Peace and Happy: Rounding up the Year that was

While there are quite a few people who won’t be sorry to see 2016 come to a long, tortuous end, we prefer to look back on the year that was and remember the highlights. We’ve shared many a pint with our Beer Family, and we’ve also been social outside what some consider one of the best beer bars in NYC.

As we recap 2016, we wish you and yours a very happy holiday. If you don’t already have plans, be sure to drop by on Sunday, December 25th, for our annual Xpats Xmas lunch (we’ll have pork roast, ribs, roasted Brussels sprouts and root vegetables, mashed potatoes and more – get your ticket here). Otherwise, please enjoy the year that was!

1. Our Backroom was transformed into a 1930s Jazz Club in Woody Allen’s latest film, Café Society.
Our Backroom is one of the best kept secrets in NYC, with private party rentals and performance space available to local arts groups, but we were very excited to welcome auteur Woody Allen selected our bar to be the setting for several locations in the movie. It was our “starring” moment on the big screen!
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2. Brewed Food collaboration
Back in June, we welcomed Jensen Cummings and guest chef Andrew Gerson of Brooklyn Brewery to serve up a unique beer and food pairing dinner that featured custom dishes incorporating craft beer brewing processes.  We ended up with some very funky pairings, like Brooklyn Sorachi Ace with Santa Barbara Uni / bonji and dry-hopped yogurt! It was a great night, and we hope Jensen’s tour in 2017 brings him back our way.
3. Hops salon
We held another of our Salon series as we welcomed hops farmers from around the region, including John Condzella from Condzella Farms on Long Island and John Segal from Segal Ranch, a 3rd generation farm that originated in NY State before moving to Washington State. The event was informative and aroma-filled!
4. Best Burger added to menu
We’ve always loved grass-fed ground beef, but our burger went to a whole new level this year as we arranged for a custom grind from Fleishers Craft Butchery in Brooklyn. Now our Best Burger is getting raves around NYC and is one of our favorite dishes to pair with red wine! Perfect year-round.
5. Outdoor events at Solar One
Summer in the city is the time to get outdoors, and we grilled at Solar One at key events throughout the warmer months, including collaborating with the Executive Chef of Georgia Grown to bring a half-dozen of the south’s best chefs to the waterfront for “A Taste of Georgia,” which also allowed a perfect view of the spectacular July 4th fireworks!
6. Opening of next level of NYC-area breweries
Offering up small batch and handcrafted beers, Industrial Arts quickly became a hoppy favorite this fall. Plus we witnessed the launch of two new Brooklyn-based breweries, Interboro in East Williamsburg and KCBC in Bushwick. We’re loving all this great beer that is coming out from local brewers!
We wish you the best holiday and Happy New Year, and we’ll hope for even better happenings in 2017.