Results tagged “beer”

      

Click on the images above for all the details on Hells Kitchen's new wine bar, Ardesia, and the crazy Carnival above Bowlmor.

A heaping plate of bacon washed down with a frosty mug of beer is the perfect start to any day, but why can't scientists unite those two divine tastes into a single swallow? True, there is a German beer called Rauchbier, which means "smoked beer" and reportedly tastes like bacon, but it's not literally made with cured pig flesh. But at long last, Brooklyn Brewery brewmaster Garrett Oliver has heard the call of drunken gluttons and is developing a beer made with a special malt smoked in the same room with bacon made by "the legendary" Allan Benton. Oliver tells the Times, "It’s almost terrifying how much the malt smells like bacon." His ingenious plan involves infusing a brown ale with the flavor of Benton’s bacon fat through a technique known as "fat washing." The bacon-fat-infused ale is aged in bourbon barrels, and one historic day (t.b.d.) he will blend it with the bacon-smoked malt. And Oliver promises this to a world hushed with anticipation: "Either this will be the most amazingly disgusting thing you’ve ever tasted in your life. Or I shall rule the earth."

Now that beers have been had by Henry Louis Gates Jr, James Crowley and President Obama, now we've entered the post-beer summit phase. Such as brewery Sam Adams being thrilled that the Harvard academic chose its beer (founder Jim Koch said, "After all, Boston is our home and home to both of the president’s guests. I’m honored that the president chose to serve Professor Gates an American craft beer"), funny headlines (“TOUCH OF GLASS” — New York Daily News) and an expert analyzing the body language of the three men plus Vice President Biden (Crowley: defense; Gates: conciliatory; Obama: relaxed; Biden: odd man out).

The most-eagerly awaited executive office beer/photo op/cherry-on-top- of-a-controversy -that-spurred-a- discussion-about- race-relations has happened. President Barack Obama welcomed Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Cambridge Police Sergeant James Crowley, two men whose last meeting was much more fraught. Vice President Joe Biden joined in for a (non-alcoholic) brew as well. According to the Caucus, "What are they drinking? Well, for those who believed Bud Lite would be the drink of choice for Mr. Obama, they are in luck, as are those who thought Sgt. Crowley would stay with Blue Moon. Mr. Gates drank Sam Adams Light (a Massachusetts-based brew), and Mr. Biden chose a Bucklers, a non-alcohol beer. Maybe Mr. Biden has to drive home."

The Cambridge, Massachusetts police released the 911 call that prompted the arrest of Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr.. It turns out the caller Lucia Whalen said, "I don't know if they live there or they just had a hard time with their key." You can listen to the tape here, and Whalen was apparently upset she was being depicted as a racist in the media; her attorney said, "She has worked in Cambridge for more than 15 years, about 100 yards from where Mr. Gates resides, and was aware of several recent break-ins in the area." The Boston Globe reports that in the recordings, "The dispatcher asked officers to 'respond to a possible B and E in progress,' saying the caller had reported they 'barged' into the house, but also noting, 'They have suitcases.'" Gates was eventually arrested for disorderly conduct, upset that the police arrived. Cambridge Chief of Police Robert Haas said, "July 16 is a painful moment for all of us. We need to move on. If we focus back on July 16, we are not going to make any progress." The incident became more of a flashpoint when President Obama waded into the discussion—now he has invited Gates and the police officer who arrested Gates, Sergeant James Crowley, for a beer at the White House this week.

Summer is upon us, and Mayor Bloomberg has declared July to be Good Beer Month. And there's nothing quite like riding ones bike to a bar and imbibing in some cold ones, right? Actually that sounds like a dangerous idea, but it still didn't stop some folks from putting together a Bike to the Bars event.

In the middle of the 19th century, more than 12 Brooklyn breweries were busy producing suds within the same 12-block square Williamsburg neighborhood—the so-called Brewer's Row—on the daily. A history focused group named Urban Oyster now leads walking tours of the area every weekend, retracing long gone hops with steps. Tour features include a peek at the two remaining Brewers' Row 19th century buildings, a pit stop at the Brooklyn Brewery, some snacks, tastings, and a lot of breweriana. Tours take three hours; more information is here. In other news, a massive home brew and beer themed cook-off is happening this Sunday at the Bell House. It's beer revival time!

Brouwerij Lane: This first one isn't a restaurant, it's better: a source for growlers of tap beer and bottled beer in Greenpoint, where we've been spending many weekends savoring the laid-back Franklin Street scene. (Though the occasional spray of gunfire has somewhat harshed the vibe.) Brouwerij Lane owner Ed Raven, who imports Gaffel Kolsch and other German and Belgian beer through his importing company, opened the place last weekend. There is a rotating ensemble of ten beers on tap, which currently include local Polish favorite Zywiec, unbeatable Red Hook microbrew Sixpoint, and Jever Dark, a rarity in New York. A one-time deposit of $5 gets you a glass growler (the equivalent of roughly four American pints), and $10 gets it refilled. This coming Saturday at 1 p.m., Raven's holding an opening party with free beer tasting and Viennese goulash from Fort Greene's Thomas Beisl. 78 Greenpoint Avenue.

