Brooklyn Makes Good Beer

Over the weekend, the NY Times wrote about the growth of high-end coffee shops in the city, where cappuccinos are works of art. Well, turns out Brooklyn can boast just as much about brewing beer as it can coffee. In 1960, they write, we produced one-fifth of the nation's beer. After Rheingold and Schaefer closed in the 70s, we produced none. Now, though, with Brooklyn Brewery and newcomers like Sixpoint Craft Ales in Red Hook and Greenpoint Beer Works in Clinton Hill, we're back on the beer map. Why brew here? “We weren’t able to identify any other place in the country that we thought would be as receptive to the type of beers we wanted to make,” said Sixpoint's owner Shane Welch. “Brooklyn had a history of producing beautiful handcrafted stuff, and it was having a creative renaissance.” One obstacle some brewers face: finding adequate commercial space.
Brooklyn Returns to a Heady Time [NY Times]
Photo by landavid.

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Rheingold has been back for some time.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at October 29, 2008 9:33 AM

a great example of tangible production made right here in America as opposed to imports. shouldn't this get more tax incentives?

Posted by: cb6 at October 29, 2008 10:05 AM

Bravo Six Point! I am rewarding them by increasing my intake of their beer.

Oh the sacrifices I make for a good cause . . .

Posted by: Johnny at October 29, 2008 10:13 AM

The Hop Obama that Sixpoint has been making this fall may be the best beer we've ever had...

Posted by: brownstoner at October 29, 2008 10:23 AM

Hop Obama is quite tasty, but the Hop Angel from Chelsea--that's in Manhattan for you serious Brooklynites--is superior. DIBS, Rheingold is only back as a brand, not as a Brooklyn brewery.

Posted by: altervoce at October 29, 2008 10:27 AM

Another vote for Hop Obama. Drank it at Franny's and waaaay too many at the Gate. It'll sneak up on ya.

Posted by: Fjorder at October 29, 2008 10:31 AM

Rheingold was producing a small amount of beer at GBW a few years ago, so they could again claim Brooklyn residency; most of it was still produced in Ithaca or wherever. but i don't even know that they're still bothering.

you know where there's a lot of commercial space? bushwick! i would love to see somebody start up production in one of the old brewery buildings, if there are any left that haven't been turned into apartments.

Posted by: Jimmy Legs at October 29, 2008 11:36 AM

Jimmy, you're right. And although I prefer Hop Angel to Hop Obama, I am a big fan of Six Points. The Righteous Ale is excellent.

Posted by: altervoce at October 29, 2008 12:36 PM

Speaking of righteous craft beer, go to The Gate tonight!

Schmaltz Brewing Co. is having their Freaktoberfest blowout. He'brew craft brews and their line of Coney Island Craft Beers.

Seriously. Good freakin' times shall be had. and you just may find your new favorite hi-test craft beer action. THe lineup:

Posted by: MAT at October 29, 2008 1:39 PM

Coney Island Craft Lagers on draft:
FREAKTOBERFEST - 6.66% Blood Red Lager (Seasonal)
Albino Python - White Lager with Spices
Sword Swallower - Steel Hop Lager
Coney Island Lager - 8 malts, 6 hops, dry hopped
* Barrel Aged Human Blockhead - 9% Strong Lager aged in a Jack Daniels Whiskey Barrel. ***LAST KEG EVER***

HE'BREW on draft:
**INTRODUCING JEWBELATION TWELVE** - First keg tapped in NY!! 12 Malts, 12 Hops, soaring to 12% Alc.
Bittersweet Lenny's RIPA
Origin Pomegranate Ale
Genesis Ale
*Rejewvenator - last tastes of our Summer Seasonal Half Doppelbock, Half Belgian Dubbel with Figs!
*Barrel Aged Messiah Bold - Special one-time project: Messiah Bold aged for 3 months in Rittenhouse 100 Rye Whiskey Barrels

Posted by: MAT at October 29, 2008 1:41 PM

Love the Hop Obama. Recently bought a growler of the Sixpoint/Gorilla Coffee Stout at Bierkraft. Amazing!

Posted by: NsPx at October 29, 2008 2:27 PM

Look at the badge on the cop in the photo with today's post regarding the cancellation of the flea market due to the marathon. That's right!

Posted by: altervoce at October 29, 2008 4:22 PM

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October 29, 2008

Brooklyn Makes Good Beer

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