Get your German beer on

By Meredith Deliso

This is one deal we can raise a glass to.

During a beer crawl through Williamsburg and Greenpoint, you can sample 12 different brews — a $72 value for only $30.

The website BeerMenus.com put together the tour in a nod to Brooklyn’s brewery-packed past, and a celebration of its beer-rich present.

“With the recent influx of beer gardens in Brooklyn, we decided to celebrate outdoor drinking and Brooklyn’s rich history of German beer,” said Will Stephens, the website’s co-founder. “Williamsburg and Greenpoint has a modern-day Brewer’s Row, if you will.”

Here’s how it works: This Saturday and Sunday, pick up your pub crawl pass, map and tasting notes at Mug’s Ale House. Grab a pint of Radeberger Pils, then head to 11 more bars within a 12-block radius, picked for their German selection and outdoor seating. Participants include Berry Park and its picturesque rooftop, the Bushwick Country Club, Loreley Williamsburg and tdb, all of which you can visit at your leisure until the last drop is drunk.

No matter how enthusiastic you are about beer, 12 brews is a lot for one sitting, so it might be best to make this a two-day tour, and one you’ll remember.

Beer crawl starting at Mug’s Ale House [125 Bedford Ave. at N. 10th Street in Williamsburg, (718) 486-8232], June 25 and 26 from 11:30 am-6 pm. Tickets $30. For info, visit www.beermenus.com.

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An outfit for your Sixpoint nanokeg

The only thing this holster needs is a nice cold beer to keep cool.

After releasing nano-kegs of its popular brews, Sixpoint is now offering koozies to keep them properly chill.

Each one is made form 100 percent genuine leather, and are hand-stitched at the seams and lined with neoprene, whatever that is, to insulate your can. And of course, the Sixpoint logo is front and center.

You can get your hands on one during tastings this summer, next up on June 18 at Brooklyn Larder in Prospect Heights, at 2 pm. May we channel Veruca Salt and say, "But I want it NOW!"

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For the beasts

By Meredith Deliso

If you like Sweet Action and puppies, you’ll find yourself in good company at the Bell House this month.

That’s because on March 26, the Gowanus hosts “Beer for Beasts,” a day of good food, beer and tunes that benefits the Humane Society.

Better still is that Sixpoint Brewery will present at least 16 new brews created specifically for the fundraiser.

“We’re excited to be working with our friends at Sixpoint to celebrate our passion for good beer, food, people, and our love for animals,” said Todd Alström, founder of BeerAdvocate, an online network of beer enthusiasts.

Beyond the beer and beasts, JerseyFresh Burlesque will provide some live entertainment, and Calexico, Mile End, Pizza Moto and Prime Meats will provide some food pairings to match the Red Hook-made brews. Because after all that beer, it’ll be wise to have some food in your stomach.

“Beer for Beasts” at the Bell House [149 Seventh St. between Second and Third avenues in Gowanus, (718) 643-6510], March 26 from 1-5 pm and 6-10 pm. Tickets $60. For info, visit beerforbeasts.com.

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Go for the green!

St. Patrick's Day is almost upon us. Don't have plans? Don't fret? Just follow our guide to getting the most out of the big day - from where to eat some free corned beef and what bars have the best music to where to show up looking like this guy.

It's all available for you here.

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A few of our favorite things

This week, we list some of the best Brooklyn has to offer. With Lent underway, we wanted to highlight tjhe foods and drinks we will never want to give up - ever. Like the classic poutine at Mile End, modeled here by Maggie Yolen. And you shouldn't, either.

Now it's your turn. What Brooklyn dishes and drinks can you never live without?

Photo by Tom Callan

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Just call it Booze Aid!

By Aaron Short

Spirits are rising — to save the City Reliquary!

Brooklyn’s most revered mixologists will show off the borough’s smoothest spirits in a tasty taste test on Friday at The Brooklyn Kitchen.