Brooklyn-based Kelso brewery is pushing ahead with a promotional intended to encourage blood donations, despite cold feet from the New York Blood Center, which asked not to be associated with the blood drive.

The local media continues its coverage of incoming Archbishop Timothy Dolan. The NY Post gave him some Big Apple-themed gifts, including "a Yankees cap and mug, an FDNY T-shirt and a subway map," which Dolan appreciated, noting, "I'm going to be a tourist for one year."

A long time ago in New York, there were hundreds of beer gardens where sausages grilled copiously and beer poured liberally. If you’re of the mindset that these two things combined are the remedy for our economic malaise (and other assorted bad times), consider yourself buoyed by the fact that the previously-delayed “boisterous sausage parlor” of Red Hook— called Grindhaus— has officially gone into high gear on Van Brunt Street: The Brooklyn Paper reported last month that owner Erin Norris’ permits are in place and construction is imminent. Per the story, the menu "will consist of five or six sausage varieties made on the premises, plus classics from around the world and newfangled concoctions that Norris will rotate into the daily offerings.” Grindhaus is scheduled to open in March; in the meantime, there seems to be a behind-the-scenes blog to help rally the masses.

Dardanel: Salt crusted fish is the star of the reasonably priced seafood menu at this new midtown east restaurant (pictured), named for the strait that connects the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. As such, the high number of seafood dishes are complemented by Turkish classics like halvah pie. The fish is imported daily from the Mediterranean, and entrees include Brook Trout Casserole with grilled vegetables ($19); brick oven baked Black Sea anchovies with rice, pine nuts, currant and herbs stuffing served in a casserole ($19); and Char Grilled & Skewered Chicken or Lamb Adana ($16). Wines come from as far afield as Israel and Georgia, and the $5 desserts include Almond Macaroons and Baklava. Dardanel seats 65, and is "nautically themed." 1071 First Avenue, (212) 888-0809

Brooklyn Brewery found themselves in an unlikely battle recently against the Trappist monks of Belgium. Who, apparently, you do NOT mess with. CityRoom reports that BB owner Steve Hindy started making a refermented ale called Brooklyn Local 1, which borrowed a method from the monks. But the problem was in the design of the bottle he used for it: "an amber bottle design featuring a double embossed ring at the base of the neck. It was not unlike the single-ringed bottle used by the Westmalle Abbey in Belgium and by the New Belgium Brewing Company of Fort Collins, Colo." First his friend Kim Jordan, owner of the New Belgium, warned him of her "protracted negotiations with the monks of Westmalle on the use of a ringed bottle in the United States...She told him it was her duty under the partnership to defend the trademark." Hindy soon backed down, took a loss of $60K and noted of the monks: “God is on their side." However, it looks like the press images that got out there still include the old design. Developing... like dark clouds of a wrathful God.

Hook & Ladder Brewing Company is finally coming to NYC, making its grand debut at the Brewtopia Festival (running October 31 and November 1st). The beer was created by a firefighter and donates a portion of its sales to the burn foundation; the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation will receive $4 from each barrel and 25 cents from each case of Hook & Ladder beers sold. Founder Rich Fleischer, a long time volunteer firefighter, says "I'm eager to bring that passion to New York City where there is such a dedicated firefighter community, and get involved with the local heroes." More on the Brewtopia Fest here, lager lovers.

Well, fall is now officially in full swing—Shacktoberfest is on.The two week Oktoberfest celebration at the Shake Shack brings a taste of the old country to Madison Square Park. Feast on Usinger’s Sheboygan-Style Beer-Soaked Bratwurst, Andouille, or Polish Sausage for ($6 each), topped with Cranberry Horseradish Relish, Shackmeister-braised Red Cabbage, or Celery Root Slaw. Then pad your belly further with Oktoberfest-influenced Concretes in rotating flavors like Cran-Apple Strudel and German Chocolate Cake, and wash that down with Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale, Bluepoint Oktoberfest, and Stoudts Oktoberfest. The Kraut-inspired festivities start today and last until October 17th, and you can justify all the Autumnal indulgence with the knowledge that a portion of the sales benefits the Madison Square Park Conservancy.

The organizers of the inaugural New York Craft Beer Week must have gotten started early, because their "week" of beer events actually adds up to ten days. No matter; the refined debauchery kicks off Friday with the third annual Brewfest at the South Street Seaport, stumbling all the way to a glassy-eyed climax on the 21st with the 2nd Annual Manhattan Cask Ale Festival at the Chelsea Brewing Company, which features 45 ‘firkins’ of cask-conditioned ale from noon to midnight! No, we don't know what a firkin is either, but it's what's inside that counts: cool, succulent ale that's "so good once it hits your lips," as the poet quipped.

