I travel around the upper east coast quite a bit for work, and I try to hit up the local beer bars in each city as much as possible. This past week I spent 3 days in NYC. This is part one of two (maybe three). I solicited two bar recommendations from former New Yorker Stevie Caldarola, Ladiesofcraftbeer CEO and recent Colorado transplant, plus one totally new discovery. Unfortunately I didn’t get to venture out of Manhattan due to time constraints, as I’d love to get over to haunt Brooklyn for a few days.
So I roll into town Wednesday afternoon, settle into my hotel and then jump the train to Rattle N Hum on East 33rd St. In Manhattan. As I approach, there’s a couple sitting in the window just enjoying the hell out of each other, which totally set the tone for my visit. I love seeing happy couples having fun, it’s the hopeless romantic in me.
The place is full but not packed. I get a seat right at the corner of the bar, which we all know is the best. I’ve also got a TV right in front of me with the Yankees game on. Perfect. Get this: The bartender comes over right away, and she’s friendly! Way to go against type, NY. So I order a Lagunitas Pils to start things off and take a look around a little bit. The layout is pretty decent, the din of chatter was minimal and the lighting was just right. The clientele was a mix of everyday Joe, including some older gentlemen, with a healthy dose of young and hip. Typical for the area, I think. The Talking Heads were on the house speakers as I walked in the door too, always a good sign. Matter of fact, the playlist we were listening to was fantastic. I heard good tunes the whole time I was there.
So I finish my Lagunitas-which was in great shape, by the way- and order some food. I opted for the ‘Rattle N Hum’ burger, because…..well, if there is a burger named after the place, you automatically have to get it, right? Finishing my Lagunitas, I wanted something I’d never had before, so I order a Cigar City Jai Alai IPA. I was pretty psyched to try a new IPA, and apparently had good reason. This is a great example of the style, straightforward and well-balanced. Citrusy, slightly resiny, clean finish, all the good stuff you expect out of a quality IPA. Wait, they’re from Tampa!? Florida!? Wow, at least there’s one good thing coming out of that city. No seriously, check em’ out.
Unexpected treat
Food comes. It’s a juicy, fresh ground, hand-formed burger and hand-cut fries. Not much else to say, except that it was excellent. As I’m chowing down and tweeting away, I notice this guy sit a few seats down from me. He proceeds to open a jug with a swing-top on it (yep, a swing top), so naturally I ask him what it is. Turns out his name is Patrick, and he’s the owner of the place. The brew in question is Hill Farmstead’s Simcoe IPA (not sure if that is the actual name), a beer that he just returned from VT with. Being from New England, I’m a little embarrassed to not have heard of this brewery. He asks me if I’d like a glass, and I answer in the affirmative. It’s a light hazy yellow and absolutely amazing. So different from any IPA I’ve had. The simcoe is mild and refreshing, totally not the hop monster that I thought it was going to be. A little thin, but overall a welcome departure. Very ‘against the grain’, which is awesome. A nice treat. Patrick was a gracious host, but he was deep into the new BeerAdvocate issue, so I didn’t pepper him with too many questions.
Bocker Cuvee Des Jacobins Rouge- Good beer, long-ass name.
I was in the mood for something different as an aperitif, and I noticed that there were sours on the menu. Sticking with the ‘beers I haven’t had yet’ theme, I opted for the Bockor Cuvee Des Jacobins Rouge, a low alcohol Flanders Red. Holy flavor profile, Batman! Just puckery enough to get the point across, and then settles into a nice dark fruit flavor on the back end, with some cherry notes in there as well. Color me impressed. A fitting finish to the visit.
I wasnt there very long-had to bring my A game in the morning-but I really dug my first real NYC beer bar. Great selection, attentive staff, good food and a nice cross-section of folks. What else could you ask for? If I lived in the area, I’d definitely frequent the joint. Oh, and the front windows completely open to the street. Every bar should do that.
Info: rattlenhumbarnyc.com