The booze-and-schmoose fundraiser will benefit the City Reliquary, Williamsburg’s most beloved micro-museum and curator of do-it-yourself craft culture.

The Reliquary’s Matt Levy says it’s the perfect time to try all those Brooklyn-made cocktails you’ve been reading about, such as Kings County Distilling’s whiskey and Breuckelen Distilling’s gin — which Levy likes straight up.

“Brooklyn Distilling makes a mighty fine gin and I like all the cocktails being served — I’m an equal opportunity drinker,” said Levy, adding that there will be “no baptisms” allowed.

Thirsty guests can sample mixed drinks at five cocktail tables, including a wine station with Red Hook Wines and a beer station with — what else? — Brooklyn Brewery showing off its top shelf stuff.

Make sure you try Sother Teague’s “Jack Rose,” an applejack sidecar she developed at Rye, and a dark rum daquiri that Joel Lee Kulp developed at The Richardson.

And to ensure that people don’t pass out on the floor, there will be salty, alcohol-absorbing treats from The Meat Hook, Saltie, The Commodore, Roebling Tea Room, Momofuku Baker, and coffee from Oslo.

So get into the spirit! — just make sure to call a cab home first.

Booze and Schmooze with the City Reliquary at The Brooklyn Kitchen [100 Frost St. at Meeker Avenue in Williamsburg, (718) 389-2982], Feb. 25. 7-11 pm. $75-$100. For tickets, http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/155768.

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Is Sixpoint New York's best beer?

That's what Good says.

In a new map of the the US by breweries, the Red Hook-based Sixpoint was considered by the magazine's readers to have "the most awesome, best-tasting, sustainably brewed, independently owned, community-oriented craft beer" in the state.

That leaves out others like Brooklyn Brewery and Kelso of Brooklyn.

It's a nice shot-out for the company. Readers, do you agree with the recognition? [via Gothamist]

Photo: Shane Welch, found of Sixpoint Craft Ales. 

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Get your drink on at Red Star's Beer Festival

By Joe Anuta

The more you enjoy this annual Greenpoint festival, the less you’ll remember it.

The Beer Festival at Red Star Bar and Grill is back, with 33 varieties of microbrews just waiting to be consumed.

It’s not a deal by any means — $20 gets you a sample of six brews — but the excitement comes from trying some beers that no man has downed before.

We’re talking about Black Xantus, an imperial stout California-based Nectar Ales, or Back in Black, a potent IPA made by 21st Amendment in San Francisco.

And the most sought-after brew of the night will be Brooklyn Brewery’s newest creation, Cuvee Noire. It’s a strong, Belgian-style ale that packs an alcoholic punch at 9 percent.

It’s debauchery with an important purpose (and we’re the official media sponsor, just so you know!).

“You’ll be trying diverse beers that we don’t regularly have on the line,” said Eric Hall, general manager of the bar.

And the Cuvee?

“It just came out — and it’s delicious,” Hall said.

And what’s better with local beers than local bands? Hall is also bringing in several, including The John LaDeau Trio, which was a hit at the previous festival. Then again, everyone was drunk, so sometimes it’s hard to tell.

You can start your engines at 2 pm — and not power down until long after midnight.

“I won’t be kicking anybody out,” Hall said.

Beer Festival at Red Star Bar and Grill [37 Greenpoint Ave. near West Street in Greenpoint, (718) 349-0149]. Nov. 6 from 2 pm-midnight. Six beers for $20. For info, visit www.redstarny.com.

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Ich Bin Ein Bay Ridger - Oktoberfest begins and ends near the Narrows

Christina Quinlan (left) and Melissa Hernandez
have got the goods - Spaten Oktoberfest beer and
a Bratwursteller - at Schnitzel Haus.
Photo by Stefano Giovannini

By  Michelle Minetti

Get out your best dirndl and iron your lederhosen — it’s Oktoberfest! 

