Your Guide to A Brooklyn Beer-Filled Day

Craft beer has taken the industry by storm, and Brooklyn has become the brewery beacon it once was back in the late 1800’s. Before the L train goes down forever, round up your best beer snob crew and head out for a day of boozing in North BK.

Brooklyn Brewery

First stop: hit up Brooklyn Brewery right at noon before the line stretches down the block. Even if you’ve been here before, they are always changing their line-up with seasonal and speciality brews, and who doesn’t love those wooden tokens?

Grab a picnic table, grab a few samples to share, and get your buzz on. They do tours every half hour on weekends, and the guides get pretty entertaining. When you have to start elbowing your way to the tap, peace out to Spritzenhaus in Greenpoint.

Spritzenhaus

This cross between a trendy warehouse and a beer hall is a quick five minute jaunt — just cut across McCarren Park for a scenic route. If you want to make a pit stop for brunch, you can’t go wrong with Five Leaves, but be prepared to wait. For some rooftop sun, Berry Park is right on the way and has a solid Bloody Mary. Or you can hold out for the sausages and Belgian fries atSpritzenhaus. Go for the duck with bacon, and of course enough fries to go around. Don’t forget to load up on the dipping sauces — -you have eightchoices (the mustard jalapeno aioli is a must). The beer list is a great mix of German and local, tap into a summer with the Fire Island Sea Salt ale.

Make sure you get a Jenga set to settle in for what will be an afternoon of falling blocks and pure drunken terror. The majority of the blocks have charming phrases such as “Your Facebook updates suck” scrawled on them, making it all the more the merrier.

When you’ve had your fill and your nerves are shot, chug a pint of agua and prepare to get classy at Tørst.

Tørst

If your crew is starting to fade, assure them that it’s just up the block. Because it is. And, in drunk time, it’s pretty much under a minute.

With a stone cold marble bar that stretches the length of the place, and a myriad of choices, you’ll feel like you’ve arrived. Beers are served in wine glasses, with options for tastes or full pours. So sip slowly and don’t miss trying an Evil Twin brew. Luksus is the hidden gem of Tørst, a Scandinavian restaurant tucked in the waay back through a hidden door (ok, you can see the door). If you want to end the day on a seriously high note, go for the tasting menu with beer pairings.

Photo Credits: Brooklyn Brewery Facebook, Spritzenhaus, Tørst Facebook

Suggestions

Brooklyn Brewery $
79 N 11th St
b/t Berry St & Wythe Ave
Williamsburg — North Side

Spritzenhaus $$
33 Nassau Ave
b/t Banker St & Berry St
Greenpoint

Tørst $$
615 Manhattan Ave
b/t Nassau Ave & Driggs Ave
Greenpoint

Erin also suggests these not-just-in-brooklyn places to grab a beer.