According to a recent "study" by The New York Times, New York is home to no less than 54 beer gardens. Citing "cultural ascendancy" as one of the prime reasons for the rapid proliferation of these establishments in the city (the opening of Batali and Bastianach's swanky La Birreria on the rooftop of Eataly being the perfect example), beer experts such as Larry Spacek have gone so far as to proclaim that we're reaching "an era of beer gardens."
That said, in this era of beer gardens, our pick out of New York's 54 is the behemoth of a beer bar that is Spritzenhaus in Greenpoint. Yeah, we're not the only ones who love it (The Spritz gets love from Time Out New York, Gothamist, The New York Times, Greenpoint Gazette, Urbandaddy etc.) but whatever. It's huge. It has 100 tap lines. It serves pretzels and beer (and homemade sausages, sauerkraut, oysters, thin-crust pizza, summer salads, cider-glazed pork belly... you know, just in case you were feeling peckish). It has four filling stations on the sidewalk so you can fill up without coming back in to the bar. And it's beautiful. Cliche as it may sound, but what more could you want?
On top of all of this, Spritzenhaus sources its ingredients and produce from the nearby Eagle Street Rooftop Farms, a 6,000 square foot organic vegetable farm located atop a warehouse rooftop in Greenpoint. This (truly hyperlocal) produce is bicycled regularly to Spritzenhaus to ensure the freshest menu around.
Other stuff: the entire space is a colossal 6,000 square feet and boasts a snaking 100-foot bar (the space seats 250 bodies comfortably). Its taps pour everything from Jever, Radeberger and Spaten, to Sixpoint Sweet Action and Harpoons. If you're not into beer (gasp), you can throw back a carafe of wine, and they also serve a solid array of bourbon and scotches.
Spritzenhaus: 33 Nassau Ave., at Dobbin St.
