East of NYC - The Buzz

Upcoming Event: Celebrating 10 Years of Blue Point Brewery on June 13, 2009

Award-winning LI based brewer Blue Point Brewery is hitting a milestone with 10 years in existence.  In order to celebrate this great accomplishment (and our favorite seasonal beer, Blue Point Blueberry Ale), Blue Point is hosting a party with lots of beer, music and fun times.  The event will take place on June 13th from 2-7pm.  If you plan on attending, tickets will run you $65 or $15 for designated drivers.  To find out more on this event and to purchase tickets in advance, please go to their website which can be found here.

*This event is 21+

Upcoming Event: American Craft Beer Week, May 11th - 17th

Nothing is better than sitting down to a pint of your favorite locally-made brew.  Why would you drink a Michelob or a Coors when you could be drinking some Blue Point, Blind Bat or Brooklyn Brewery master brews. From May 11th -  17th the American Craft Beer Week will be celebrated on Long Island. If you're around the neighborhood on Monday, May 11th, the Black Forest Brew Haus will be hosting a dinner to celebrate this great week. Now, go get your drink on and help support your local brewer.

[Beer Hall via Lenndevours]

Blue Point Brewery To Tap Largest Cask at the Cask Ale Festival on 1/24/09

To celebrate 10 years in existence, Blue Point Brewery is preparing to tap the world's largest cask, measuring in at 10,000 pints.  Housed at the Brewery, you'll be able to enjoy the contents for yourself during the Cask Ale Festival taking place on Saturday, January 24th from 1-5pm.  The beer that is in the cask is the "Rastafar Rye Ale."  Tickets to the event will run $35 and designated drivers will be able to attend for the low price of $10.

To purchase tickets click here.

Tickets are on a first-come, first-serve basis and once the event sells out, no more tickets will be sold.  Act fast!

Sunday Brunch of the Week on Long Island: Waterzooi in Garden City

In recent months we have sang the praises of Waterzooi in Garden City; a Belgian bistro specializing in their wide varieties of beer as well as their pots of mussels.  We've been here quite a few times and on one occasion we have had the pleasure of sitting down for brunch with our family in tow.  Along with their choices of moules (mussels) you will also have a choice of appetizers such as Sweet Maine Lobster Bisque, Sashimi seared ahi tuna and Fondue.  Entrees will range from burgers to salmon and french toast.

Waterzooi is a nice restaurant that you can take all members of your family to as well as friends.  It is laid back and can get hectic at times, but Sunday brunch seems to be a bit quieter than later at night. The list of beers may seem a little overwhelming when you sit down but we encourage you to make your way through their extraordinary beer list and sample many varieties.  516-877-2177

To view their brunch menu click here.

Cavo in Astoria

What used to be called Cavo Cafe Lounge & Garden is just now "Cavo."  If you haven't been to Cavo, you should make your way out to Astoria to enjoy what it has to offer.  In the warmer months, an impressive outdoor garden lit by candles on the tables is the highlight.  This restaurant / bar is open from 5pm - 4am nightly so make sure that you bring a few of your best friends to sit and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere as well as the wonderful Mediterranean food.  Live music is often playing in the background during the week and the weekend nights.  718-721-1001

To view their menu, click here.

Upcoming Event: The 2009 Spring Craft Beer Festival at Nassau Coliseum (March 28, 2009)

Mark your calendars for this great event coming to the Nassau Coliseum. With over 60,000 square feet of floor space the Spring CRAFT BEER FEST is a true craft beer tasting featuring an incredible variety of beers from some of the finest brewers in the country.

Award-winning local beers by Brooklyn Brewery, Blue Point Brewery, Southampton and great brews from special guests like Stone, Dogfish, and He'Brew are sure to keep you satisfied.

This is the craft beer event of Long Island!
Session I: 12:30pm-4:00pm (doors open at 12:00pm)
Session II: 5:30pm-9:00pm (doors open at 5:00pm)

Everyone who purchases a ticket will get in. No tickets will be sold once the event sells out. They have limited the number of attendees to insure that everyone that purchases a ticket will be able to sample the beers they want and move around with ease. The entire middle of the expo hall will be open with cocktail tables for you to meet your friends and relax.

To purchase tickets in advance, click here.

K.J. Farrell's in Bellmore

What's easier than stepping off of the train coming back from the city and entering a bar within a stone's throw from the platform?  This is one of the major draws to K.J. Farrell's in Bellmore.  A no-nonsense bar and grill; beer, sports, music and good food will help you unwind after those long hours at work and on the weekends.  Nightly drink specials will assist you on the Open Mic night and make sure to dust off your Guitar Hero skills as you'll certainly need them on Tuesday nights.  516-804-9925

T.J. Finley's in Bay Shore

If Donavan Hall gives his stamp of approval on a bar that focuses on beer, then we have no problem whatsoever putting our stamp on it as well. You see, Donavan has a very discerning taste and is to us, the equivalent of a Master Sommelier for the beer world.

T.J. Finley's in Bay Shore has been mentioned on his site as well for their extensive collection of about 100 different beers as well as a nice selection on tap. As a member of their Beer Club, you'll be able to track your progress on making it through the entire selection of 100 beers (on a touch-screen computer nonetheless.) As a beer member, you'll also receive a 50% discount on beer on Wednesday nights. It may take time, but this is certainly a hobby worth exploring. 631-647-4856

For a full list of their beer offerings please click here.

Total Wine Bar in Brooklyn

Lost At E Minor, an Australian born site with an outpost in NYC and Brooklyn had a great little writeup on Total Wine Bar in Brooklyn this week.  The focus of their feature was on the fabulous mac n' cheese that is on the menu there.  Along with cheesey snacks, you'll be sure to find a healthy selection of wines and beer to settle that late night urge.  The large bar is there for you to spend some time, and we certainly encourage it.  718-783-5166

East of NYC Beer Roundup: First Edition

Beer is one of the most popular drinks in the history of the world.  With thousands of restaurants to pour through (pun intended,) we've compiled a list for you highlighting the best places this side of the city to sit down and have a brew.  Whether you're a seasoned aficionado or just a leisurely drinker, we hope that you'll get out and partake in the many offerings available at these noteworthy establishments. 

Brooklyn:

Radegast Hall & Biergarten
Bierkraft
Brooklyn Brewery
The Brazen Head

Long Island - Nassau:

Waterzooi in Garden City
Croxley Ales in Franklin Square
Effin Gruven in Bellmore
Mr. Beery's in Bethpage

Long Island - Suffolk:

Blue Point Brewery in Blue Point
BrickHouse Brewery in Patchogue
Southampton Publick House in Southampton

We'll have detailed writeups in the future, but we encourage you to get out there and explore these as well and to let us know what your experience is like!

Queens:

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in Astoria

[Image via Ben-Harris-Roxas on Flickr]