America’s TOP 100 Beer Pub’s & Bar’s in the Northeast for 2013
Looking over the list, I can say that I have only been to 1 of 3 listed (Rattle N Hum) in NYC. But I intend to change that ASAP! Looks like a field trip is in order! Off on a Beer-venture!
TOP Craft Beer Pub’s & Bar’s in NYC for 2013 (See entire list for Northeast below)
RATTLE N HUM | New York City
Just blocks from the Empire State Building, this beer-geek bar’s the best spot around to escape bustling Midtown Manhattan. An inviting, stretched-out space houses the crowds who make friends at the communal tables in the back. Order something to share, like Sixpoint Grand Crue, or indulge yourself with whatever’s on cask. 14 E. 33rd St., rattlenhumbarnyc.com
BLIND TIGER | New York City
This Bleecker Street bar exudes Village character: dimly lit, charmingly cramped and packed with whispering patrons sipping on goblets of Belgian sour ales. Go Wednesday nights when the bar offers free cheeses to pair alongside its lengthy list of worldly brews. 281 Bleecker St., blindtigeralehouse.com
TOP HOPS BEER SHOP | New York City (NEW TO THIS YEAR’S LIST!)
A former Anheuser-Busch distributor took every guy’s beer-cave dreams and brought them to life in this minimalist Lower East Side tasting room. One of the world’s most stats-rich chalkboard menus details the 20 taps (including when the lines were last cleaned), bright coolers stock more than 700 bottles, and the friendly staff is generous with their help—and samples. 94 Orchard St., tophops.com
TOP Craft Beer Pub’s & Bar’s in Brooklyn for 2013 (See entire list for Northeast below)
BEER TABLE | Brooklyn
Justin and Tricia Philips focus on the truly artisanal at their tiny Brooklyn haunt, pouring vintage brews, incredible bottles and constantly changing rare taps for experimental pairings with everything from cheese to dehydrated watermelon. Linger for the pairing dinners, or stop into the Grand Central Station retail spot to take the experience home. 427b 7th Ave., beertable.com
BIERKRAFT | Brooklyn (NEW TO THIS YEAR’S LIST!)
The first spot in the Big Apple to sell growlers, this upbeat, 18-tap beer and sammy shop (and biergarten, and bottle shop) is just another testament to Brooklyn’s beer health. Free bites and brew tastings on Tuesday are one reason to go, but an even better one? The creative pours coming from the staff-manned brewing system. 191 Fifth Ave., bierkraft.com
SPUYTEN DUYVIL | Brooklyn
Embodying Brooklyn’s cool, artisan vibe, this easy-to-miss spot has a backyard-style garden and a serious beer list served properly, plus a solid collection of Belgians to geek out over. Hungry? Get the artisanal meat and cheese plate, or head across the street to the (same owner’s) lauded BBQ joint, Fette Saue. 359 Metropolitan Ave., spuytenduyvilnyc.com
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THE ARMSBY ABBEY | Worcester, Mass.
The cozy corner pub Armsby Abbey offers one of the most impressive beer selections on this list: Rarities like Cantillon Iris 2007 and hyperelusive beers like Anchorage Lovebuzz saison make it a beer ticker’s paradise. 144 Main St., armsbyabbey.com
BEER TABLE | Brooklyn
Justin and Tricia Philips focus on the truly artisanal at their tiny Brooklyn haunt, pouring vintage brews, incredible bottles and constantly changing rare taps for experimental pairings with everything from cheese to dehydrated watermelon. Linger for the pairing dinners, or stop into the Grand Central Station retail spot to take the experience home. 427b 7th Ave., beertable.com
THE BIER BARON TAVERN | Washington, D.C.
A Washington institution, this cavernous beer hall and inn (formerly The Brickskeller) in the capital’s Dupont Circle neighborhood is as essential to visit as the Smithsonian: Its exhaustive 550-plus beer list spans brewing history, from ancient gruits to black IPAs and everything in between. 1523 22nd St. NW, bierbarondc.com
BIERKRAFT | Brooklyn (NEW TO THIS YEAR’S LIST!)
