Maybe the best time in the year to enjoy a pint is just when the weather is getting chilly but you have not quite given up on having a social life and, in brewery-rich Brooklyn, you do not need to look far to find a locally brewed refreshment. Here are our picks for a perfect fall pub crawl, with an emphasis on local, seasonal beers, which can be as fleeting as the season itself.
3Beans, Sixpoint Brewery
Pumpkin spice lattes are disgusting, but there is another way to enjoy a season-appropriate twist on coffee. Stumptown coffee and Mast Brothers Chocolate do wonderful things together in this Red-Hook-brewed concoction.
On tap at Downtown Bar and Grill [160 Court St. between Pacific and Dean streets in Cobble Hill, (718) 625-2835, www.downtownbarandgrill.com]
Post Road Pumpkin Ale, Brooklyn Brewery
Pumpkin ale might seem like a relatively new trend, but it is nearly as old as America itself, according to the knowledgeable brewmeisters at Williamsburg’s Brooklyn Brewery. This variety is one of the sweeter, more pumpkin-y varieties out there.
On tap at The Hideout [8411 5th Ave. at 84th Street in Bay Ridge]
Nut Brown Lager, KelSo
This Greenpoint-made beer is available year-round, but it is as nutty as its name and a nice reminder of the roasting chestnuts to come.
On tap at Union Hall [702 Union St. at Fifth Avenue in Park Slope, (718) 638–4400, www.unionhallny.com]
Autumnation Ale, Sixpoint Brewery
The hops used in the Autumnation beer changes every year, based on the votes of this Red Hook brewery’s fans. This year, the wet “Mosaic” hops offers a copper beer with a piney, fruity taste.
On tap at The Crown Inn [724 Franklin Ave. between Sterling and Park places in Crown Heights, (347) 915-1131, thecrowninnbrooklyn.com]
Brooklyn Cuvée La Boîte, Brooklyn Brewery
Another chest-warmer from the Brooklyn Brewery, this limited edition beer is like a hot toddy, but carbonated and cold, infused with honey, lemon, saffron, peppers, and other spices. A beer that straddles the refreshing/spicy divide is a good fit for those in-between September days.
On tap at The Mark Bar [1025 Manhattan Ave. near Green Street in Greenpoint, (718) 349-2340]
Kellerfest, KelSo
A good Oktoberfest should round out the night. Make sure to put on your sweater before you pick up and head for the door. Miss summer yet?
On tap at Mugs Ale House [125 Bedford Ave. between N 11th and N 10th streets in Williamsburg, (718) 486-8232, mugsalehouse.com]
