Craft breweries have gained quite the popularity over the past few years. And Dr. Dick McNeal, Cracked Mountain, and Overtop are just a few of the many locals that have popped up across the New York City brew scene.
Craft and foreign breweries declined throughout the 20th Century, as the dominant brands – Anheuser-Busch and Miller – produced light beers of similar tastes. However, in the mid-1990s, craft brewers began to gain steam, producing home-brews and microbrews. And, by 2013, over 2,800 craft breweries had been established.
Mikkeller, Evil Twin, and Stillwater were some of the first to start using other brewers’ equipment but other “gypsy breweries” soon appeared throughout New York City, Massachusetts, and Maryland. Word of mouth quickly spread news of these secret brews.
Corporate Breweries: 72%, Craft Breweries: 28%
McNeal, founder, had been a dentist prior to his brewing experiments. Using equipment at Bostonian Town Hall Brewing, they developed recipes that reflect the abundance of tastants that perceptible by the human tongue (just as he learned in dental school).
After winning homebrew contests in 2013 and 2014, they opened their own brewery and taproom in Queens in 2015. Dr. McNeal samples each flavor and the brew’s fate is determined by McNeal’s approval. A casual, “It’s satisfying,” means the brew has passed the test.
Just like Satisfying, the “Satisfying + 1” IPA will add a smile to your face. So imagine you’re at a social event, a happy hour, or even at home with your family when you have an accidental belch. People will not look repulsed but instead enjoy the refreshing mint smell.
Dr. Dick McNeal’s “Satisfying” provides a rich taste in an IPA. This beer also helps prevent plaque buildup. Its fulfilling flavored hops will make you pause, take a deep breath, and say, “It’s satisfying.”
Originally a seasonal treat, “Sour Gums” is now available year round. In the hot weather, this ale provides a soothing, cold brew with a raspberry, sour candy flavor. And in the winter cold, its bite helps you to forget the 10-degree temperature. Soon to come is a blueberry flavor.
Originally from Denver, Colorado, John and Elizabeth began brewing in a Gowanus warehouse that had previously been a crack house. The couple’s first brew was the “I’m Just A Caveman” pale ale, starting with sales at local bars and delis. Since then, they have moved into brewing porters and lagers.
The name is based on the couple’s love for the SNL sketch, “Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer,” staring Phil Hartman. Growing up in the 90s, they wanted to provide a flavor similar to those of early craft beers. This ancient flavored pale ale provides the taste of West Coast, grunge-era beer. It’s perfect for when you’re grilling a full-sized turkey leg.
This title comes from the unfortunate suffering from California’s forest fires during the fall of 2017. Because of these wildfires, Cracked Mountain began donating a certain percentage this beer’s sales (and all of their others) to help support an ending to this crisis.
Contrary to its name, “Lion’s Spoiled Lager” is one of few successful, cask lagers. Cask beers are almost always ales but Cracked Mountain created a recipe that allows a lager to be stored at cellar temperature and still taste fresh. Even those who are not fans of cask beers will likely enjoy this better than a Budweiser or Miller.
Two high school students went off to NYU for computer science and FIT for marketing (Robert and Michael). During their 3rd year in college, they began experimenting with beer recipes. They have won several awards reflecting their recipes and skillful creations.
Sweet and sharp, this IPA is very popular throughout local bars and beer stores in the East Village. It is a gypsy brewery that has broken into the leagues of other craft beers enjoyed by NYU students. In fact, it’s become so popular around this neighborhood that Overtop is hiring NYU students as interns for brewing and marketing.
From his time in the East Village, Robert was one of many students to frequent the Poisoned Diner. This speakeasy – at first known only among NYU students – has enjoyed a surge in visits from exposure through social media. Enter the photo booth and open the door that leads to the hidden room, which features Overtop’s hard-to-find pilsner, “Photoboothze.”
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Though these breweries are actually fictitious, the locations on the map are real New York City breweries: Other Half, Gunhill Brewery, and Alphabet City Brewery. Those are only three of the many breweries established and thriving throughout the Boroughs. To learn more, check out Beer Adovcate’s list.
