Monthly Archives: August 2012

Pub Crawl NYC reviews Murray's Cheese Bar in Manhattan's West Village

Pub Crawl NYC Reviews

The folks from Murray’s Cheese recently opened a wine and cheese spot three doors west of the cheese shop location.  Taking over from the short-lived Bin on Bleecker (and Bar’rique before that) at 264 Bleecker Street in Manhattan’s West Village, Murray’s Cheese Bar is a must-visit for those who like wine and cheese.  Dozens of wines out-of-the-bottle available, with another 18-20 out of the glass (and 6 quality tap beers).  Open daily from 5pm – 1am, Murray’s Cheese Bar is a long and fairly narrow space.  A long bar is on the left-hand side and seating for parties of two to six opposite the bar.  A kitchen resides in the back.  The food, to state the obvious, centers around cheese.  In addition to cheese plates and chacuterie, Murray’s Cheese Bar offers their take on classic cheese-centered dishes such as grilled cheese and fondue.  We recommend the classic grilled cheese (don’t forget the tomato soup — very tasty!).  This spot is a great addition to the West Village wine bar crawl!

What are your thoughts on Murray’s Cheese Bar?

Bar crawling in Denver, Colorado

Pub Crawl Brooklyn Road Trips, Pub Crawl NYC Reviews

Pub Crawl NYC spent a recent weekend in Denver’s LoDo (Lower Downtown) section.  We were able to sample a few of the area’s drinking establishments.  Below are a few pics from the jaunt around LoDo.

Wynkoop Brewpub offers about 15 taps of their own beer including 2-3 seasonals.

Some of the taps at Wynkoop Brewery
The brewery at Wynkoop

Tavern is a Sports Bar, located in the shadow of Coors Field.  Very spacious lower level on the ground floor.  Nice roofdeck available in warm weather months (see below).  Tavern has bloodymary bar offering nearly 20 fixings!

The view from Tavern's roofdeck looking toward Coors Field.

The next photo below was not a place we visited (it wasn’t open for business during the time we passed by), but the sign says it all.

Thoughts on the breweries in Fort Collins, CO

Pub Crawl Brooklyn Road Trips, Pub Crawl NYC Random Thoughts, Pub Crawl NYC Reviews

Pub Crawl NYC visited the New Belgium Brewery and Odell Brewery in Fort Collins (a detailed take on each one forthcoming).  We did not have enough time during our visit to see additional breweries, so we’ll have to return to Fort Collins to see the other dozen or so.  But, we learned one interesting fact that sets some of these Fort Collins craft breweries apart from their East Coast brethren: The Fort Collins ones are open nearly everyday of the week and for at least eight hours each day.  And, visitors can spend as much or as little time as they would like in the breweries’ tasting rooms.  These breweries are almost like Napa/Sonoma wineries, in that regard.  Most craft breweries on the East Coast are open to the public a day or two (usually only on weekends) and get the visitors in and out in a fairly quick fashion.  Space is likely part of equation here.  Most craft breweries on the East Coast don’t have much room for a large tasting room.  Furthermore, to this Northeast native, life in Fort Collins is much more laid back compared to most East Coast and Northeast cities.  What are your thoughts on this, why do you think Fort Collins’ breweries seem more welcoming and accommodating to their visitors?

Back in NYC!

Pub Crawl NYC Random Thoughts

After spending nearly a week in Colorado, Pub Crawl NYC has returned home and is eager to get back to bar hopping around the five boroughs.  While we are bar crawling around NYC over the next several days, we’ll also share a few highlights from our visit to Denver and Fort Collins.  Please check back frequently for our take on the Denver and Fort Collins bar scene.

Pub Crawl NYC visits The Penrose on Manhattan's Upper East Side

Pub Crawl NYC Reviews

After Pitch & Fork, we headed to The Penrose, located at 1590 Second Avenue (between 82nd and 83rd Streets).  The Penrose is another gastropub, that is more bar than restaurant.  The Penrose is owned by the same group as the downtown spot, The Wren.  Spacious spot with two bar areas.  About a dozen quality tap beers, The Penrose is on the cusp of being part of the Upper East Side craft-beer focused NYC bar crawl.

The ground floor at the front entrance.
The front bar area

 

The back bar area.

Pub Crawl NYC visits Pitch & Fork on Manhattan's Upper East Side

Pub Crawl NYC Reviews

On a recent weekend evening, Pub Crawl NYC visited Pitch & Fork as well as The Penrose.

More restaurant than bar, Pitch & Fork is a gastropub, located at 1606 First Avenue (between 83rd and 84th Streets).  Eight mostly-quality tap beers.  Try the meat & cheese platter!

The small bar area just past the main entrance
The dining area in the back part of the space

Check back later this week for our brief take on The Penrose!

Pub Crawl NYC visits the Mayflower Brewery in Plymouth, MA

Pub Crawl Brooklyn Road Trips, Pub Crawl Brooklyn Visits

On a recent weekend trip to Cape Cod, Pub Crawl NYC decided it was worth a small detour north to Plymouth, MA and the Mayflower Brewery.  Mayflower, which started in 2008, has four year-round offerings, along with one or two seasonals.  The IPA is our favorite.  Here are some pictures of our visit.  Tasting hours and tours are available on Saturdays, 11am – 3pm.  No reservation required.

This is the main entrance. An otherwise unassuming two story office building. Doesn't look like a brewery, does it?
Through the main entrance is the tasting room. Can fit 30-40 visitors fairly comfortably. Free six ounce samples available here before during and after the tour. Also growlers available for sale.
The Mash Tun, where the brewing process begins.
The Aging Tanks
Bottling line. Few breweries this size that we've visited (approx. 6,000 barrels annually) have their own bottling line.

Great time, friendly staff.  The next time you find yourself in or near Plymouth, MA, the Mayflower brewery is worth a visit.