Weekend trip to NYC

A. welcome!
B. moved to Mid-Atlantic forum in 3, 2, 1...
C. you should definitely visit Brooklyn, and probably Torst (think Mikkeller Bar, only it's Evil Twin's, and it's on the east coast). if you're looking for solid bottles to buy & take with...Top Hops & Beer Culture are probably the 2 best in Manhattan
D. there is nothing in NYC that is even remotely comparable to Russian River IMO

enjoy

 

Brewery visits will be tough. There are no notable breweries in Manhattan (a few brewpubs) and only two breweries with taprooms in the outer boroughs (Brooklyn and Singlecut in Queens) I think both would be pretty disappointing to someone used to spots of that pedigree. Peekskill and Barrier are both short distances from the city by the Metro North and LIRR respectively, and these are to me the best breweries in the metro area. Both have taprooms.

That being said, we might not have much brewing (although its growing, just that most are too small for taprooms), but we have a helluva beer scene.

For Manhattan, check Proletariat for esoteric rare taps, Top Hops for a great atmosphere and bottle selection, One Mile House for killer taps and food, and the older guard like Pony Bar, Blind Tiger, Rattle N Hum for solid stuff.

In Brooklyn, don't mist Torst, one of the best beer bars in the country IMO, the Owl Farm, Bruekelen Bier Merchants, and Brouwerij Lane.

For great local brews to seek while you're here, look for the aforementioned Peekskill and Barrier, newcomer Other Half, and not quite the city but great Captain Lawrence.

 

I think you really sell Capt. Lawrence short here. Barrier isn't even in their league. Can't comment on Peekskill as I've never been.

 

Was thinking of spots accessible from mass transit that have taprooms. Being beholden to the MTA myself, I've not been up to Captain Lawrence.

As to Barrier not being in their league, I think Captain Lawrence is pretty amazing, but for what Barrier has done in a short time, they are in their league IMO, and outside of something like Rosso E Marone, they are surpassing the Capt.

 

Thanks for the suggestions so far, everyone! I'm Greg's brother, and I'm looking forward to yet another great time at the big apple!

I think accessible via cab or transit is what we're looking for. Given our short stay (Friday morning to Sunday morning) we're hoping for a place that we can get to relatively easily via available means.

-Andrei

PS - I do enjoy some Evil Twin

 

If you can get out of town on Saturday morning with a car, go north. Captain Lawrence, Peekskill, Rushing Duck, Mill House Brewing are all within 45 min. of each other and would make a wonderful brewery day of amazing beers and food that you won't be able to experience in Manhattan or any of the boroughs.

 

DO NOT go to Blind Tiger on Friday/Saturday nights - it is a very tiny space and will be beyond crowded and unenjoyable
Go to Ginger Man instead, do it during the day
go to Owl Farm in Brooklyn
Barcade in Brooklyn (garage with vintage working arcade games with great taps)
Ale Wife in Long Island City Queens
Astoria Bier & Cheese in Astoria Queens (charcuterie/cheese shop with taps)
go to Torst for an absurdly contemporary elite setting
go to Double Windsor in Brooklyn for great taps
I'd do the Brooklyn tour and that's it. NYC is chock full of more/better beer bars than it is brewery tours. Brooklyn has a sweet facility though.
I live in Queens personally, and work in the beer industry. Message me for any questions whatsoever!

 

These days especially, I would say you really should travel outside of Manhattan to see the best of what the city has to offer. Where exactly are you guys staying?

Already lots of good advice on this thread. Double Windsor and Owl Farm are my locals, and also on balance, probably my overall favourites. Great beer, but also great bars (something which I think can be overlooked by beer geeks trawling the latest tap offerings). If you're in the area I would suggest Bierkraft. They have cool stuff on tap which is reasonably priced, and you can drink on the premises. Bottled stuff is more between store/bar prices though.

Some of the classic places (Blind Tiger, Rattle N Hum) aren't quite as good as they once were IMO, but are still worth a visit.

If you're here on vacation, you want to treat yourself, and dropping $ isn't too much of an issue, I would agree you should hit Torst, Proletariat and somewhere not yet mentioned - The Cannibal (treat it as a bar only - do not buy stuff to go) - I just put that one out there because I have had a couple of things there that I haven't seen elsewhere. But all three of these places are expensive, so be warned.

Without self-promoting - I started this thread a few weeks back. If you're using the subway, there are tons of good places (many not mentioned in my OP) off the F train:

http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/f-train-the-beer-express.139108/

 

Here is a walking tour of good craft beer bars in Brooklyn if you feel adventurous - Wear a good pair of walking shoes!

Start in Greenpoint at Brouwerij Lane. Then head East to Torst. Head South to the Williamsburg area to Mug's Ale House. The Brooklyn Brewery is only a few blocks West from there (Keep in mind you have to reserve a tour spot to visit Mon - Thurs. Fri- Sun it's open to the public). A few blocks South of the brewery is D.B.A.s. Continue South from there and visit Breukelen Bier Merchants. 2 More blocks South of that is Lucky Dog. Head Northeast from there over to Spuyten Duyvil. Then walk southwest over to Barcade.

By then you should be exhausted and nicely buzzed. Have fun!

 

Great beer tips here but unless you're coming here to NYC for something special, I'd wait until the spring. It's cold and damp here and you won't like it compared to California.

 

Here I made you a crude walking map. Locations are approximate:

1) Brouwerij Lane
2) Torst
3) Mug's Ale House
4) Brooklyn Brewery
5) d.b.a
6) Breukelen Bier Merchants
7) Lucky Dog
8) Spuyten Duyvil
9) Barcade

 

Unless someone you are with knows the subway system well,you will be better off sticking to midtown Manhattan.

 

Really? Subway isn't that complicated, and NYC has a lot more to offer than just the midtown bars

 

For someone from Sonoma County it could very well be.

 

I just got back from Ginger Man. I had a friend guide me to it, thankfully. The subways here are harder to understand, than BART out in San Fran. Then again, I'm just a simple man from the South. It was great though. Had Brooklyn Fire and Ice.

 

Get Hop Stop. You won't have a problem figuring out how to get anywhere. You'll have a subway map on your phone.

If you have trouble finding the subway station, ask someone! Us New Yorkers are quite kind.

 

Is the subway system really that hard? will be in NY myself and planning on doing everything by subway/metro.

 

Assuming they have a smart phone there is zero excuse not to use the subway, and therefore totally limit yourself. Even without a smart phone, like dar says - just ask. You read about people doing crazy s**t to get hold of beer on BA, but we're advising visitors to, for example, not try Kanger's walking tour of Greenpoint/Williamsburg, because their head might explode trying to take the L/G train.

 

No it's honestly not hard, and you should stick to your plan. I see tourists from all over the world using it and they get around fine.