The first spot in the Big Apple to sell growlers, this upbeat, 18-tap beer and sammy shop (and biergarten, and bottle shop) is just another testament to Brooklyn’s beer health. Free bites and brew tastings on Tuesday are one reason to go, but an even better one? The creative pours coming from the staff-manned brewing system. 191 Fifth Ave., bierkraft.com
BLIND TIGER | New York City
This Bleecker Street bar exudes Village character: dimly lit, charmingly cramped and packed with whispering patrons sipping on goblets of Belgian sour ales. Go Wednesday nights when the bar offers free cheeses to pair alongside its lengthy list of worldly brews. 281 Bleecker St., blindtigeralehouse.com
THE BREWER’S ART | Baltimore
Sipping snifters inside this historic Baltimore townhome feels like a surreal open house. The venue’s sun-splashed foyer and cozy fireplace set the stage for the brewpub’s delicious Belgian-inspired creations and esoteric guest beers that make this piece of real estate a beer lover’s dream destination. 1106 N. Charles St., thebrewersart.com
CHURCHKEY | Washington, D.C.
Everything beer guru Greg Engert touches turns to gold, but Churchkey remains his crowning achievement: A swanky bar with more beer than D.C. lobbyists, Churchkey’s the spark that started the capital’s craft beer revolution. 1337 14th St. NW, churchkeydc.com
Max’s Taphouse
DEEP ELLUM | Allston, Mass.
From beer to spirits, the steam punkish Deep Ellum offers discerning taste without pretension. Its to-die-for beer list (seriously, Cantillon Saint Lamvinus is on there) is so perfectly curated, it’s even more jaw-dropping than the list of historic Manhattan cocktail creations. 477 Cambridge St., deepellum-boston.com
EBENEZER’S PUB | Lovell, Maine
Inside an old farmhouse, bar owner and beer connoisseur Chris Lively stables one of the most extensive beer collections on earth. Beyond the 18 taps pouring impossible-to-find stuff, he serves more than 1,000 bottles (including vintages dating back to the ’60s), and his cellar boasts some of the most obscure beers in the world. 44 Allen Rd., ebenezerspub.net
EULOGY BELGIAN TAVERN | Philadelphia
It’s the bar where everyone knows your name—or, at least, where they’re willing to learn it while tucking into a pot of mussels and a goblet of Duvel. A few blocks from Independence Hall, this shadowy Belgian-inclined pub manages to pack a huge beer list and big Philly hospitality into one tiny colonial space. 136 Chestnut St., eulogybar.com
THE FARMHOUSE | Emmaus, Pa.
The English-style pub inside this 19th-century stone farmhouse specializes in vintage beer, and if you’ve got the cash (like $250 for a bottle of 1994 Chimay Grand Reserve), the drinking sessions in this bucolic setting will be among your most memorable. 1449 Chestnut St., thefarmhouse.com
THE GREAT LOST BEAR | Portland, Maine
Part of the beer-bar Old Guard, this Portland dive has everything you want in a beer bar: a tavern vibe, an unfussy crowd, a gigantic wing-and-burger-driven menu, and a treasure trove of beer. More than 50 taps (including a handful of casks) pour one of the greatest roundups of Northeastern brew, roping in offerings from regional stars like Maine’s Baxter, New Hampshire’s Tuckerman and Vermont’s Switchback. 540 Forest Ave., greatlostbear.com
THE GREY LODGE PUBLIC HOUSE | Philadelphia
This northeast Philly blue-collar bar feels like the same lodge granddad would have escaped to for a few rounds of lager with his war buddies. The laid-back atmosphere and friendly banter remains, but the Lodge’s strict keg-rotating policy and emphasis on fresh regional craft is certainly 21st century. 6235 Frankford Ave., greylodge.com
MAX’S TAPHOUSE | Baltimore
