You ever introduce someone to craft beer for the first time?  Not someone that you drag to it kicking and screaming, but a willing open-minded participant?  Remember the look on their face?  Yeah, that look.  My second time out in NYC, I had a partner in crime.  My co-worker had arrived on Friday to assist me with the project I was working on, so he automatically had to come out with me that night.  He’s 22 and had never been out in the Big Apple.  Ripe for experience, wouldn’t you say?  So we get on the train around 9:00 and end up in Manhattan 20 minutes later.  We get off a few blocks from Times Square, and I ask him “Hey man, you ever been?” and he says “No”.   I don’t care how touristy and cliché that area is, it’s still impressive.  Especially on a Friday night.  There’s so many people, so much energy, it really makes you feel like you’re in the center of it all.  My friend was amazed…  This was going to be a good night.

So my second recommendation from Stevie was a place called Blind Tiger, located at 281 Bleeker St.,  right around the corner from NYU.  We get out of the cab and notice that it’s packed.  Not a big surprise considering that it’s 10 o’clock on a Friday night.  We make our way inside and I ask my compatriot what he’d like.  He says ‘Surprise me’.  Music to my ears.  I order us two Lagunitas Pils, just because.  Notice a trend here?  I swear, if I find that beer on draft anywhere, it’s my first beer.  It’s such a rad Pilsner.  Watching him take that first sip was priceless.  It was like a teenager who just saw his first set of boobies.  His whole face lit up, and he looked at me like I just gave him a glass of unicorn tears.  ‘This is…awesome!’ ‘I know dude, welcome to the wonderful world of craft beer’.  It’s such a great feeling to open doors like that for someone.  Back in my early bartending days, I used to relish that sensation.  After a while though (4 years or so) you become a bit jaded and it’s harder and harder to duplicate.  The job becomes just that, a job.  It had been a hot minute since I popped someone’s craft beer cherry.

Blind Tiger is a medium sized place with an excellent selection and (again!) friendly, patient bartenders.  Like I said, the joint was packed, but thankfully not bumper to bumper packed.  More like standing room only packed.  Unlike Rattle N Hum, I noticed more of a ‘Young Professional’ patronage, a little more wound-up.  Oh and it was LOUD.  For our second round of beers, I wanted to switch gears a bit.  I ordered the newbie a Stone Levitation and I opted for a cask Chelsea Brewing ‘Hop Angel’.  The Levitation was for two reasons:  One was that it’s lower in alcohol (didn’t want him falling over) and two, because it’s freaking delicious.  I reviewed the shit out of it here.

Walking back, I noticed that some people had gotten up.  Bonus, we now have seats!  Newbie talking about the Levitation:  “My brother would love this beer!”  Heh, spread the gospel, sir.  The Chelsea Hop Angel was great as well, really hop forward and dry.  There was a small aftertaste, but nothing that took away from the overall flavor.  It was slightly boozy too, which I didn’t expect.  I really want to try more of their stuff.  ‘Is that warm beer!?’  Why yes it is, young padawan.  Soon you will learn the ways of the dark side, but for now enjoy your Stone.   By now, food was becoming an issue too, as neither of us had eaten yet.  Things would turn ugly soon with no food in our stomachs… The problem was, nothing on the menu seemed appetizing.  We were looking for some good pub/bar food, but their fare was a little more unique.  Also, there wasn’t a very large selection.   Alas dear reader, unfortunately I can’t comment on the victuals at this time.  My apologies.

I say to the PIC ‘Let’s have one more and then split for some food’.  He agrees, so I venture back to the bar for some more beers.  This time around I get a Brooklyn Concoction for me and a-I totally forget- for him.  Yeah, I forgot.  Whoops.  Anyway, back to the beer that I was drinking.  The Concoction is amazing!  Spicy, dry, peppery as all get-out, a little smoky, just a complete and utter flavor blast.  Unable to categorize.  According to Brooklyn’s website it’s got ‘peat-smoked malt, minced-ginger, lemon juice and wild honey’ in it.  Yes.  One-thousand times yes.  So frigging complex, I need another shot at it to fully realize the flavors.

A terrible pic of the Concoction

As my acolyte is now decidedly glassy-eyed, I make the decision to ask the gentlemen next to us where we can get some more good beer and a bite to eat.  Stay tuned for the conclusion to the evening…

Like Rattle N Hum, Blind Tiger is another solid NYC beer bar.  Really though, I need to go there on a night less crowded to really appreciate all it has to offer.  The space is great and it’s a little more pub’ish than RNH.  You feel instantly comfortable upon walking in, I’m sure it’s a great place to take a date.  Hopefully I can get back there sometime soon.

Check them out here:   http://www.blindtigeralehouse.com/