It’s October which in our family means two things: Halloween and beer. While we love Halloween, we moslty leave that to the teens. My husband and I focus on the beer – well, for me it’s really more about the beer cheese! Fall is my favorite season and I use every excuse I can to be outside. One of our go-to weekend activities is exploring a neighborhood by bike which ends at a brewery. There are so many great spots to stop for a freshly made artisanal brew in Brooklyn. Here is a my self- guided Brooklyn brewery tour you need to take this fall.
Brooklyn Brewing: A Brief History
Breweries in Brooklyn have experienced fits and starts. In the early 1900’s Bushwick was known as the beer capital of the northeast with 11 breweries in a 12 block radius. Prohibition in the 1920’s damaged the industry enough to stop growth. While it resurged a bit after, the beer industry disappeared altogether in the 1970’s due to bad crops, high costs and taxes. In the late 80’s Brooklyn Brewery and Sixpoint were basically the only game in town. Until 2014. In 2014, there was a change in the law that allowed breweries to sell on premises… and the artisanal Brooklyn brewery scene was born.
Why a Brooklyn Brewery Tour?
It turns out a law change in 2014 combined with good NYC water, and innovative hipsters doing everything from filmmaking to beer making are a winning combination in Brooklyn. The borough now boasts more than 20 reputable breweries and has emerged as a craft beer haven. What better way to spend an autumn afternoon? Or a cold winter day? Or even a hot summer’s day?
Below I map out two recommended routes for what should be on your short list for a fall weekend activity – a Brooklyn brewery tour. They are all a few blocks from either the Union Street stop on N/R train (in Gowanus) or the Nassau Ave. stop on the G train (in Greenpoint). So pick your neighborhood, grab your Metro Card and get hopping! Don’t forget these tours should be done on foot or on public transportation – no drinking and driving (or biking)!
COVID Situation
During COVID, groups are always limited to fewer than 6 people and masks are, of course, required. All of the taprooms I have listed are open with limited outdoor seating EXCEPT for Other Half Brewing which is closed for seating but open for takeout. Stop in there anyway to pick up some cans to bring home for tomorrow. In addition, all of the breweries offer to-go sales of cans, crowlers and growlers. Finally, most of the breweries allow for walk in EXCEPT for Folksbier Brauerei, which requires advance reservations.
1. Brooklyn Brewery Tour in Gowanus (N/R train)
Just a few stops into Brooklyn on the N/R train gets you to Union St. and 4th Avenue and the heart of Gowanus. The latest haven for NYC’s creative community, Gowanus is brimming with converted warehouses, cool art galleries and trendy eateries. It is also home to the first of my recommended Brooklyn brewery tours. Each of the breweries listed below are walking distance from the Union St stop. In addition, if followed in the order listed, total walking time is only 40 minutes. The last stop of my Gowanus Brooklyn Brewery tour will leave you near the F/G train at Court Street.
Three’s Brewing
Start at the neighborhood darling of Three’s Brewing three blocks from the subway. I love this place for the beer hall feel and the big welcoming backyard. They have a long list of inventive brews with 20 taps that are heavy on the IPA’s. The food, provided by Meat Hook, is as popular as the beer. Wine and liquor are also available for the non beer drinkers – like me. 333 Douglass St.
Strong Rope Brewery
Just a short 4 block walk from Three’s lies the small but quaint brewery of Strong Rope. A NY state farm brewery, Strong Rope uses 100% NY State hops and malts. Customize a tasting flight of the rotating house beer. 574 President St.
Finback Brooklyn
A few doors down from Strong Rope, lies the newly opened Queens brewery Finback Brooklyn. It’s repurposed warehouse has an open area with lounge chairs, a big beer hall space, and a screened-off cocktail lounge. Their tasting room has 12 rotating taps and features can or bottle releases every few weeks. 545 President Street
Other Half Brewing
After three breweries, its time to walk off some of those hops. Follow the map for the 20 minute walk over the Gowanus canal to Other Half Brewing. A cult following for their IPA releases means legendary can releases that enthusiasts rush to have. If you happen to arrive for a release, be prepared to queue. Note that the taproom is closed during COVID but to-go is available. Use this opportunity on your tour to support small business and take a few cans home for a rainy day. 191 Center St.
Folksbier Brauerei
Just a 7 minute walk from Other Half lies the warm but minimalist space of Folksbier Brauerei. Folks love the clean old world European style brews made with modern techniques. I love it for the beer cheese. Note that during COVID they are taking 90 minute table reservations for parties smaller than 6 only. Reserve in advance on the website. 101 Luquer St.
