Photo: bitchcakesny

Greenpoint has good, cheap vodka…go figure. [NY Examiner]

W’Burg tells City “Streets are clean.” [Brooklyn Paper]

READ MORE

Photo: Matthew Knott

Williamsburg’s new “swimming pool.” [Brownstoner]

Urban Rustic slinging growlers. [The Great Pumpkin]

READ MORE

Photo: Amy Dreher

Frank Bruni gives Rye 1-star. Ouch. [NY Times]

Aniston and Midler filming 4th of July scene on Manhattan Ave today. [Chris Ruen]

READ MORE

When I stopped into Black Betty last night around 8:30pm, there was an eerie sense of calm and night-like-every-other-nightliness in the air.  The kitchen was smoky, the waitresses conferring about honoring reservations, and the tables populated, but not overly cluttered. It was hard to believe this place that embodied so much of Williamsburg’s spirit would never again open its doors.

Today marks a very special occasion for beer drinkers in New York City. Spuyten Duyvil, in Williamsburg, is hosting a very rare event by Beer Advocate Magazine’s 8th Best Brewery In America (and my personal favorite): Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales. This event will feature four of Jolly Pumpkins ales on tap, and one on cask. Jolly Pumpkin is located in Dexter, Michigan, and the brewery has a strong focus on “old world craftmanship.” They brew “rustic country style beers” that employ the methods of open fermentation, oak barrel aging, and bottle conditioning.

Jolly Pumpkin’s Artisan Ales are not your average beers, but all you have to do is look at these ales in a different light to fully appreciate them. Jolly Pumpkin makes Belgian and French style ales, and you should approach them the same way you would any Belgian Ale or fine wine. The smell of the beer is equally as important as the taste. Before you sip you should inhale deep, get the flavors in your nose before they ever touch your mouth, and only at that point should you take your first sip.

READ MORE