The recent surge of craft brewing in New York has helped to remind us that there was once a great brewing tradtion in New York.  It is no secret that New York has brewed a lot of beer.  Prior to prohibition New York had some of the countries largest brewers.  This exhibit will finally give us beer lovers in New  York a chance to revisit the golden age of New York brewing that we have only ever heard stories about.

New-York Historical Society
170 Central Park West
at Richard Gilder Way (77th Street)
New York, NY 10024

Hours of Operation

• Tues-Thurs: 10 – 6
• Friday: 10-8
• Saturday: 10-6
• Sunday: 11-5

The exhibit will end in at a small beer hall that will feature brews from New York City and State.  It’s the best gift shop ever!

The beer hall will be open:

• Tuesday-Thursday and Saturdays: 2pm–6pm
• Fridays: 2pm–8pm
• Sundays: 2pm–5pm

There will also be beer tastings each Saturday throughout the summer. There will be 2 half hour tasitings each Saturday at 2pm and 4pm for a cost of $35($20 for members).  A list of the breweries and tickets can be found here.

CBS survived a hard tournament with a lot of great beers to win the crown this year. In a year full of popular barrel aged brews, CBS still sets a new standard for this style. This beer is sought after by beer lovers all over the country and for good reason.  The maple syrup bourbon barrel is a game changers and sets this beer apart from the others.  Congratulations to Founders for winning the title of 2012 BFF4 Champion!

We here at The Beer Friends have never done an official review of Canadian Breakfast Stout, but we have done a review of Founders other maple syrup bourbon barrel aged beer.  If those videos don’t whet your appetite, I don’t know what will.

I suppose one could say that Europe is famous for beer.  I mean, after all, if you think about it they were the original craft beer when regular beer was some kind of puddle fruit wine.  However, there is one country in Europe that is often forgotten by craft beerists – France.  If you guessed Spain or Italy then, really?  They probably deserve to be forgotten.  No, it’s France.  Now don’t get me wrong, they have some pretty wildly famous brews, just nothing on the scale of Germany, Belgium or England here in the good ol’ USA (were they pissed after the whole “freedom fry” incident?).  Well, now you can fix this problem in your life by attending tonight’s Tuesday Nice Tasting over at Bierkraft.  They, for free (as long as you can get a seat), are going to walk you through the brews that put Paris on the map. Get there early, because it fills up quick.

Seriously, you guessed Greece?

Bierkraft is located at 191 5th Avenue between Union and Berkeley Streets in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn.

Wednesday, May 23 – Stone Extravaganza @ Standings, Manhattan:

Would you attend a bar regularly if they gave out free pizza?  Let’s not kid around.  OF COURSE.  What if they also were a craft beer bar that regularly had events and tomorrow night they were throwing a party for Stone?  Well, I probably don’t need to say much more.

Except this:

VERTICAL EPIC 11-11-11
BELGO OLD GUARDIAN
DOUBLE BASTARD
LEVITATION

Who are we kidding?  I had you at bar.

Standings is located at 43 East 7th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan.

Wednesday, May 23 – PA Beer Night @ The Double Windsor, Brooklyn:

Thursday, May 24 – Farmhouse Ale Draft Event @ Bierkraft, Brooklyn:

Did we say earlier that beer people over here forget about France?  Well, we definitely haven’t forgot about Farmhouse beer.  Grassy, earthy, spicy, fruity and refreshing brews perfect for a French spring day tending to the farm.  Just like our lives here in New York City.  Bierkraft is throwing a party for the Farmhouse style, traditionally from France and Belgium this Thursday.  They haven’t released a draft list yet, but it is sure to take you back to the old French countryside.

Try this list on for size:

• Troegs Nugget Nectar
• Troegs Scratch Beer
• Troegs Sunshine Pils
• Weyerbacher Slam Dunkel
• Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA
• Weyerbacher Merry Monks Tripel
• Stoudts Smooth Hoperator
• Stoudts Heifer-in-Wheat
• Stoudts Karnival Kolsch
• Victory Summer Love
• Victory Hop Devil IPA
• Sly Fox O’Reilly’s Stout

Bierkraft is located at 191 5th Avenue between Union and Berkeley Streets in the neighborhood of Park Slope in Brooklyn.

Friday, May 25 – Troeg’s Tasting @ Whole Foods Bowery Beer Room, Manhattan:

Every once in awhile we have to pump up the Bowery Beer room – a pioneer of beering in NYC, especially when they are throwing a great tasting event.  Especially when it’s the rare stuff.  Troeg’s is bringing their hardest to find seasonal brews to share with you.  Additionally, they’ll be pouring growlers of Nugget Nectar, Scratch Batch #55 and Scratch Batch #60 for your “imbibing-to-go” pleasures.

