Craft Beer NYC

Another entry in the new crowded field of Pumpkin Ales from the northeast and mid-atlantic craft breweries. The Pumpkin Ale from Captain Lawrence Brewery in Westchester County, New York is like candy for a fall day.   The overpowering pumpkin flavor is more of a sweet pumpkin pie than a subtle pumpkin accent.  The pumpkin puree is added directly to the mash before primary fermentation and then the assortment of spices are added near the end of the boil.  The hop profile is rounded out with Columbus and Crystal to balance out the Canadian 2-Row and German Vienna malts. 5.0% ABV 7.5/10 Westchester Pumpkins http://www.captainlawrencebrewing.com/the-beers/pumpkin-ale-fall/

This New England IPA has a great nose of spice and pepper.  I want to know who the 2 guys are on the bottle.  Maybe a pair of New Hampshire fisherman folks?  Lobster?    This is my favorite flavor in the SmuttyNose brewery family.   Enjoy with BBQ Chicken sliders and a ballgame. They pride themselves on discussing the natural sediment that appears in their IPA due to the difference in filtration in mass-produced beers.  Maybe their sea lion mascot is the secret to the 'ugly' unfiltered beer, or maybe the charismatic drunkards in the lawn chairs. 6.9% ABV 8.0/10 smuttynose.com

This edition of Dogfish Head's Ancient Ale series is a collaboration from all the three master brewers of Eataly's Birreria.    Originally released in December of 2012,  Sam from Dogfish Head went to Rome, Italy with Teo Musso of Baladin, Leo DeVencenzo of Birra del Borgo, and, molecular archaeologist, Dr. Pat McGovern to examine drinking vessels found in 2,800 Etruscan tombs.  The ancient inspired ingredients include, heirloom Italian wheat, Two-Row barley, tree resins, hazelnut powder, pomegranate, and honey.   Three different varieties will be made of this ancient ale each with a different take on the traditional fermentation techniques used by the Etruscans.  The Dogfish Head version used bronze in the primary fermentation tanks, Baladin used Italian Oak Barrels as wood fermentation, and Birra del Borgo used terra cotta clay fermentors to produce their ancient brew. 9.0/10 Etruscan Mummy Ale's http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/th...

Many attribute Brooklyn with being the place where all great things start.  Now Brooklyn can claim craft beer resurgence.   The spirit of Brooklyn lives on under the domain of home brewer Daniel Hoeffner who had turned his home brew parties into a new kind of urban legend.  In the words of Welcome Back Kotter's Arnold Horshack "OOOH, OOOH, OOOOH".  Set in the backdrop of the historic Prospect Park South neighborhood of Ditmas Park, he has taken self inspired home brewing to the next level.  Upon entry, guests are handed a menu of the night's available ales, ranging from IPA's, to dark wintry ales.   The Ditmas Park IPA, which is the perfect name for one of his core year round staples, is a strong but delightfully floral ale with nice hints of citrus from the Mosaic hops.    Officially the first signature beer to come out of his new stately home, this one deserves to be in the arsenal for many bashes to come.   I ...

This is the second brew out of the Santa Fe Brewing Company that I have posted about in the last couple of months.   The State Pen Porter is big and bold, but stays in control at only 6.4% ABV.    They use Cluster, Cascade, and Willamette hops to balance the 2-row pale, 30-37 I. Crystal, 70-80 I. Crystal, and Chocolate power malts.   Available all year round in a way that even Johnny Cash would be proud.  Indulge wisely my friends! Food Pairings: Dark Meats, Buffalo Sliders, Bratwurst,  and Red Hot & Blue Chips 6.4% ABV 8.5/10 Folsom Prison Blues http://www.santafebrewing.com/our_beer/detail/24