Posts Tagged“beer”

Finalists Announced for NYCR 2011 New York Beers of the Year Tasting

By Julia Burke, Beer Editor On behalf of the NYCR Beer Team, I’m proud to announce that our “Beers of the Year” program has grown to ten nominees this year.2011 was a huge year for growth and exciting change and we are thrilled to recognize these outstanding breweries, scattered all over the state, for crafting some amazing brews. The following beers represent numerous styles (and riffs on styles), brewing philosophies, techniques, and ingredients but all demonstrate a commitment to quality that makes us proud to say we’re from New York. Western New York breweries: Southern Tier Brewing Company XXIPA Southern…

Upstate Craft Beer & Oyster Bar: A Small Town Haven in the Big City

By David Flaherty, New York City Correspondent “Why craft beer and oysters?” I asked. “Because those are the two things I know best,” Shane replied. New York City. For those of you who don’t call this crazy place home, you really can’t understand the small town feel of this place. “The what?!,” you ask dumbfounded. I said, the small town feel—community, routine, rhythm, familiar faces and integrity. You may not know it from the outside, but NYC is a patchwork of neighborhoods, a mosaic of people with different backgrounds and passions, all stepping up to the same deli counters, walking…

Gravity-Defying Success in Lakewood, NY: Expansion at Southern Tier Brewery

By Julia Burke, Beer Editor BeerAdvocate, perhaps the most respected voice in the craft beer world, publishes a list of the “Top 50 American Breweries” as chosen out of 1,400 breweries and brewpubs across the United States. In 2007, a small Western New York brewery appeared on the list amidst the Russian Rivers and Stones of the world — Southern Tier Brewing Company in Lakewood, New York. Exciting as it was, the listing came as no surprise to the devoted band of followers Southern Tier has earned over the years — fans who will drink whatever Southern Tier brew is…

Saranac Octoberfest

By Kevin Burns, Beer Columnist The leaves are changing and the weather is getting cooler. While these signs mark the arrival of fall to many people, I know it is Fall when Oktoberfest and Pumpkin Ales start to show up on the shelves of beer stores.   This week's beer review is fo Saranac Octoberfest Lager from the F.X. Matt Brewing Company.   Saranac's Octoberfest poured a dark copper color with a two-finger width of white head. The nose is pleasant, and well balanced with malt up front and distinct hop aromas underneath. There is a faint trace of spices as well.  The body has a…

Brown’s Brewing Company IPA (Troy, NY)

I'm not a big cocktail or spirit guy (though I do enjoy a little Bourbon with some regularlity). No, when I'm not drinking wine, beer is what you'll find in my glass most often. I probably drink as much beers as I do wine actually, because: They come in single-serving packages I can enjoy it without feeling compelled to pull out my notebook My beer knowledge pales in comparison to what I know about wine, and that's okay with me. In some ways, I prefer it that way. But, the geek (and my beer-loving buddy Woody) seem to be changing…

Drink Local Beer. It’s That Simple.

By Donavan Hall, Beer Columnist Lenn asked me to write a year-end post and I've been mulling over what you might be interested in hearing about.  I could give you a list of all the great locally brewed, Long Island beers that I've tasted this year. I could tell you which ones were my favorites, but in the end such lists and recommendations reflect a personal taste. They might prompt you to try something new, but ultimately you'll have to decide for yourself what you like. So, instead, I'd like to tell you about what I've been thinking about this…

Holloween Costume Firkin Friday at DEKS in Rocky Point

By Donavan Hall, Beer Columnist While I've been off promoting my new book, The Beer Hall Guide to Long Island, the beer scene has been moving and shaking.  There are many opportunities coming up and going on where the beer-curious drinker to find and taste some excellent beers and to improve their beer knowledge.  The Long Island Beer and Malt Enthusiasts are now hosting a series of beer "study" sessions (once a month on a Thursday, see the Long Island Beer Calendar) where beer experts and novices come together at one table to taste and discuss the history and qualities…

Firkin Friday @ Deks a Huge Success

Home brew champion and LENNDEVOURS contributing columnist Donavan Hall has been inviting me to local beer-related events for some time now. In fact, he’d say that it’s been 4 years. I’m not so sure that it’s been that long, but it had been way too long before I finally took him up on it and attended Firkin Friday at Deks in Rocky Point, NY on Friday night. Those in attendance enjoyed the Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale on cask, as well as several other terrific brews. It was a pleasure to meet fellow members of the Long Island Beer & Malt…

November 9th Cask Night at Deks

By Donavan Hall, Beer Columnist A little over a month ago I told you about the first "Firkin Friday" at Deks in Rocky Point. We had a good turn out of local beer enthusiasts to sample a Long Island-brewed, cask-conditioned ale. I snapped this pic of my brewing colleague, Mike, taking the first sip of the first pint of Blue Point Oatmeal Stout at our first Cask Night. That’s the back end of the firkin on the right. Dean and Kevin (the owners of Deks) are going to host another Firkin Friday on the 9th of November. Mark your calendar.…

Long Island Beer Event: Cask Night at Deks – Firkin Friday

By Beer Columnist Donavan Hall Put this on your calendar! Firkin Friday at Deks in Rocky Point will feature a firkin of cask conditioned Oatmeal Stout from Blue Point Brewing Company. The cask will be tapped at 9 p.m. on Friday, September 28, 2007.  If you never had cask conditioned ale, now’s your chance.  If you love cask conditioned ale already, come on out and join us. Cask conditioned ale is a young beer. The brewing process for the ale is the same, but just as the primary fermentation slows, the beer is transferred from the fermenter to a cask…