Fall festivities tied around good food and drink (think meat and beer) in honor of the September German tradition are going on all month long in Bay Ridge, whose bars and restaurants are specially offering some of the most wunderbar German cuisine and beer that will have any mann or frau saying danke shÖn. But don’t delay — Oktoberfest doesn’t extend into November.

The Schnitzel Haus

Bay Ridge’s sole German restaurant is reveling in this time of month, breaking out its authentic German cuisine, along with some delicious new options tied around Oktoberfest. 

Fill up on more traditional Oktoberfest dishes such as Wiesn-style Bierbraten — beef roast in beer gravy — or Spaten-beer marinated pork roast. Both plates are $18. 

To help you wash down all that meat, Spaten, Paulaner and Hofbrau are on draft for $5. Also try your hand at Das Boot, a three-liter boot-shaped mug filled with Germany’s most popular beverage.

The food and drink alone won’t make you feel like you’re in a little Deutschland.

“It’s a cozy and comfortable place, especially with all the German signs and décor,” said bartender Todd Brzozowski.

The Schnitzel Haus [7319 Fifth Ave. at 74th Street in Bay Ridge, (718) 836-5600]. For info, visit www.schnitzelhausny.com.

Hunter’s Steak House

Sauerbraten, schnitzel and wurst — oh my! 

In addition to its steakhouse cuisine, Hunter’s Steak House is offering a price-fixed Oktoberfest menu this month.

“Originally, we were Lorelei’s, a German establishment, so we like to celebrate that part of who we were and we get such a great response,” said waitress Joann Farley. “Everyone really enjoys the menu.”

For an appetizer, there’s a traditional German salad platter of white cabbage, cucumber and beef. You can pick pork schnitzel, sauerbraten or a wurst platter for your main entry. Top it all off with a piece of apple strudel — all for $24.95.

A number of Oktoberfest beers will be available, of course, including Spaten.

Hunter’s Steak House [9404 Fourth Ave. at 94th Street in Bay Ridge, (718) 238-8899]. For info, visit www.hunterssteakhouse.net.

Bean Post Pub

If you really just care about the beer, then be sure to drop in to the Bean Post Pub, which is offering a large variety of Oktoberfest beers this season. 

Samuel Adams Oktoberfest and Victory Festbier are on draft for $6. There’s also Hofbrau, Reissdorf Kolsh and Halloween Pumpkin Beer available from $5-$6 bottled.

With all these great choices, how can one decide (besides trying all of them)? 

“I recommend the Reissdorf Kolsh,” said bartender Chris Dirusso. “It has a fine lager taste.”

The bar serves classic pub food in case you do get hungry, and brings in a DJ on the weekends for the dance floor. Just don’t expect any polkas.

Bean Post Pub [7525 Fifth Ave. at 76th Street in Bay Ridge, (718) 745-9413]. For info, visit www.beanpostpub.com.

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Great way to ring in 'Oktober'

By Meredith Deliso

The main event may be in Germany, but over here, you can still get some Oktoberfest action, thanks to Kelso of Brooklyn’s own outdoor brews, brats, and beats event on Oct. 2.

Kelso, Heartland Brewery and Captain Lawrence Brewing Company will be offering up some seasonally inspired ales, from pumpkin brews to, of course, Oktoberfest-style beers. There will also be music from jam band Small Kraft Warning.

The vibe will be “real casual,” said Kelso owner Kelly Taylor, who was inspired by a hot dog cook-off/fundraiser he held this past summer to do more events at his Clinton Hill brewery.

“We’ve always been involved in charities, donating kegs to nonprofits, theater companies, whatnot,” said Kelly. “It just occurred to us that we have a pretty good venue and can pull off some of our own fundraising efforts.”

To that end, proceeds from the block party will go to the Brown Memorial Community Development and Food Pantry, which is a stone’s throw away from the brewery on Waverly Avenue.

“There’s literally a line around the corner of the church with people waiting to get cans of food,” said Taylor. “It makes sense to have people come and be gluttonous and enjoy good food and drink, and have the money they paid go to people who can’t afford to eat bread.”

