Monthly Archives: October 2014

A review of Boilermaker in Manhattan's East Village

Located at 13 First Ave near the corner of First and First in the East Village (and taking over the former Golden Cadillac spot), Boilermaker is a smallish spot offering 11 house cocktails (at ‘only’ $11 a piece).  Living up to its name, Boilermaker offers five beer and shot pairings.  12 tap beers and five beers out of bottle/can (a few cocktails on tap as well). Food offerings primarily consist of burgers and wings.  A solid addition to the East Village First Avenue NYC bar crawl!Boilermaker

 

A review of Hamilton's in Brooklyn's Windsor Terrace

Located at 2826 Fort Hamilton Parkway in Windsor Terrace (or is it Kensington?), Hamilton’s is probably more cafe/rest than a bar.  Hamilton’s is likely the only option for beer geeks in this section of Windsor Terrace.  Offering 20 mostly quality tap beers, Hamilton’s is the first spot we’ve visited that offers Flagship beer from Staten Island. The bar area takes up 1/3 of the space, with the rest of the space for diners. Small outdoor area near the main entrance. Food menu consists of a mix of bar and bistro fare.  Brunch offered on weekends.

Hamilton

A visit to Staten Island's Flagship Brewing Company

Located at 40 Minthorne Street in the Tompkinsville section of Staten Island, the Flagship Brewing Company opened in 2013 (“Unforgettable Beer Brewed in the Forgotten Borough” is their slogan).  It’s about a 12-minute walk from the ferry terminal in St. George (or one stop away from St. George on the Staten Island Railway).  During our visit, they offered four beers to sample (or for takeaway via 64-oz growlers).  Fairly spacious, the tasting room offers numerous picnic tables for group seating.  On the opposite side of the room from the beer taps is a stand where you buy your tasting tickets (pint or growler) and brewery memorabilia.  We look forward to returning here.

Flagship Brewery 1

Flagship Brewery 2

A review of Brooklyn's Berg'n

Located at 889 Bergen Street in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights, Berg’n, from the same people as Smorgasbord, is part beer hall / part food joint.  Very spacious with numerous communal indoors (there’s also a small outdoor area), Berg’n offers 20 quality tap beers, including numerous NY-metro area brews.  Food offerings include, among others, Mighty Quinn BBQ and Pizza Moto slice shop.  This is a great spot and we look forward to returning.  We just wish Berg’n were closer to our other Prospect Heights NYC pub crawl routes.

Bergn

Our return visit to Rockaway Brewing Company in Long Island City, Queens

We visited the brewery earlier this year.  On a recent return visit, the enlarged tasting room had been opened (see photo below).  Now, you can bring several of your friends to visit on your next LIC pub crawl and it won’t feel so cramped.  Four-oz samples available via a four sample flight.  We were a bit disappointed that pints were no longer available to buy for on-premises consumption (you can buy pint-sized mason jars and growlers for takeaway).  Either way, we look forward to another return visit here.

Rockaway BC 5

A review of Rocka Rolla in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Located at 486 Metropolitan Avenue, and from the same folks behind Skinny Dennis (which is about ½ mile west on Metropolitan Avenue), Rocka Rolla offers a retro vibe including wood paneling and classic lighted beer signs.  The space was previously Brooklyn Stable (and Odyssea before that).  Rocka Rolla offers patrons 15 tap beers.   For activities, Rocka Rolla offers Shuffleboard, buckhunter and pinball in a back room.

Rocka Rolla