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Outside of the New York area, it surprises many to learn that King’s County (aka Brooklyn) has a rich and proud brewing history. In fact, Brooklyn had no less than 48 working breweries in 1898 – with Germans arriving on American shores with luggage, taste of good beer, strict brewing standards, and some of the most influential brewers of their time in tow.

Eventually, the party came to a grinding halt with the 21st Amendment, causing a drought amongst fermenters and, in turn, barren beer mugs and destitute drinkers. As recently as 1962, Brooklyn supplied 10% of the beer brewed in this country. The tide quickly turned though with large Midwest brewers gaining traction and soon Brooklyn brewers found themselves no longer in business.

From the ashes of its rich brewing past, Brooklyn Brewery was born in 1987.

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Brooklyn Brewery has worked diligently to bring brewing back to New York. It may have taken years of diligent expansion and word of mouth to gain local market share but Brooklyn Brewery has arguably won the hearts and palates of casual drinkers to the beer connoisseurs throughout Empire city.

Visiting Brooklyn Brewery is an experience in and of itself. More so than just a “brewery tour,” Friday afternoons and evenings attract boisterous, beer-loving crowds. Round up some friends, grab a picnic table, and prepare for a six-brew tasting – and by tasting we mean six 16 oz cups. No sample sizes here, friends. The “happy hour” showcases Brooklyn Brewery’s perennial beers as well as seasonal offerings. Here are my favorite four, some even available in 750 ml formats.

Brooklyn Buzz Bomb Ale (8% ABV)

At a whopping 8%, this is not your typical session beer. Straw in color, light on the palate with flavors of clove and citrus, this is a delicious wheat beer. Makes for smooth drinking and enjoyable for the summer heat.

Brooklyn Lager (5.2% ABV)

This is the flagship beer that everyone has grown to love. The aroma is bready and mildly hopped. This beer was designed to be imbibed back to back with every intention of being a session beer.

Brooklyn EIPA (6.9% ABV)

This is the Brooklyn East India Pale Ale. IPA’s are by nature hoppier then the average beer. For the uninitiated, hoppier is an herbaceous and bitter flavor. This is hoppy without the heavy bitter flavoring indicative of most IPAs.

Brooklyn Local 1 (9% ABV)

This is Brooklyns edition of the Belgian Strong Ale. Pours into the glass with a nice effervescence, the color is golden and hazy and has a thick and foamy head that releases much aroma. Fruit and spice dominate the aroma. By ABV and the monikor this sounds like a heavy difficult to drink beer, but this is one of the smooth and most delicious beers that Brooklyn offers.

At Brooklyn Brewery the people are friendly and the beers floweth, a surefire combination for good times. While you’re at it, bring home a few of the 750ml bottle fermented beers – one of their most profound offerings. Otherwise, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: support your local brewers and remember: indulge in beverages you may not be familiar with, you never know which one may change your (drinking) life.

Brooklyn Happy Hours are every Friday from 6 PM – 11 PM. Saturday and Sunday brewery tours are available. Learn more at Brooklyn Brewery.

By aspiring brewer Jason Chow