif, it would be hard for them not be so bold. There we chatted with their always friendly representatives as we gulped down their easy drinking “Coney Island Pilsner” and strong meets bitter “He’Brew Hop Manna IPA.” The “Hop Manna” has a sweetness that we just can’t put on finger on. It’s so good yet a mystery at the same time.

Our beer tour of Littlefield chugged on as we met up with the team from Bronx Brewery. Having slugged down many a pint of their signature “American Style Pale Ale,” it was time to try their latest creation, the “Bronx Black PA.” This smooth drinking ale has a killer dark chocolate meets tropical fruit flavor that blew us away, causing us to stick around for repeat pours of what will be their next smash success. A few hours and several beer samples later and we were out of gas but donning huge beer mustache smiles. The first annual “Urban Brew Fest” was a prime example of how any venue with the right execution can host a tasting event and make it stand out in a way that is most of all, fun. 

- Jay Rubin 

You love an ice cold brew right? Who doesn’t? But far too infrequently, we find ourselves perched atop a bar stool, ordering a variety of craft beer that we’ve never heard of or tasted, with our pursed lips bitterly disappointed with our selection. Luckily however, we happen to live in one of the greatest beer cities in the country, and as such, we are afforded an entire week filled to the brim with pure brew bliss! In celebration of all things beer, we find ourselves smack dab in the midst of “New York City Beer Week,” a ten day celebration throughout our area that runs through March 3, 2013. The overstuffed festivities feature different festivals, beer walks, beer dinners, specials and much more. On a mild Wednesday night, our crew made our way back out to City Winery for the fabulous “3rd Annual Brewers Choice,” one of the flagship events that really sends this outstanding week into orbit.

At 6pm with the afternoon sky still very much present, the doors to Soho’s City Winery swung wide open. Despite attending a tasting event here just one day prior, the winery’s main event room never ceases to amaze us with just how much they can pack into the highly ornate space. And after quickly grabbing a wine glass (classy) for pours, we headed to the tables where we immediately found one of our favorite and most innovative craft beer spots. Park Slope mainstay Bierkraft came to Brewer’s Choice locked and loaded. Ben Granger and his team brought what appeared to be a rocket launcher filled with hops and Buddha’s Hand, one of the strangest fruits on the planet. It’s odd appearance in the innovative contraption housed a Saison like none other, with a tap that poured fast and clean into our glasses. The beer was nothing sort of deliciously sour while being vividly complex. And after trying a second pour to capture it all, we tipped our caps to them and moved on down the line. The team from Cooperstown, New York’s Ommegang Brewery came to the event with the humorously named, “Gnomegang.” The Belgian strong pale ale is nearly 10% ABV, but is incredibly drinkable. Each sip yielded refreshing notes of citrus fruits and melons, making it a perfect summer brew that one can easily enjoy even during the dead of winter.

With a few prime brews in our bellies, it was time to move onto taste some of the food offerings. Just a stone’s throw from Ommegang sat the table of the West Village’s Blind Tiger Ale House, doling out huge chunks of pork belly slathered in a sour vegetable slaw, mixed with kumquats and doused in a savory sauce. On the upper level of the venue, the always fun and inventive team from Tchoup Shop served up a pork belly slider, topped with a ginger-sesame hoisin and handmade rice wine pickles. And to close up our eating adventure we headed over to one of beer’s best friends- the oyster. Eddie from Naked Cowboy Oysters was shucking a delightfully briny variety that tasted like a mouthful of the beach in the best possible sense of the word. If that wasn’t awesome enough, he even created a hot sauce that perfectly paired with the shelled fish.

After completing our decadent food tour, it was time to return to the tables and grab some pours to wash down all the savory pork. New Jersey’s Carton Brewing came across the river with two prime tasting selections. First up, their “Boat Beer,” a crisp IPA that transports you to the easy life was loaded with American hops and had a distinct grapefruit finish, while the “Gorp,” was a robust chocolaty porter that drinks like a meal. Their friendly representative informed us that the beer’s unique flavor comes from fermented raisins. And in keeping with the dark brews we spent a great deal of time hanging out at the Shmaltz table sipping their exquisite “Funky Jewbelation.” The old familiar faces were also out in support of the likes of Sixpoint Craft Ales, Kelso, Smuttynose, Allagash, Brooklyn Brewery, and our old pals at Bronx Brewery, each of whom was more than happy to kick around the beer related conversation with the excited drinkers gathered in front of each table.

In all, ”The 3rd Annual Brewer’s Choice” featured upwards of 20+ brewers and let’s just say by the end of the evening, we were completely stuffed, a little buzzed and all around pretty happy. Hosted by the New York City Brewers Guild, “Brewer’s Choice” on its own is a fantastically executed event, but is truly just a part of the entire beer week. There are still a few choice days to celebrate “New York City Beer Week,” so don’t delay. Head to their website and see what tickles your brew fancy.

- Jay Rubin