Studio Square, Astoria.

'Sup HHGs and Mr. McGlass! Stat Guy here, (reporting from the East Coast at the moment.) So after shooting with Jimmy and Mark at Sunswick out here in Astoria, I decided to stop in to Studio Square Beer Garden, around the corner, to finally check it out. I lived in Astoria for four years but this is my first time here! Fortunately at 6 on a Monday I don't have to fear the yuppies as much :)


Anyway, the place is streamlined. Open and modern. The draught line up is spotty, (Blue Point Toasted and Racer 5 aside) but something about beer-gardens always makes me think European, and I needed something light so I went with the Czech Lager, Staropramen. It is best in pitcher-form sharing among friends at a long picnic table in the sun.

 

Lukas the bartender is cool and helpful, but this place is really for quantity, and packing them in over the weekends. And I get that. But it's not a bad place to tip a few back and watch a game during the slow hours. Just steer clear once the Frat boys show up :) hope all's good. Stat Guy Out!

Astoria, NY

Mark, the history guy here. My neighborhood, Astoria, NY, has seen a drastic change in drinking options in recent times. Once the home of a few working class bars (which I love) and the odd Irish or Mexican spot (which I also love), I've seen choices, great choices, pop up on many street corners.

I write this while siting in Hell's Gate Social, an almost unmarked neighborhood spot with a speakeasy feel and a killer bourbon list. And nightly specials, including $3 drafts on Mondays. Yesterday I tried new beers at MexiQ, a Latin fusion restaurant with 48 tap lines of craft beer.

One of my favorites, Vesta Trattoria, features amazing food and local wine on tap. Sunswick, 5 Napkin Burger, The Astor Room, Pachanga Patterson, Club 21, and more have all joined the local lineup and feature craft beverages and culturally specific cuisine.

All this is to say, we live in exciting times. There have never been so many choices and such quality do adventurous drinkers. A a happy Hour Guy it's awfully exciting. Man, we have some work to do! Go explore!

Why oh why oh Weyerbacher?!

Howdy folks! Artsy Guy here, feeling accomplished after a full day at the desk. Reward? Sampling the Weyerbacher tap takeover at Rattle & Hum here in the shadow of the Empire State Building (or the location of said shadow if it were actually sunny in NYC, which it's NOT).

I'm such a fan of these events that happen periodically at Rattle & Hum, Pony Bar, Blind Tiger, etc. It's a great opportunity to taste a few brews from one brewer side by side. Favorites sampled on this day were the Double Simcoe IPA, Insanity (barley wine), Heresy and Tiny (both imperial stouts). Just look at all those "W" tap handles!

So... get thee down to Rattle & Hum toot sweet to experience a brewery that doesn't raise a tap handle often in the Big Apple! That's what's HOPpenin'! (Still not sold on the catchphrase, but - heck - it's almost Easter and it's bunny-related.)