The Pursuit of Frothy’ness

6%20pack.jpg A fact for you: the average American lives within ten miles of a craft brewery.

That’s right, only ten itsy, bitsy miles separate us from the artistry and craftsmanship of fermentation. As New Yorkers we are particularly lucky, with about 20 breweries in the city and surrounding neighborhoods. That basically means that there is no excuse for downing Coors Light, unless beer pong is involved, of course. This little nugget of information is particularly relevant this July, as we celebrate American Beer Month.

Clearly, this cleaver marketing ploy is way to bring awareness to some of the great American Craft Breweries that may get overshadowed by their European cousins. Don't feel sorry for this underdog just yet, however. If our nationwide beer-bellies say anything about us, it’s that we know a thing or two about beer, and perhaps anything deep-fried, but mostly beer. To do our part in celebrating this worthy cause we put together the “Gothamist Great American 6 – pack of refreshingly tasty, easy to drink, thirst quenching, frothy beer”….available at your local bodega.

Thomas Hooker, American Pale Ale, Connecticut
We didn’t just pick this beer so we could say there is a Hooker in the collection, but we’re kind of glad it worked out that way. We’ll refrain from makes jokes about how easy this beer goes down, but let’s just say it was worth the $2 it cost us.

Brooklyn Brewery, Summer Ale, New York
We’d be foolish if we didn’t include the great brewery right in our backyard in this collection. Garrett Oliver, the Brewmaster at Brooklyn Brewery, exercises his mad skills in this Summer Ale that’s spicy, smooth and with just a little attitude.

Smuttynose Brewing Co., Summer Weizen, New Hampshire
This crisp Weizen looks as great as it tastes. With layers of flavor and personality this is the perfect beer to sip on the boardwalk at Coney Island, to wash down a few dogs from Nathan’s. You should probably brown bag it.

Blue Point Brewery, Blueberry Ale, New York
It was the guy at the bar with the gray bushy mustache and Fat Max tape measure that said it best, “I don’t like no fruit in my beer.” However, we always make exceptions for delicious. The hint of blueberry in this beer is subtle and serves as a great complement to the toasty, yeasty notes.

Stoudt’s, American Pale Ale, Pennsylvania
This beer is rich and smooth and with a hint of chocolate that lingers just the right amount.

Anchor Liberty Ale, California
Perhaps we have been too east coast dominate in our selections, but this beer from the west side has no problem holding its own. The great hop flavors and aromas intermingle with notes of orange and citrus in this balanced, well-crafted ale.

This should hold us over for the first week or so of American Beer Month. While it would be impossible to raise a glass to all the great breweries in the United States – like the Free State Brewery in Kansas or the Abita Brewery in New Orleans – we will do our part to make our way through the ones in our city. Who wants in? Stay tuned for the tour…

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Tamara Lover in Food on July 9, 2007 10:28 AM

Comments [rss]

guest

Watch out for Pioneer tagging an item at one price, then checking it out at a higher price and refusing to refund the difference. Happened to me at 92nd and Lexington ave store.

guest

How much are 6 packs at the bodega? at the fresh direct website most micro brews go for 10-11.00 a six pack. I pay a little over that for a 12 pack at a Hannaford. I bring a 12 pack back, drink 2 12's for the weekend.

guest

I know of no beer delivery service for craft brews, but in Manhattan there is no better store than http://new-beer.com/.

And if you're on the upper west side there is a Pioneer supermarket located on Columbus Ave & 73rd St. that devotes an entire aisle to beer (mostly crafts), all of which can be bought by the bottle.

cool

does anyone have a beer delivery service for craft brews? I've used New York Beverage which has prices slightly better than my local bodega (but not by much, and the prices are worse than most other bodegas I have seen).

guest

What's the difference between a "craft" brew and a "micro" brew? the scarcity of beer in a particular region? for instance Bells Brewery out in MI.

Because Sam Adams is considered the number one craft brew with Sierra Nevada second.

I get my supply of craft brews at a Hannaford. Trying the Sea Dog Bluepaw wildblueberry wheat on our next beer run this weekend.

guest

what bodega are you going to that has smuttynose and stoudts?

Abe Froman

Had my first draft Bluepoint Blueberry last night at BLT Burger, excellent stuff.

Not your typical syrupy sweet fruit beer (which I hate), it's a nice clean ale with mild hints of fresh blueberries (again, not the in an overly sweet from concentrate kind of way). Anyone fans of the Bar Harbor Blueberry in Maine will appreciate it.

guest

there's also greenpoint, chelsea, captain lawrence and south hampton. although, i believe, these are all draft-only. best way to drink beer anyway.

Aces N Eights

"As New Yorkers we are particularly lucky, with about 20 breweries in the city and surrounding neighborhoods."

I can only think of Brooklyn, Six Point, and Heartland. Kelso is very small and I think associated with Heartland. That makes 3 breweries in the city and surrounding neighborhoods.