No matter what your preference in intoxicating libations, I am sure you will agree that microbrews and their dispensaries have taken off in the last 5-10 years. Why is that? Well, with more adventurous customers becoming bored with mass-produced beers (Bud, Coors, etc.), microbrews have stepped in to fill the boredom gap. Many of today’s well-informed beer drinkers are lapping up microbrews with style and taste, and looking and feeling their best.

Now, in many parts of the US, microbrews are not yet a hit. However, in New York City, microbrews seem not to be just a fad, but are in fact the norm.

You should know up front what a microbrew is, so we can get on the same page. It’s really all about the size of the brewery and shouldn’t be confused with other terms, like “craft beer,” which is really just fancy beer talk for swanky beer. Microbreweries are defined by their production capacity, and they produce “less than 15,000 barrels (17,600 hectoliters) of beer per year with 75% or more of (their) beer sold off site”

Astonishingly, in 2008 there were 447 microbreweries operating in the U.S., while by the middle of 2010 that number grew to 534! The growing demand for microbrews and the available places to get them is a truly a wonderful sight and makes microbrew-hunting an engaging sport.

This past week I visited two noteworthy spots for microbrews: Chelsea Brewing Company and Heartland Brewing Company- two excellent choices for sitting down for a session. Any time you go to a brewpub, my suggestion is to get the sampler and enjoy them from your favorite beer style to least favorite style (I find this makes the less flattering beers taste better).

Chelsea Brewing Company is on Manhattan’s West Side, near High Line Elevated Park and overlooking the Hudson River. It adjoins to a large warehouse-like driving range facility, making it fun for the sportsperson and beer enthusiast alike. The wood floors at the entrance and the tall windows facing the Hudson River made for an attractive entrance to the pub and restaurant, and the furnishings are straight down to business (not too nice really). To be honest, the place felt a little uncreative and dull. I got the cheeseburger and fries, which were very hearty but not very exciting. However, we came for the beer- so we ordered a six-beer sampler. Of the six beers that we tried, two or three of them were hot from the sunlight beaming through the harbor windows by the time we got to them. The wheat beers were watered down and the pale ale was scarcely strong in the hop and alcohol department for the style. Out of the six styles, ranging from a light pilsner style to a dark stout, I have to go with the stout, which had flavors of coffee, chicory, and a bit of chocolate. It was one of the few beers here that were true to style with plenty of alcohol by volume (ABV). All in all the beers here were okay and it was an inexpensive and relaxing place with a good view to soak up a few beers and a few rays on a sunny day. For perspective, we moved on to Heartland Brewing Company for a second tasting.

 The view from Chelsea Brewing Company

Heartland Brewery’s establishment at the Empire State Building was a more luxurious brewpub, but you have to go downstairs to really feel like you are in a cool joint. This isn’t Heartland’s only location but it is probably their most well-known. For those of you who don’t like the more prominent (or commercially successful) breweries, because you think they are producing dull, mass appeal style beers, think again. Not only do they have fantastic beer, but also the style and comfort at Heartland Brewery was amazing. This is a pub paradise complete with four flat screens over the bar for sports fans, dim oak lined bar rooms and tables with privacy. We tried the sampler at Heartland and every beer amazed us! Out of the eleven (ELEVEN!) available microbrews on tap that day, the Monk’s Delight Belgian Dubbel served in a chalice style glass trumped all. This complex concoction packed 8% ABV. The plum, raisin, clove, and nutty flavors were rich, smooth, and memorable- so memorable in fact that even when I switched to the outstanding Octoberfest Dunkel my palate continued to crave the Belgian Dubbel’s bold intricacy and strength. As good as any fine wine!

The mainstay beers were fantastic. They included Indian River Light, Cornhusk Lager, Harvest Wheat, Indiana Pale Ale, Red Rooster Ale, and Farmer John’s Stout. The Indiana Pale Ale was a perfect blend of hoppiness and clean finish, while the Red Rooster Ale was malted to perfection, reminiscent of an Anchor Steam with more caramel undertones. The “seasonal beers” are daring (though I didn’t get to taste them all): Octoberfest Dunkel, Smiling Pumpkin Ale, Summertime Apricot Ale, Empire Premium Beer, French Toast Ale, and Monk’s Delight Belgian Dunkel. At Heartland Brewery, finish off your meal or beer session with the Monk’s Delight Belgian Dubbel and you won’t be disappointed.

The dim lights and the oak tables at Heartland Brewery made us feel like we were in a classy 1920s club instead of the typical cold, sterile, and uncreative brewpub that has become mainstay at so many places. This is by far one of the best places to go for a microbrew in New York City, especially if you want to enjoy a Buffalo Burger, Chili Cheese Fries, and lots of freshly brewed lagers and ales. Heartland is a perfect fit for a brewery that sits in the Empire State Building.

Because I can’t drink all the beer myself I would like to provide a list of breweries, brewpubs, and beer stores in the area. I will be mining the rest of the microbrew gems this city has to offer in the near future! Here are some mind-enhancing links:

http://www.americanbeerbuzz.com/services.nxg

http://www.bierkraft.com/

http://www.nycbeer.org/bars

http://www.asylum.com/2010/02/23/nyc-beer-stores-whole-foods-new-beer-distributors-bier-kraft/

http://www.murphguide.com/beerbars.htm

http://www.kelsoofbrooklyn.com/

http://sixpoint.com/

www.brooklynbrewery.com