Brewery Profile: Brooklyn Brewery (Brooklyn, N.Y.)

 

Founded in 1987, Brooklyn Brewery started brewing in nearby Utica through Matt Brewing Company, owners of Saranac. In 1996, the company converted a matzo ball factory in Brooklyn to another brewery. It expanded once again in 2009 to become fully independent, fulfilling its massive demand for award-winning brews.

 

Brown Ale

ABV: 5.6 percent

3.5/4 mugs

 

With hints of chocolate and raisins, combined with a toasty malt smell and flavor, this is truly an autumn beer. It’s slightly sweet, but also hoppy, with a little bite at the end to counterbalance the sweet malt flavors. Though it comes in at 5.6 percent ABV, it is still light enough to drink a few without feeling full. Pair with a nice steak, burger or hearty stew for a satisfying meal.

 

Pennant Ale ’55

 

Style: English Pale Ale

ABV: 5.2 percent

3/4 mugs

 

Light, crisp, and well-balanced: all the qualities of a good pale ale. It uses Scottish malt, which gives the beer a nice sweetness. The smell has a biscuit-like malt, but the hop flavor comes out in the taste, along with some toffee and mild fruit, like apricots. Just bear in mind — it is a relatively dry beer.

 

East India Pale Ale

Style: IPA

ABV: 6.8 percent

2.5/4 mugs

 

Unlike most IPAs discussed thus far, this Brooklyn’s brew is highly carbonated. This leaves a more malty taste in the mouth, offsetting the hops. Sweet versus bitter creates balance when most IPAs are usually bitter. The higher alcohol content is noticeable in the first taste, but the beer remains relatively light and easily drinkable. For a little alcoholic kick without the intense bitterness, give this IPA a try.

 

Lager

Style: American Amber/Red Lager

ABV: 5.2 percent

Mugs 3.5/4 mugs

 

The mainstay lager in the Northeast micro-brew scene, Brooklyn Lager is perfect with pizza, chicken wings or any other late-night food. Slightly bitter, this beer is heavier than most American light lagers. Yet it’s still highly sessionable and has a nice balance of biscuit-like malt and citrus-hop flavors to create a more complex lager. It’s worth a taste over the standard Yuengling or any comparable light lager.

 

— Compiled by Lucas Sacks, staff writer, ldsacks@syr.edu