Hey friendly folks, my buddy is out in NYC (staying in Time Square), and he knows nothing about NY area beer, but I'm trying to get him to bring back some stuff. I've never been to NY so I only have a vague understanding of what is available out there. I sent him a list of the highest rated NYC bottle shops from BeerFly.... Top Hops Beer Shop Whole Foods (whichever is closest) New Beer Distributers Beer Culture Good Beer (disclaimer, I still haven't looked to see how far these are from his hotel, but he has a car) Main question, is 4Beans still available? Can they be found at any of these shops, or perhaps one closer to him? I imagine Resin is pretty easy to find? I've had that and like it. How about Lunch and Dinner? Any other recs? Any info is very appreciated!
Lunch comes basically once every 2 months or so, haven't seen it around in a while. Dinner is brewery only. If he's staying through the weekend if highly suggest sending him to other half for the can release, or filling up some other half growlers at whole foods or at the brewery if he can bring growlers. 4beans should be very easy to find.
You can buy Sixpoint beers in lots of states and calling them NY beer is a stretch to me. You should be looking out for Singlecut and Grimm first and foremost. If he's running around in a car for you (why does he have a car in Times Square by the way?) maybe give Other Half a shot and see if any cans are lingering.
I dunno he works for the government doing some sort of security job up there for a foreign traveler......
What @ONovoMexicano said, look for Singlecut (Bon Bon was just released in bottles). Grimm released Afterimage in cans, but may be hard to find.
The Pope? Definitely have him look for Single Cut Bon Bon. This new batch is unreal! Also anything Grimm..Super Symmetry, Rainbow Dome and Psychokinesis are some sours/gose style beers that are currently available. 4 beans shouldnt be hard to find. It seems there are a few places where Finback Oscillation went to..another very good local IPA. As others have said, if he has the time then he should try to get out to Other Half.
yeah new beer has a pretty wild selection, but never ever buy an IPA there unless you're very certain its fresh.
Other than SingleCut, Grimm (gypsy brewed) and OtherHalf all in very limited capacity - there isn't much notable NY brewed beers for one to buy to take home. Obviously Sixpoint isn't a NY brewed beer at all so forget that. Its very much a local scene. Real estate prices prohibits most from investing in canning/bottling space.
I have enjoyed a number of beers from Captain Lawrence and Ithaca in the best and would recommend your friend look out for these too if you've never tried their stuff. Not heavy on the hype train, but still great beers.
As per things that might be interesting in California, there are some interesting bottles of Grimm around town. Also Captains Daughter just seemed to hit everywhere in NY. It's a solid mosaic/citra double IPA and everything in the latest batch seems to be 9/2 or so canning date. I found it today at the UWS Whole Foods, but Carmine St. posted they have it and I suspect you can find it in a lot of places. 4Beans is still all over town. I don't know if you're interested in CCB, but Noble Grains has Jai Alai cans from early September canning and Bowery/Houston Whole foods has 6packs of Maduro. CIty Swiggers still has bottles of Cognac Jesus for ~30 a pop. Also I'd recommend picking up some of the barrel aged Central Waters stuff, in particular the stout or the barleywine, though the scotch ale seems to be the most recent release. Also, while its use seems to be fading, Beermenus.com is still pretty solid for finding things in NYC. From times square though, something convenient might be West Side Gourmet Deli at 46th and 10th. He might have to ask what's available behind the counter though. Sometimes there are cans of heady, bottles of KBS, boxed firestone walkers, etc. Other Half is releasing cans this Saturday, not sure how that fits into your friend's availability.
the ithaca beers aren't what they used to be, and grimm, other half, singlecut, barrier, etc are at least one class above captain lawrence. the hype train gets some things right.
