Collaborating for a Cause | Timber Ales’ Stay Strong Alex

This series has been a humbling experience. Not only have we had the opportunity to cover more participating breweries than we ever thought, but we have also seen endless generosity both in support of these installments and, more importantly, in support of Alex Kidd as he continues to fight for his life. Timber Ales is the next feature in Collaborating for a Cause, and we had the privilege of talking with Owner and Brewer Jason Stein about his iteration of Stay Strong Alex and the impact that Don’t Drink Beer has had on his own journey.
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Mortalis Brewing | Peach Brandy Leto

Mortalis Brewing out of Avon, NY, has been making a lot of noise recently in the world of craft beer. Whether it be their smoothie-style Sours or their big and brooding barrel-aged offerings, this talented group have proven exactly why they belong in the conversation of being one of the best young breweries in the country. For this Mother’s Day, there may not be a better beer to open to honor mothers everywhere than the Peach Brandy Barrel-Aged Leto Imperial Stout.

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Barrel Room Spotlight | Mortalis Brewing

Entering the Barrel Room Spotlight for round two is another young but quickly-growing brewery out of Avon, New York. Since opening their doors in 2018, Mortalis Brewing has striven to create a portfolio of beers that both utilize the finest ingredients and break the mold to stand out in a competitive market. Beyond that, they want their beers to be enjoyed in a relaxed environment that promotes memorable and heartfelt human connection. Through this unpretentious and admirable formula, Mortalis has also succeeded in establishing a strong program of barrel-aged beers. We had the opportunity to speak with Paul Grenier, one of the co-owners of Mortalis Brewing, and really get a “behind-the-scenes” look at the inner workings of their barrel room.

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Brewery Showcase | Strong Rope Brewery

It’s highly unlikely that Strong Rope Brewery owner Jason Sahler envisioned barley and sailboats when he earned his Sustainability degree from New York University. Yet there he was several years later, receiving a delivery of New York State grown barley that had been sailed down the Hudson River to his brewery in Brooklyn. It’s just one example of the unanticipated ways Sahler applies his sustainability background to his business. Read More

2020 New York Best in Beer Year-End Honors

If there was one thing 2020 gave us plenty of, other than anxiety, it was the chance to focus on our local beer scenes. Without travel, and with many states relaxing shipping laws, we had plenty of time to contemplate the state of the world and social distance with our favorite brews. New York was the early focal point of the pandemic, enacting changes swifter than most other states, forcing breweries to adapt to the new NY normal. Much like how the vine has to struggle to produce the best grapes, NY breweries persevered and produced some incredible products this year, expanding their catalogs, increasing distribution and pushing boundaries. This list will highlight some of the best beers, breweries and stories to come out of NY last year. So, without further ado, we present the 2020 New York Best in Beer Year-End Honors.

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Industrial Arts Brewing Co. | State of the Art Series: Helles Lager

In sharp contrast to Wrench, Industrial Arts’ incredibly popular NEIPA, their Helles from the State of the Art series is exceedingly bright. Its execution is consistent with the entire ethos of the brewery, perfectly captured by its name. Read More

Wolf and Warrior Brewing Company | B127 Double NE IPA

“Autobots, Transform And Roll Out!” B127 is a Double New England IPA brewed by Wolf and Warrior Brewing Company in White Plains, New York. As it should be, this NEIPA is juicy, brewed by packing together malted oats, red wheat, flaked oats, a pinch of milk sugar, pilsner and pale malts. This base then marries a double dry hop of Tahoma, Sabro, Mosaic, and of course, the inimitable Citra.

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Other Half Brewing Company | Space Broccoli

Other Half Space Broccoli seems like the perfect beer to commemorate this summer’s first splashdown of American astronauts from space in 45 years. Space is cool again, with astronauts heading to the space station from U.S. soil and NASA planning a new mission to the moon for 2024. You see people wearing NASA shirts, not ironically, and breweries are pumping out space-themed beers at quite a clip. Other Half is no exception.

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Dutchess Ales | GB

On paper, Dutchess Ales GB doesn’t scream traditional English Ale. This Pale Ale includes a variety of hops like Centennial and Amarillo, and ferments with a hybrid yeast containing three different strains, none of them English in origin. However, this is a beer that works well in the pub (remember those?), several pints at a time. In that sense, it’s 100 percent spot on. Read More

Brewery Ommegang | Hennepin Farmhouse Saison

Within the craft beer culture, there is this quest to get your hands on the next great beer. To search and find those rare tappings or trendy styles requires strategy. This never-ending adventure to figuratively and literally quench that thirst, in itself, is enjoyable and opens a door for you to make new friends, memories and drink some phenomenal beers. This has helped drive the growth of the booming industry and encourages positive creativity among brewers. Although once I have tasted and checked a specific beer in on Untappd, the short-termed memory fades into the abyss and I am immediately on to the next one. That is why I like to take a step back every once in a while, revisit my roots and remind myself of why I even wandered down this trail in the first place. Read More