The Whole Fools Bowery Beer Room is located at 95 East Houston Street on the corner of the Bowery in the Lower East Side neighborhood of Manhattan.

The Upper East Side just got way cooler – the genius minds behind The Pony Bar decided that the city needed more craft beer and delicious food and lucky UES-craft-beer-heads are getting the second installation.  It’s been described as the second mecca of craft beer in NYC (after the first Pony of course).  The new spot will be a bit bigger in size and is keeping with the same 20 taps/2 casks system.  Of course everything will be $5 – an exceptionally reasonable price for some of the craft staples and specialty pours of which they always seem to have several on hand.  On top of all that good stuff they will be keeping with the great food, music and rustic Americana atmosphere, all to provide you with arguably the best craft beer drinking experience in the city.

The UES Pony Bar is located at 1444 1st Ave on the corner of 75th St. in the Upper East Side, Manhattan

Tuesday, May 15 – Wednesday, May 16 – Pacific Northwest Beer and Oyster Festival @ The Blind Tiger, Manhattan:

Beer and oysters.  A magical pairing.  No two things go together finer.  Oh, now what’s that you say?  There’s a festival devoted to it happening this Tuesday and Wednesday?  At the Blind Tiger Ale House? Well now, looks like my week is shot.  Going to have to attend of course.  Yes, both nights, obviously.  Oh and all the beer and oysters are from the Pacific Northwest?  You didn’t have to do that, pulling out all the stops to provide me, your average beer drinker, with the best oysters and beer in the country.  Really, it means a lot to me.

The Blind Tiger Ale House is located at 281 Bleecker St on the corner of Jones St. in the West Village, Manhattan

Thursday, May 17 – Long Island Week Draft Event @ Bierkraft, Brooklyn:

Long Island has sure solidified it’s position recently in the East Coast craft beer world.  They went from having one or two to having a half dozen craft breweries in less than a three year period.  And, unlike many products (people) from Long Island, they’ve shed the Strong Island stereotype, producing some of the best beers in this part of the world.  Join Bierkraft for a night of Long Island beer appreciation with the likes of Greenpoint Harbor, Blue Point, Barrier, Southampton and more.

Bierkraft is located at 191 Fifth Ave between Union St and Berkeley Place in Park Slope, Brooklyn

Friday, May 18 – 4th Annual Maine Event @ The Pony Bar, Manhattan:

As if this week wasn’t already totally mind blowingly exciting for the Pony Bar – their Hell’s Kitchen location will be throwing their 4th Annual Maine Beer and Food Event.  That’s right, a weekend where the Pony brings you to the shores, mountains and forests of the northeast’s most rugged wilderness: Maine. Think Shipyard, Allagash, Sea Dog, Sebago, Baxter, Marshall Wharf and Belfast Bay paired alongside scallop sliders, lobster rolls and baskets of fried oysters.

The Pony Bar is located at 637 10th Ave on the corner of 45th Street in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan

Today is the third in the series of the New Belgium Reviews (Dig – Belgo).  New Belgium has recently announced a new $175 million dollar brewery in Asheville, NC and the Beer Friends are terribly excited about it – so we decided to find and review some of their brews to get the East Coast (mainly New England and NYC Area) ready!  Fat Tire is certainly the most popular brew from New Belgium and the name was inspired from the “fat tires” on the mountain bike that the founder Jeff Lebesch rode through European village on his career-inspiring beer tour.  History!  Colorado Beer Tour!  Expansion for Delicious Beer!

Russian River Pliny the Elder came into this tournament as a favorite to win the entire thing and is now one win away from bringing home this blog’s ultimate prize.  This double IPA came through a heavily barrel aged tournament to prove that the IPA is still the preeminent style.  Can the rare elixir from Russian River take down the beer that sets the bar for barrel aging from Founders?

Voting will end Sunday at 11 pm.

Tuesday, May 8 – Sierra Nevada Night @ The One Mile House, Manhattan:

Remember when Sierra Nevada was the only West Coast game in town?  They would throw events and thousands, millions even, of people would turn out just to see what those crazy Pacific Highway dudes were brewing.  Now, they come back around a little bit less often, but it’s okay.  We still love them.  They’ll be taking over some taps tonight at the One Mile House on Delancey.  Expect some fancy and semi-rare brews to be pouring.  Here’s the draft list:

Hoptimum
Ovila Quad
Summerfest

They even say they’ll be more on the night of the event.

