Great South Bay (Guest Post - Camera Man)

In the back streets of North Bay Shore lies a hidden gem: Great South Bay Brewery. As a former resident of this neighborhood, let me just say, this is a surprise. The brewery is located in an area where the community has undergone constant change and been home to a number of different commercial industries. So how did the Curly Brewski team come across it? Earlier last summer we attended the release of their Field 5 IPA after seeing the news of it on Instagram. Since the discovery, it's been fun telling people about it and seeing their reaction: "A brewery? In this neighborhood?" Yes. Yes there is. 


The tasting room is a welcoming location with ample seating and standing space (big enough for private events), as well as some entertainment (live music, projected NFL games, cornhole and foosball). The brewing systems are visible and it's likely you'll see the brewmasters skating around. Thursdays provide an opportunity to enjoy a flight, learn the different beers and possibly develop a new appreciation. 


I'm a Marauder Bourbon Barrel Aged Scotch Ale fan. The aging process adds an interesting and flavorful complexity. I've also enjoyed the Basil in the Rye IPA which delivers intense notes of citrus and spices. The basil is definitely noticeable in both smell and taste. Their 4 year anniversary brought the release of a particulary special brew. Using the Dirty Deeds Russian Imperial Stout recipe and aging it for 8 months in Apple-Brandy barrels, a sipping beer was born. At 10% ABV you can enjoy a beer that could very well be confused for a carbonated fine brandy. I made sure to purchase 2 bombers/ 22 oz. bottles to enjoy at a later date. Cheers to many more years and great, innovative beers.


With signatures like Blood Orange Pale Ale, Massive IPA and Robert Moses Pale Ale, GSB has established a reputation of consistency and quality. With the cold weather here, I am looking forward to trying Sleigh Ryed Winter Ale and Snaggletooth Stout. Be sure to check them out on March 7th, 2015 for the Hog Cabin Beer, Bacon & Cornhole Extravaganza for bacon (!!!) and the release of their Hog Cabin Maple Bacon Porter. Craft beer and bacon? Yes, please!

Gun Hill Brewing - 6 Month Anniversary

As a [South] Bronx native, I'm both excited about and overly critical of anything that associates itself with the Bronx. As such I was naturally curious about Gun Hill Brewing and set on paying them a visit after I got a taste of their Void of Light Stout at the Bacon and Beer Classic. Void of Light, by the way, was voted Best Beer at the Bacon and Beer Classic and it's no surprise as to why.

The day I went to visit was their six month anniversary event. I was sold on the look and feel of the brewery immediately. Formerly a warehouse or garage, they perfected the industrial with the Yeah, I need to hang out here. With actual tables for seating when you first walk in, hanging out there is not hard to do. 

I'm not sure how large the crowd gets on a normal day, but they certainly had a full house for their anniversary. This was cause for concern. Aside from being a sucker for great ambience, I'm an even bigger sucker for good service and a lot of people often times equates to a long wait for beer -- no one likes that. The staff at the brewery handled the crowd like pros, however. We were greeted as soon as we walked up to the bar. I asked for a flight but they weren't serving flights that particular day due to the amount of people. No worries though -- they offered me the option of purchasing half pints instead so that I could taste more beers for the same price. Well done, friends. They didn't neglect to tell me about each beer as they served it either. Well done, again. 

As for the beer itself, there was a lot to try (they were serving some old favorites for the special occasion). This post would be way too long if I tried to describe everything. My experience with the Pomegranate Wheat sums it all up though. Now, rare is the day I ask for a fruity or sweet flavored beer. It's just not my thing. I prefer beer to taste like beer and not juice. I guess everyone else is doing it wrong because when I tried the Pomegranate Wheat I could (surprisingly) picture myself reaching for one at a BBQ or on any ol' hot day. I could definitely taste the pomegranate but it wasn't overpowering or unbearably sweet. It was refreshing and a great balance of fruit and wheat beer. I knew I'd like everything else if they mastered this one. And I did -- their IPA, Void of Light Stout (again), Schulyler's American Wheat, and the Kraftwerk Alt. 

Gun Hill Brewery knows how to make a good beer. It was evident not only by the Pomegranate convert they made out of me, but by the enthusiastic regulars present in the diverse crowd. We drank well, felt good, and appreciated the awesome service. I didn't get to take advantage of the taco trunk they had parked outside (man did that smell good!) but I follow them on social media and so I know I can always come back for that or any other awesome pairing of coolness they provide - beer school (starting September 9th), Yoga (11am on September 6th), and who knows what else?!