Check your nerd at the door: Sure, you can sip a Goose Island Pere Jacques here, but this Inner Harbor bar’s more than its 140 drafts and 1,200-plus bottles. With a cool twentysomething crowd and vibrant weekend scene, this is the best place around to knock back craft and score digits on a Saturday night. 737 S. Broadway St., maxs.com
MEMPHIS TAPROOM | Philadelphia
Off the beaten path, this classy Kensington corner joint is where locals go to explore everything from Italian barleywines to local pours from the beer engine. If you’re feeling peckish, know this: The Taproom’s kitchen even took Guy Fieri to flavor town on an episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” 2331 E. Cumberland St., memphistaproom.com
MONK’S CAFÉ | Philadelphia
“It’s in my home city of Philly, and it delivers everything a beer lover needs:?All the food incorporates beer, a huge beer selection and a super-knowledgeable and engaging staff.” –Jimmy Seifrit, 10 Barrel Brewing 264 S. 16th St., monkscafe.com
NOVARE RES BIER CAFÉ | Portland, Maine
Blink and you’ll miss the sign pointing the way to this off-the-beaten-cobblestone-path Old Port neighborhood bar. Once inside the delightfully warm, brick pub, grab a seat at one of the communal tables and get decisive: This little bar stocks more than 500 beers from around the world. 4 Canal Plaza, novareresbiercafe.com
Top Hops Beer Shop
THE PUBLICK HOUSE | Brookline, Mass.
This Boston-area bar’s packed to the rafters with students each night, but the Publick House isn’t a typical college bar: With its deliciously Old World tap and bottle selection (predominantly Belgian and Belgian-style) and authentic abbey décor, it’s the perfect place to study up on Trappist beer culture. 1648 Beacon St., 617.277.2880
RATTLE N HUM | New York City
Just blocks from the Empire State Building, this beer-geek bar’s the best spot around to escape bustling Midtown Manhattan. An inviting, stretched-out space houses the crowds who make friends at the communal tables in the back. Order something to share, like Sixpoint Grand Crue, or indulge yourself with whatever’s on cask. 14 E. 33rd St., rattlenhumbarnyc.com
SPUYTEN DUYVIL | Brooklyn
Embodying Brooklyn’s cool, artisan vibe, this easy-to-miss spot has a backyard-style garden and a serious beer list served properly, plus a solid collection of Belgians to geek out over. Hungry? Get the artisanal meat and cheese plate, or head across the street to the (same owner’s) lauded BBQ joint, Fette Saue. 359 Metropolitan Ave., spuytenduyvilnyc.com
SUNSET GRILL & TAP | Allston, Mass.
With a selection as vast in scope as the majors of liberal arts students who populate the bar, energetic Sunset’s one of the best spots in Boston to learn beer. Cram your way through epic lists of IPAs, lambics, strong ales and meads before diving into higher-level studies in beer cocktails, like the Cincinnati Lunch Box, a blend of Allagash White, orange juice and Amaretto. 130 Brighton Ave., allstonsfinest.com
THREE PENNY TAPROOM | Montpelier, Vt.
From its wooden sign to its awning and glass bay window façade, this place is a picture-perfect Main Street bar—which happens to reside on an actual Main Street. Inside, the venue’s antique tin ceiling endures, but the liquid is anything but antiquated: A nicely curated list of mostly regional brews (like Lawson’s Finest Hopzilla) makes this charming bar a craft beer force. 108 Main St., threepennytaproom.com
TOP HOPS BEER SHOP | New York City (NEW TO THIS YEAR’S LIST!)
A former Anheuser-Busch distributor took every guy’s beer-cave dreams and brought them to life in this minimalist Lower East Side tasting room. One of the world’s most stats-rich chalkboard menus details the 20 taps (including when the lines were last cleaned), bright coolers stock more than 700 bottles, and the friendly staff is generous with their help—and samples. 94 Orchard St., tophops.com