Mea Culpa

kelsopair.93134500_std.jpg Who doesn’t make a mistake every now and then? To err is human, right? But what matters in the end is if you get called out on it. When (if) you do, you should probably apologize and make right. Well, we got called out last week. To celebrate National Beer Month we decided to feature a beer that we thought was pretty good, Red Hook Sunrye Summer Ale. Now we don’t expect every reader to like or agree with our selections and we encourage some healthy banter but the first comment off the bat went a little something like this…

“this is GOTHAMist. can't you cite a good NYC brew to spotlight?... how dare you, gothamist!!!”

The pang of guilt grew as we read the post. They were right. We should have looked a little closer to home. We love your loyalty to this boozy city and want to amend for our farsightedness. So, to finish off our series on National Beer Month we bring you a few of New York’s finest and some of the best places to sip them in…

Kelso of Brooklyn
Of the four delicious beers that they brew ranging from Nut Brown to the Chocolate Larger, taste them all. We always go back for the Hop Lager. To find Kelso in Manhattan you don't have to look too far, we enjoy ours at Drop Off Service on Avenue A at 13th Street.

Bohemian Hall Beer Garden in Astoria
It’s a part of New York History, and regardless of how many times it’s been written about, it will never be enough. Sure the focus is not on American microbrews, but a bunch of foreigners drinking outside side feels very New York to us. Grab a stein and a seat at one of the many picnic tables out back and make new friends over a plate of Pirogi, so light and fluffy, even Grandma would be proud.

Chelsea Brewing Company
Maybe it’s the subtle nuances imparted from it’s proximity to the Hudson River, or the pleasure of enjoying a brew on the waterfront, but this full service brewery provides the perfect reprieve after a few hours at the driving range. The Checker Cab Blonde Ale has the bite, crispness and character that it’s name would imply.

Let’s be friends again. There’s no point in crying over spilled ale, especially with all these great options at our footsteps.

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

By Tamara Lover on July 23, 2007 3:19 PM

Comments [rss]

TKaisen

did you know that most beer that you drink under the label "brooklyn brewery" is brewed and bottled in upstate new york?

Next you'll tell me that all Sam Adams doesn't come from Boston.

guest

Schneider Weisse isn't a new beer (founded 1872) or local, but it has become easier to find. and its a fantastic summer beer

JMH

Please stop telling people to go to Bohemian Hall, it's crowded enough on the weekends as it is. Thank you!

beersnob

Kelso Brewery's Nut Brown Ale: Northwest Hops, probably from Yakima. These are the same hops Red Hook uses. Best hops.

guest

What, no love for McSorley's??

guest

that's good to know that sixpoint is 100 percent local but as mentioned above means it's strictly available on draught.

guest

Zum Schneider, the wonderful bavarian beergarden on 7th and C is advertising a new beer, Schneider Weisse, that they are brewing in... Brooklyn? Has anyone tried this yet?

janelle

not to nag, but here it comes: it's "sixpoint" not "six points". i know it seems small and is a common error, but it's a little pet peeve of mine. regardless of how one says it, i'm a big fan of their brews - good stuff.

guest

Six Points should be number one, two and three on any NYC beer list. The founders are from Wisconsin, but they're big boosters of the neighborhood and the city's water. I can't recommend a brewery tour highly enough. Brooklyn Lager? Not too bothered about the upstate bottling thing (any idea how much space a bottling operation takes up? they can't do it in the city), but I don't like how the brewery owner is in bed with the developers of the Atlantic Yards rip-off.

guest

Brooklyn Lager all comes from upstate, and any bottles, anything else on tap comes from North 11th but they are moving soon... Ominous...

EricGewiz

Sixpoint must be on this list!!!

guest

that's what I thought, all these craft/micro brews contract out their bottling. Isn't MattsFX the brewer you're talking about?

the other major NY brewer is the High Falls brewing company.

that's all I know. I'm sure someone will chime in, in fact, almost positive.

tien

did you know that most beer that you drink under the label "brooklyn brewery" is brewed and bottled in upstate new york?

guest

The two best breweries in NYC, both in Brooklyn: Brooklyn Brewery and Sixpoint Craft Ales (For the summer: Apollo Wheat, Righteous Rye, Sweet Action, etc)