Craft Beer NYC

Milwaukee has a deep history and connection with the American Brewing industry however often doesn't get talked about in the craft brewery scene.   Lakefront Brewery dates back to 1987, a time of Guns & Roses' Appetite for Destruction and KICK from INXS.   Jim and Russ Klisch started this as a true family operation, inspiring each other to experiment with home brewing and then going professional.  Their grandfather was a driver for Schlitz, so the brewing industry runs in the family.  The White is part of their Organic and Gluten-Free portfolio, and they have the honor of having had the first registered Organic and Gluten-Free beer in the country.  Wonderfully spiced with organic coriander and organic orange peel, this medium bodied, Belgian style ale has a balance of wheat and fruity tasting notes with the crisp finish fueled by the higher carbonation levels.   This puts new meaning to "Muscles from Brussels". Food Pairing:  Traditional Belgian ...

Kolsch is a classic German variety brewed to help celebrate Karnival in the Cologne or Koln region of Germany.  The brewers at Schlafly have an insider edge into securing yeast from Koln, given the wife of the brewery co-founder was born in Germany.  They linked up with the Gaffel Brewery of Koln to share their yeast strain.   They use Hallertau Tradition and Perle German hops to combine with the Pale, Wheat, Munich, and Carapils malted barley to create this European inspired creation.   The Koln Brewery Yeast distinguishes this one from other American variations on this carefully curated German tradition that is so sacred, only beer brewed in that region can officially be called Kolsch.  The American varieties get around the issue by labelling them Kolsch style vs. actually Kolsch.   The yeast needs a temperature of 63 degrees to work its magic, which is on the colder side for a fermentation temperature, which is then cold conditioned to round out the cris...

Founder Mark Johnsen started RJ Rockers in Spartanburg, South Carolina back in 1997.   Mark learned the art of brewing while being stationed in Germany after the Gulf War.   Son of a Peach is now the most popular selection in their portfolio.  Once started as a seasonal but now available all year round, this unfiltered wheat ale fills out the tasting notes with real South Carolina peaches.   This one is definitely a leader in the category of fruit flavored American wheat beers. 6.0% ABV 8/10 Peach Cobbler's http://www.rjrockers.com/#!2our-beer/cwwg

This unique American style Farmhouse Ale is brewed with European malts and hops from the United States and New Zealand.   The team at Stillwater uses a farmhouse ale yeast and bottle conditions each batch.   Innovation and experimentation are some of the founding principles that makes Stillwater a showcase for some of the best modern-day craft brewing of this era.  This is available mostly in bottles in NYC in Whole Foods and speciality markets around Manhattan and Brooklyn.  All the Stillwater beer is distributed by Twelve Percent out of Brooklyn, NY and is bottled and brewed either in Connecticut or Maryland. 6.8% ABV 9.0/10

Are you Tough Enough to handle the power of this unfiltered powerful brown ale?   Watch out for hints of caramel and vanilla as this ale is aged in custom wood brewing vessels from exotic Paraguayan Palo Santo wood custom built in the Dogfish Head Brewery in Milton, Delaware.  The translation of Palo Santo means "holy tree" and has been used in South American wine-making for centuries.  This intense roasted brown ale is amped up to 12% ABV and will knock you off your feet with just one glass.   This has been in production since 2007 and the shelf life for the wood tanks is only another 10-15 years, so drink up while you can.  The 10,000 gallon tank has the slots of wood pressed together without fasteners, and is truly an amazing feat of craftsmanship, which I got to witness first hand during my visit last September. 10.0/10 God of War Thunder Claps! 12% ABV http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/year-round-brews/palo-santo-marron.htm Are you Toug...

This even balanced American style ale is part of the year round portfolio from the eastern end of Long Island craft brew masters. Greenport has been in operation since 2009, but just recently launched their bottled line across most of the New York area, including Whole Foods. Their Harbor Ale sits right between their two hoppy IPA's and the seasonal Summer Ale on the craft spectrum.    A nice hop blend of Warrior, Cascade, and Glacier varieties with 30% wheat malt give the Harbor Ale a light, but medium full body flavor and some citrus and tropical tasting notes. 5.3% ABV 7.5/10 Long Islanders http://www.greenportharborbrewing.com