Craft beer bars earn a Seal from writers, brewers and NYC's colorful breweratti
In a city packed with faceless, tasteless bars serving beer—nondescript Irish pubs, farty sports pubs, Turtle Bay taps flashing Bud Light Lime specials—there’s a group of dedicated men and women raising awareness for NYC’s craft beer establishments. And god bless them!
Led by living legend Jimmy Carbone (Jimmy’s No. 43), the Good Beer Seal Steering Committee is the James Beard Awards with a beer gut—the members, composed of bar owners and journalists, meet frequently to discuss product, trends and nominate Seal recipients. The rules are straightforward: The establishment must serve 80 percent craft domestic and unique imports, and offer guests with educational programming.
On Tuesday evening, d.b.a. Brooklyn hosted a party and announcement of the recent batch of recipients. They included Bronx Ale House, The Brazen Head, reBar, 124 Rabbit Club, George Keely’s and Rattle ‘N’ Hum. As Fuller's ESB and Goose Island flowed, NYC’s top “breweratti” gathered, drank, talked shit about big-box brewers and feasted on Tchoup Shop's killer housemade boudin noir, gumbo and "man" burgers (pulled pork). Also, a friendly reminder: July is Good Beer Month in New York City. —Matt Rodbard