Wednesday, May 9 – Craft Can & Grilled Cheese Night @ Nita Nita, Brooklyn:

Hey remember when craft beer cans were new and not yet all the rage?  And we loved Nita Nita for serving them without regard?  Me too.  Well, even though you can barely walk down the street without getting hit in the head with a Dale’s Pale Ale can or a tin of Pork Slap, we still appreciate Nita Nita for being one of the first to jump on that aluminum train.  Hit them up this Wednesday for a tantalizingly good grilled cheese sandwich made with gruyere and 2 craft cans to help ya wash it down.  Only for $15.  Now that’s a cheap, crafty, canny date.

Thursday, May 10 – Founders Festival @ Standings, Manhattan:

One could ask right now if life in the beer world could get any better for Founders.  The answer is probably yes.  They’ll soon figure out how to age the CBS in bacon barrels.  Yes, barrels made only out of bacon.  This Thursday you can grab a nice selection (minus the bacon aged dream beer) of Founders at Standings, including a KBS being tapped at approximately (exactly?) 6:10 pm.  I’ll see ya at 6:05.

Saturday, May 12 – Beer TV Fest @ Jimmy’s No. 43, Manhattan:

Beer apparently is the next Zoey Deschanel.  I take that back, it’s probably a better actor, but they definitely are both getting onto the big screen these days.  Hit up Jimmy’s No. 43 this Saturday for an airing of a series of short films on beer.  While you’re watching you can enjoy several pints.  Which would make any actress, including beer, look better on the big screen.

Paul’s first – Bronx Pale Ale: The first taste on this journey is the base brew for the night and the most available of Bronx Brewery’s beverages. This is a real good beer. I’ve had a few of these in the past few weeks and I really enjoy it. It’s got a great flavor and doesn’t overpower. This is a beer that I gravitate toward and I plan to keep it that way.

Graham’s First - I really appreciate the dry bitter hop flavor alongside the sweet malty finish. Easily drinkable and fast to finish. I will be a happy man when this starts showing up more frequently on draft around the city.

Phil’s First Bronx Pale Ale. It’s a good starter. Slightly hoppy with a bit more on the sweet malty end in my book. It’s a good solid pale ale that should taste pretty familiar to anyone that likes them.

Brad’s First Bronx Pale Ale – enjoyable because it has a bite on the back end that’s missing from typical Pale Ale.

Brad’s Whiskey Woodford Reserve – this is a decent whiskey with a nice burn. Been trying to get into bourbon and this is certainly high on my list.

Paul’s Whiskey Woodford Reserve – I agree with Brad about the burn. It is definitely there. It has a nice flavor to it. It kicks a little harder than than I am used to, it’s definitely not bad but it may take some getting used to.

Phil’s Whiskey Woodford Reserve – N/A

Graham’s Whiskey Woodford Reserve – I like the burn. Let’s you know you’re alive. If you’re used to it then you’re doing something too right.

Paul’s second – Bronx Bourbon Aged Pale Ale- Absolutely delicious! They took a good pale ale and made it one of the best beers I’ve had this year. The way bourbon affects the pale ale is incredible. This is a beer I will seek out again if it is ever available again.

Phil’s 2nd Bronx Bourbon Aged Pale Ale – good god this is delicious! Everyone knows that I do NOT like bourbon, bourbon aged beer however is wonderful. Sweet to start off with the, the bourbon flavor takes over quickly and you don’t look back. Finishes with a little hop taste and a good amount of the alcohol that bourbon lovers enjoy, but not too much to turn this beer guy off. Seek. This. Out.

Brad’s Bronx Bourbon Barrel Aged Pale Ale it’s a mouthful of a name that translates into silence from never wanting to talk again and drink this beer forever. Bronx Pale has a kick that I enjoy but can’t enjoy more than one – the bourbon aging takes the kick out and mellows it out to a completely drinkable (on multiple levels) beverage. This is fantastic and I can’t wait for their other stuff.

Graham’s Third Bronx Bourbon aged Pale ale- ITS GREAT! It definitely takes the edge off the pale ale and replaces it with a smooth bourbony curve. The only problem is that I enjoyed the edge of the pale ale. I’m hit with equal parts disappointment and silky deliciousness. Still would prefer more bite.

Paul’s meat! Slantshack Jerky- I certainly cannot claim to dissect beef jerky half as poorly as I can beer. This jerky is delicious (like that’s a surprise). It’s delicious beef jerky. I would get that again, I certainly plan on seeking out other flavor of Slantshack.