Nassau County audited the Leadership Training Institute, which Newsday describes as an "agency that housed troubled teens," and found it had overcharged counties by $834,000. And the Hempstead non-profit used the money on "beer and violent video games" and "$47,865 in bonuses to its workers in violation of its contract with the county." Okay, maybe it's only $27 for a case of beer, but they did spend $2,807 on an X-Box and games. LTI says the beer may have been purchased accidentally and told Newsday that the video games "were no more violent than what is seen on television in the evening."

Earlier this week Yuengling wasn't being very helpful in letting Brad Walsh, who was physically assaulted by a truck driver delivering their product, know who to contact to file a complaint. When we asked the company what company hired the driver so they could be contacted for a quote, they also refused to disclose any information. However, Walsh has let us know that he finally got a hold of the distributor, and the driver has been fired. He wrote on his blog last night: "After the distributor was notified of the incident (albeit nearly a week after the incident occurred and was reported to Yuengling, and merely a matter of hours after the story was reported by several news sources) they called the driver and his union in to discuss. I have been told that the driver was terminated."

Last week Brad Walsh (nightlife photographer, musician, Christian Siriano's boyfriend) recounted an experience he recently had on Spring and 6th, involving a hostile Yuengling truck driver.

A delivery truck driven by a guy on a cell phone was turning and almost hit me and another guy. Me and the other guy put our hands up like "what are you doing," but we didn't say or mouth anything to the driver. The driver (jacked) got out, followed me down the street (not the other guy), called me a "faggot" several times, punched me really hard in the jaw, knocked my stuff onto the sidewalk, and went back to his truck. Then when I looked at his license plate to memorize the number he came back, called me a "faggot" again, and asked me if I was going to "be a bitch" and "tell" on him. I got the plate number, though, and the name of his company from the side of the truck.

Heartland Brewery has just announced what they believe to be the Largest Glass of Beer Commercially Available (an application has already been filed with the Guiness World Records), it is dubbed: "The Beer Goddess." The three-liter glass holds 6.3 pints, 101.4 ounces, or 8.5 cans...and no matter what way you measure it, it's likely to be warm by the time you reach the half way point.

Think paying $8 for a beer is outrageous? Then steer clear of ordering the Baladine Xyauyù at Park Slope's Beer Table, the 17-oz. bottle will set you back 95 bucks (but to be fair, would be the perfect accompaniment to the $175 hamburger).

Since opening last November, the 2,000 square foot Radegast Hall in Williamsburg has been packed with patrons enjoying the massive mugs of beer, the hearty food, and the debate about the old world dirndl peasant dresses worn by the waitresses. (Humiliating or part of the ambiance?) One group strongly opposed to the vintage Czech ensembles are the employees themselves, who say the tight bodices and short skirts are provoking come-ons from grabby drunken tools. Not cool, bros!

Southpaw owner Matt Roff is awfully busy opening new bars and venues lately (hopefully not nearby any nit-picky neighbors). As he works on the Galapagos space transformation, he somehow fit in opening up a beer garden last Friday in Crown Heights.

First devastating weather patterns and destroyed coral reefs, then lousy harvests and global food shortages, now this: soaring beer prices. In an increasingly warmer world, precious, life-sustaining beer is becoming a luxury item. The past year has seen a drought in Australia, flooding in Germany, hailstorms in the Pacific Northwest, and lower crop yields throughout Europe – all resulting in a dramatic spike in the cost of grains and hops.

New York's called the city that never sleeps, but to many it’s also the city that never leaves its apartment. For the Netflix-and-sweatpants set, there are an increasing number of ways to get all the essentials with just a phone call or a few clicks of the mouse, provided you have a desirable zip code. The best known late night delivery service is Anytime, which provides East Village and Williamsburg shut-ins with the beer and cigarettes they need to make it through that Friday night Wii bowling marathon. But Anytime may be gone in no time, and their East Village phone number has been disconnected.

Itching to jump back into Liberty City yet? The New GTA IV website has been launched, in preparation for the quickly approaching April release. The previews so far have been somewhat light on details, but the site finally sheds some light into what kind of trouble you can expect to get into while traversing a virtual NYC.

Okay, so you don't want to go out to watch the game and cooking is not an option. What can you order besides pizza? Plenty, as you already know (hey, we live in New York City, folks!). But we've found some particularly mouthwatering Super Bowl delivery specials, many of which involve pork. Mmmm . . . pork.

This weekend Gowanus Lounge was first to note the unexpected closure of the 2nd Street Cafe at Seventh Avenue in Park Slope. The decade old restaurant, which on weekends had all the charm of a daycare center on adderall, had undergone a major renovation last summer. OTBKB hears word from a former employee that he/she was given just two days notice. Part of the ever-widening quicksand consuming New York restaurants? No word yet on the reason for the closure; calls to the restaurant are going unanswered.

Mary Izett, a self-admitted beer geek and former president of the Malted Barley Appreciation Society of New York City discussed how the chemical reactions in roasting malt and cacao are related to those that occur when roasting meat. Give yourself five food geek points if you knew she was talking about the Maillard reaction.