2. Brooklyn Brewery Tour In Greenpoint (G Train)
If you chose to do your Brewery tour along the G train line, you will end up in the magical neighborhood of Greenpoint. My favorite thing about Greenpoint is how transported it feels from the hustle and bustle of the rest of NYC. It’s traditional Polish roots combined with burgeoning creativity makes for a perfect spot for my second Brooklyn brewery tour. Take the G train towards Queens to Nassau Ave. to start this tour. This tour requires a bit more walking than Tour #1 (about 1 hours) and also requires one midpoint train ride. You will begin at Nassau Ave on the G and end at the Graham Ave. stop on the L train.
Keg & Lantern
Stop #1 on the Greenpoint Brooklyn brewery tour is just steps from the Nassau Ave stop on the G line. Local sports bar turned brewery, Keg and Lantern has a cozy backyard with a great pub menu. Fill up on some excellent grub before spending the day drinking! In addition to a cozy bar and great food, they feature over a dozen house brews (heavy on the lagers) and additional guest taps. 97 Nassau Avenue.
Brooklyn Brewery
Walk 10 minutes east towards the water to get to our next stop at Brooklyn Brewery. A powerhouse of American beer production, Brooklyn Brewery ships their brews to more than 30 countries. These founding fathers of New York craft breweries have been in business in this spot since 1988. The cavernous beer hall has the traditional welcoming communal seating as well as a robust merch stand. Both the neighborhood and the brewery tend to be a tourist attraction. 79 N. 11th Street
Greenpoint Beer & Ale
The next stop on the Greenpoint Brewery tour is a worth the trek 25 minute walk down Manhattan Ave. On your way, enjoy the flavor of the old Polish roots of my new favorite neighborhood. Keep an eye out for the beacon of the famous green stained glass water tower newly planted at the point of Greenpoint. What better way to celebrate Oktoberfest than on this roof and underneath that water tower. There you will be treated with a 20 barrel system that makes this one of the largest breweries in BK. The 15 taps are pouring only Greenpoint brews and the giant squishy pretzels are to die for. After this stop, you will walk back up Manhattan Ave 7 blocks to India St. to take the G train to your next stop. 1150 Manhattan Ave.
Grimm Aritsanal Ales
The newest brewery on this Brooklyn brewery tour is technically in East Williamsburg. From Greenpoint Beer and Ale, hop back on the G train at Greenpoint Ave towards Church Ave and take it two stops to Metropolitan Ave. Walk west 10 minutes on Metropolitan to Grimm Artisanal Ales. For a little fun on the way, stop in to see my friend Franklin the pig at Crest Hardware. What started as a nomadic brewery, Grimm finally opened their doors in 2018. Their specialty is concise and elegant ales with a large selection of sour beers. I love it for the bright sun filled taproom. 990 Metropolitan Ave.
Honorable Mention Brooklyn Breweries
Prost to an enjoyable afternoon on one of my Brooklyn brewery tours! There are a few breweries worth mentioning that did not make the Brooklyn brewery tour list. While they are places I like, they are in neighborhoods that are either not close to a subway stop or not walking distance from other great breweries. If you are in the neighborhood, try one of these outstanding Brooklyn breweries.
Circa Brewing Co in downtown Brooklyn – The location is odd but the beer, wood fired pizza, and outdoor front space with heat lamps are a family favorite. 141 Lawrence St.
Transmitter Brewing in Brooklyn Navy Yard – I love any excuse to get to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. This brewery focuses on traditional and farmhouse ales and serves them up in the outdoor beer garden in the heart of one of Brooklyn’s most creative spots. 141 Flushing Ave. Building 77
Randolph Beer in Dumbo – The rooftop of a building in DUMBO is exactly where I want to be on a sunny afternoon. Add to that, the do it yourself taps of Randolph beer and it’s a winning combination. 82 Prospect St.
Coney Island Brewery in Coney Island – You can’t have a conversation about breweries without including Coney Island Brewery. Originally part of Coney Islands Freakatorium, this brewery is a good fit in a neighborhood built on amusement. 1904 Surf Ave.
For a complete roundup of Brooklyn’s coolest neighborhoods, download my FREE E-Book here.
Pingback: The Point of Greenpoint | Torly Travels
Love this! Really great write up!
Comments are closed.