Brad’s meat! Slantshack Jerky- Full disclosure… I’m uncomfortable talking about my meat online – but this was delicious aged in the Bronx Pale Ale – as someone who’s recently gotten into pickling – I’m totally down with the process. Delicious but… Full disclosure… This is my first taste – is it all down from here?

Graham’s meat! Slantshack Jerky- I enjoy me some jerky – staple of any good American road trip. This jerky isn’t as flavorful at first but it evolves quickly in your mouth after you eat several hunks. All of a sudden you notice that the subtle spice and bourbon flavor has been growing this whole time – and you are powerless to stop it.

Phil’s meat! Slantshack Jerky- I love jerky. Love it! This is some really good jerky, subtler than most that I’ve had, but the flavor fills out in a very nice way. Being aged in the Pale Ale is a nice touch and adds a good end to the flavor. I would take a couple of bags of this on any road tip.

Today we visit the garden (state that is) for River Horse Brewing Company from Lambertville, New Jersey.  River Horse produces great beer and most Beer Friends favorite episode to date.  We also visited River Horse during the spring and fall seasons, so now it’s their Double IPA to satisfy the resident hop-heads in the group.

Have you been looking for an excuse to go to Brooklyn?  Well you shouldn’t have been, it’s awesome and you should visit all the time.  But I suppose if you need special motivation then tonight’s Allagash tap takeover at Bar Great Harry (that’s BGH for you true fans) should be plenty.  They’ll be serving up a draft list of impressive proportions that feature a wide range of Allagash brews – mostly Belgian influenced, but with true American heart.

Victoria 2011
Confluence 2011
Saison Mihm
Blonde
Curieux
Four
Tripel
Dubbel
Black
White

Bar Great Harry is located at 280 Smith Street on the Norhwest corner of Sackett Street, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

Tuesday, May 1 – $10 Tuesday Tastings: Sours and Lambics @ Jimmy’s No. 43, Manhattan:

Jimmy’s is doing it again.  And by again, we really mean their consistent devotion towards educating the masses on the varied and delicious world of beer.  This week at their $10 Tuesday Tastings they’ll be featuring Sours and Lambics.  What happens when you add strange and funky yeast and fruit to beer?  Well, come find out tonight and learn yourself something new about a style of brew you’ve probably haven’t had much experience with.

Jimmy’s No. 43 is located at downtown 43 East 7th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, East Village, Manhattan.

Wednesday, May 2 – Sippin’ on Saisons @ The Double Windsor, Brooklyn:

Spring is fast upon us and probably fast leaving us as well.  That means you only have a limited time to consume all the spring styled brews that are out there.  Saisons definitely lapse into summer as well, but we think it’s pretty appropriate to start consuming them now.  The Double Windsor in Brooklyn wants to help you with this goal.  They’ll be serving up six Saisons in order to quench your springtime, farmhand thirst.  Check it out:

Stillwater/Mikkeller Two Gypsies Our Side

Dupont Foret

Hopfenstark Station 7

Flying Dog In De Wildeman Farmhouse IPA

Moinette Blonde

Blaugies la Moneuse

The Double Windsor is located at 210 Prospect Park West on the northwest corner of Windsor Place, Brooklyn.

Thursday, May 3 – IPA NIGHT!!! @ Bierkraft, Brooklyn:

One of the best nights to head to a craft beer bar in all of NYC is back again for another month: IPA Night at Bierkraft!  What other bar in the city could pull such refreshing, innovative and delicious IPAs out of their cellars for the drinking masses?   Come imbibe your favorite hop-packed brews this Thursday with the fantastic staff at Bierkraft.  The list is tba (which means usually, “when you get there”) but there is sure to be little disappointment with what they pull out.

Bierkraft is located at 191 5th Avenue between Berkeley and Union streets, Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Thursday, May 3 – The Bronx Brewery, Woodford Reserve and Slantshack Jerkey Pairing Event @ Idle Hands, Manhattan:

This event can write itself.  For $10 you will get:

• One (1) eight (8) oz draft of Bronx Pale Ale
• One (1) one (1) oz taste of Woodford Reserve
• One (1) three (3) oz taste of Woodford Reserve Barrel Aged Bronx Pale Ale
• One (1) sample pf Slantshack’s Bronx Pale Ale Jerky

All at one of the best beer bars in all of Manhattan with some of the most knowledgeable and friendly staff IN THE WORLD.  Seriously, don’t miss this one.  Just don’t.  It’d be stupid of you.  And it’s time to stop being stupid.

Idle Hands is located in a secret bunker somewhere near 25 Avenue B near 3rd Street in the  Alphabet City of Manhattan.  Just follow the leprechaun’s rainbow to where it meets the pot of bourbon, rock and beer.