It’s a party with a purpose.

Oktoberfest Street Party at Kelso of Brooklyn [529 Waverly Ave. between Fulton Street and Atlantic Avenues in Clinton Hill, (718) 398-2731], Oct. 2 from 1-5 pm. Tickets $40 and includes a plate of food and three craft beers. For info, visit www.kelsoofbrooklyn.com.

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Craft beer week - in Brooklyn

New York Craft Beer Week is almost upon us, kicking off tomorrow night at the Rock Shop with a freaky fest featuring burlesque, music and, of course, beer.

Here's a look at some of the Brooklyn-centric festivities happening during the week:

Brewed in Brooklyn

Sept. 25 and 29, Oct. 2 and 3
Discover the past and present of beer brewing in Brooklyn

Bike Brooklyn Beer Blitz

Sept. 26 and Oct. 2

A guided tour by bicycle of Williamsburg and Bushwick's former breweries, with one beer included!

Brooklyn Brewery's Voyage of the IPA

Oct. 2

Join brewmaster Garrett Oliver (pictured) and the brewing team of Brooklyn Brewery aboard the sailing ship "Clipper City" around the city harbor for a hoppy journey into our brewing past, with some tastes, of course.

Kelso's First Annual Oktoberfest Street Party

Oct. 2
Join Kelso, Heartland Brewery and Captain Lawrence Brewing for a street party.

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For your Oktoberfest

Just in time for Oktoberfest comes a guide to the city's various beer gardens.

Beer Gardens NYC is a new app that features descriptions, photos and videos of 50 city beer gardens, including the Radegast Hall and Biergarten in Williamsburg.

According to the Times, the app was born during an outing at Goods restaurant in Williamsburg. Looks like Good ideas come out of Goods.

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Oktoberfest in Brooklyn

The main event may be in Germany, but over here, there's plenty of beer-related festivities going on in Brooklyn.

Get your drink on at some of these local Oktoberfests that caught our eye:

Roberta's

261 Moore St. between Bogart and White streets in Bushwick

Sept. 19, 1-8 pm

Featuring sausage and plenty of beer from Kelso of Brooklyn, as well as performances by Pass Kontrol, Lady Magma, Gunfight, Post-Magic, and Feral Foster.

Freaktoberfest Boutique Beer & Music Festival

Rock Shop

249 Fourth Ave. between President and Carroll streets in Park Slope,

Sept. 24, 7 pm

Shmaltz Brewing Company teams up with Bierkraft, Southpaw and BeertenderBrooklyn to throw Freaktoberfest, the kick-off party for NY Craft Beer Week. In addition to brews, take in bands, burlesque and, as the name promises, freakshow performances. Tickets $55.

Oktoberfest on Fifth

Park Slope

Sept. 30-Oct. 1

The Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District is planning a two-day Fifth Avenue Oktoberfest, taking place at several locations along the avenue with music on Fourth Street near Fifth Avenue. Details are still coming through for this one, so check the website as more comes in.

Kelso Oktoberfest

529 Waverly Ave. between Atlantic and Fulton avenues in Fort Greene

Oct. 2, 1-5 pm

Enjoy seasonal beers by Kelso, Heartland and Captain Lawrence breweries, as well as grilled sausage and music at this outdoor festival. All proceeds benefit the local Brown Memorial Community Development and Food Pantry. Tickets $40.

Any you'd like to add? Let us know in the comments section.

Photo: Liquor Snob

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Touchdown! Where to catch the game this season

By Andy Campbell

Football season is upon us — so that means it’s time for the important things in life: beer, meat, and watching your favorite team on a big-screen TV surrounded by lots of screaming, chest-bumping men.

But you’re probably like us: tiny TV, no cable, no backyard (which means no BBQ pork shoulder), and, well, no friends either. Getting all of these game-day amenities takes some real deep digging into Brooklyn’s best sports bars.