Ultimate 6er | The CW’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

“He made me feel warm like glitter was exploding inside me”

These words are from the first episode of CW’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and I have felt that way ever since. When the show first came out, everyone (myself included) rolled his or her eyes just because the title evokes that same type of romantic drama we know too well. I couldn’t be more wrong; Rachel Bloom’s comedy-musical series was one of the most original, introspective takes on will they-won’t they wacky love featuring great commentary on mental illness. Along with the witty writing, you get high quality, hilarious songs that riff on every genre like the Marilyn Monroe inspired “The Math of Love Triangles” and the best pop-punk song since 2009, “Ping Pong Girl.” Read More

Equilibrium Brewery | Fractal Citra/Galaxy IPA

Nestled in Hudson Valley, NY, lays a new brewery that has been cranking out some fantastic, flavorful and experimental beers. Founded by two MIT engineering graduates who shared a passion for homebrewing, Equilibrium Brewery began distributing their delicious beverages in the latter half of 2016. They follow the belief that beer can be better when scientific principles are followed that focus on balancing drinkability with the flavor. The beers they are brewing are inviting, just waiting for you to take the next sip. They’ve been able to channel their scientific backgrounds and love of craft beer and create something worth praising.
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Southern Tier Brewing Co. | Nu Skool IPA

ABV: 6% | IBU: 55

As fruitier and juicier IPAs crowd the market, the debate has ensued as to whether this is the best route for the beer style. Personally, I think both can coincide, and I hope that we continue to see the classic more bitter IPAs, as well as the NE-style IPAs, flourish. One excellent example of a fruity (but not over the top) IPA is Nu Skool IPA from Southern Tier Brewing Company.

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NYC Rising Breweries Reflect on 2016 and Look Ahead to 2017

Photo courtesy of Miguel Rivas 

Similar to our recent post covering breweries country-wide, we have also connected with a handful of brewers from NYC to reflect on this past year and what 2017 has in store for their up-and-coming breweries, as well as the craft beer industry as a whole. Four top-notch rising breweries in Brooklyn have shared intimate insights and projections for what’s next: Threes Brewing, Interboro Spirit & Ales, Finback Brewery and Kings County Brewers Collective.

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Harlem Brewing Company | Renaissance Wit

ABV: 5.8% | IBU: 12

The mere utterance of Harlem likely evokes a myriad of imagery; it’s a section of New York City that’s oozing with history. The name and label artwork adorning a bottle of Harlem Brewing Company Renaissance Wit speaks to that wealth of history – beer history, music history, cultural history, and everything in between. But, when reviewing a beer, one must refrain from being swayed by the story attached to a beer or brewery. Instead, the beer must be judged on its own merits, and that is what this showcase aims to do. Nevertheless, there’s no reason history and culture can’t be included in the discussion. Craft has always been more than just about beer, and this wheat beer personifies that concept.

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2 Days, 2 Nights | NYC Craft Beer Scene

Ah, New York City. You’ve made it! Even if only for a weekend. As you read our guide, keep in mind that although we have enough recs to heavily stack your stay with activities, NYC is best enjoyed in small doses. Pace yourself to what feels doable, OR, do it BIG style. Read More

The Bronx Brewery | Bronx Banner Release Party Recap

It’s here and it’s delicious! This no-frills pale ale is straight to the point. After a hard day’s work, let it play on your palate and quench your thirst. Grab it in a can, or pull it from the tap. Trust me: you’ll be fully satiated. Read More

Bronx Brewery B-Sides | Uptown Coffee Milk Stout

ABV: 6.8 | IBU: 36

BREWING: January – February

I’m just going to get straight to the point: this limited release was so delicious that my weekend morning coffee ritual was immediately replaced by Uptown Coffee Milk Stout via the growler purchased.

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NYC Beer Week Preview | An Interview with the President

Photo Courtesy of Brooklyn Brewery

It’s almost here!!! In preparation for the opening day of NYC Beer Week, I had a conversation with Kelly Taylor, President of the NYC Brewer’s Guild (host for NYCBW) and owner of KelSo Beer. Keep on scrolling to find out the inside scoop on what’s happening in the Big Apple, and how to line up your itinerary!

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Southern Tier Brewing Co. | Crème Brûlée

ABV: 9.5%

One of the best aspects of a bottle share is bountiful sampling of new flavors, sharing reviews and basking in memories with friends, while also drinking an insane amount of delicious beers leading to that rewarding, almost necessary hangover the next morning.

Another bonus, especially if you host such an event, is the left over bottles that didn’t get to be enjoyed. Read More