I have been in the beer game long enough to become rather familiar with Brooklyn Brewery. Having a chance to sit down and explore this brewery on a more in depth level with Brooklyn Rep extraordinaire Jill was awesome. This Brewery has been doing this longer than most and has something to offer everyone. Getting reacquainted with these beers has been awesome, and I now look forward to keeping these around more often.
Brooklyn Lager 8.4
IBU: 30
ABV: 5.2
So, I must be honest… I wanted to give this beer a higher score, because this beer and I have history together. It was my first Craft Beer, and I have a fond memories of this beer turning me from an adolescent beer drinker into a real man. The beer is smooth with a crisp finish. It is not the best beer that I drink, but it is a good lager, and I will continue to keep this in my rotation.
Brooklyn Oktoberfest 8.7
IBU: 25
ABV: 5.5
This is a hidden gem in the world of American Oktoberfest beers. A throwback to the old world on this one, they do not add those fall spices we see all too often in fall seasonal brews. They work with farmers in Bavaria who farm an heirloom malt specifically for Brooklyn. If you are in search of a very good, true Marzen, then check this one out.
Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin 8.0
IBU: 24
ABV: 5.0
As we see with some breweries, Brooklyn has two fall seasonal brews, the second of which is the Pumpkin Ale. Brooklyn uses real pumpkin puree in their recipe. There are some notes nutmeg and other fall spices. While their first fall seasonal is an old world throwback, this Pumpkin Ale is more what the mainstream American consumer is asking for each fall. Nice beer, but a little underwhelming.
Brooklyn Pilsner 8.6
IBU: 33
ABV: 5.1
Straw colored with a nice creamy head. This started off like a creamy biscuit, and finished crisp and slightly bitter. Classic Pilsner
Brooklyn East IPA 8.8
IBU: 47
ABV: 6.9
This is an English style IPA. The nose was super clean. A nice malty body with a hint of hops sitting pleasantly on top of the pallet. This beer paired nicely with the hummus plate at Cottonwood. It is a beer that I have not had in a couple years, but I will be revisiting again very soon.
Brooklyn 1/2 Ale 8.6
IBU:
ABV: 3.4
This beer was a little unique. It’s unfiltered and pours with a pretty straw color and rapid bubbles forming a nice head. The finish had this hint of bubble gum and hop mixture that I found very interesting. This beer is a fantastic sessionable beer, great for brunch!
Sorachi Ace 8.9
IBU: 34
ABV: 7.6
Medium Cloudiness, notes of lemon grass. The beer finishes dry and would pair very well with “fatty” foods like a creamy cheese or salmon.
Brooklyn Brown Ale 8.8
IBU: 30
ABV: 5.6
The ruby red color sits nicely in the glass, giving the appearance that one might be sophisticated. The taste does not let this brew down. It has both nutty and chocolate notes.
Local 2 8.8
IBU:
ABV:
This Belgian style strong dark ale mimics an Abbey Dubbel, but with notes of orange peel. Fruit, not sweet, on the front and a dry finish.
Brooklyn Cuvee Noir 9.2
Part of the BQE (Brooklyn Quarterly Experiment) series. This is an Imperial Stout made with a Belgian yeast and put into Bourbon Barrels, then bottle fermented. Bourbon & vanilla on the nose with a dry finish hosted by slight chocolate notes.
Black Chocolate Stout (2012) 9.2
IBU: 51
ABV: 10
Beautiful chocolate aroma on the nose, port like raisin finish. Reminded me of chocolate covered raisins start to finish.
Monster Ale (2012) 9.0
IBU:
ABV: 10.2
This is a beer I had never come across before, and is out of production. It’s a delicious Barleywine that is super smooth and not a big, punch you in the face Alcohol bomb.
Local 1 8.7
IBU: 26
ABV: 9.0
This strong ale is beautifully golden. Nice action from the bottle fermentation. Nice head sits on top of this delicious brew.