“The season’s always a good time,” said Maria Bova, a bartender at the Old Carriage Inn in Park Slope. “It’s pretty funny because you have the locals — who are coming for the Giants or Jets — but then you’ve got a great mix of transplants coming in, and there’s six games going on at a time.”

It’s easy to find any old watering hole with a TV. And beer specials and cheap eats are pretty common, too. But the key is to find the right mix of high-quality screens — believe us, you need high-def when Braylon Edwards makes that 40-yard, one-handed catch for the Jets in the end zone — crowd and food.

That’s why we have scoured the borough to bring you the top seven bars to catch a game:

Old Carriage Inn

It’s the epitome of the old-school sports bar. You’ve got at least six TVs — one is projected onto a wall — plenty of beers to choose from, inflatable Giants memorabilia, and some darn tasty munchies. It’s dark and spacious, and the customers get to choose what games are on at any given time. There’s even a $4.50 “mystery shot” special and $3 bottles during play.

Old Carriage Inn [312 Seventh Ave. at Eighth Street in Park Slope, (718) 788-7747].

Teddy’s

Ask anyone in the neighborhood where he goes to see some pain inflicted on the Patriots, and he’ll say Teddy’s. It’s a gorgeous, dimly lit bar with stained-glass windows, several TVs and an all-American menu. Try the burger ($7) with your selection of craft beer, and get ready to share your hoots and hollers with the rest of the hipster sports crowd. Also look for drink specials while either the Jets or the Giants are winning their games.

Teddy’s Bar & Grill [96 Berry St. at N. Eighth Street in Williamsburg, (718) 384-9787].

200 Fifth

This is easily one of the borough’s most-dedicated sports bars. It’s got more than 70 customizable TVs, great food and drink specials on game nights, and a huge crowd that’s guaranteed to make you a few new friends (unless you’re pulling for the Cowboys, but, really, come on). If you’re looking for the epicenter of sports overstimulation — or you’re making an odd request, like, “I’d like to watch the Dallas Cowboys, please” — then this is the place for you.

200 Fifth [200 Fifth Ave. near Berkeley Place in Park Slope, (718) 638-2925].

Water Street Restaurant

Forget the dance floor and the underwater lounge and the outdoor seating — today you’re here for pigskin and burgers. Water Street has that and a swath of great beers on tap, plus, it lays claim to being the best (and possibly the only) place to watch your games in DUMBO. If you’re really in a football mood, balance that pint in one fist with a Cajun blackened sirloin burger ($13) in the other.

Water Street Restaurant [66 Water St. between Old Dock and Main streets in DUMBO, (718) 625-9352]. For info, visit www.waterstreetrestaurant.com.

O’Keefe’s

Sure, it’s Irish, but these guys know how to throw the Great American party — with a Guinness, a steak, and a third down conversion. There’s plenty of room to crowd around the big TVs, and there’s always enough noise inside to make you feel as though you’re really the 12th man.

O’Keefe’s Bar & Grill [64 Court St. at Joralemon Street in Brooklyn Heights, (718) 855-8751].

Pour House

This place goes all out for the NFL. If you weren’t a Giants fan before, you will be when you check out the Sunday home games here — you’ll get a free half-time buffet and $9 Bud Light pitchers. There’s lots of bar space, TVs and bar games galore, and the place is packed during game time. Hoo-ah.

Pour House [7901 Third Ave. near 79th Street in Bay Ridge, (718) 491-6658].

3rd & 7

This relatively new spot has the true real tri-fecta: excellent views of the flat screens, quick service at the bar, and a mean buffalo chicken wrap. You’re definitely going to be bumping elbows with some real sports fans at this spot — while there’s certainly a family-friendly aspect to the restaurant space, the bar is absolutely devoted to the enjoyment of sports. Put this one at stop six of your football pilgrimage.

3rd & 7 [3622 Quentin Rd. between E. 36th and E. 37th streets in Marine Park, (718) 336-6300].

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