Spring’s most anticipated craft beer openings

Taproom 307 is one of a healthy handful of craft beer spots opening this spring in the New York area.

Spring is a time of rebirth, and nowhere is that more true than with the craft beer scene in the New York area. Already, two beer hotspots - Bierhaus NYC (712 3rd Ave., at 45th St., Midtown East) and Taproom 307 (307 3rd Ave., at 24th St., Murray Hill) - have opened up shop this spring. But there are quite a few more on the horizon that we’re looking forward to.

The details on the new spots - and projected openings - are after the jump:

Spritzenhaus (33 Nassau Ave., at Guernsey St., Greenpoint)
Low-down: From the people who brought you Spitzer’s Corner, this massive 6,000 square-foot beer hall will offer communal tables, up to 100 (!) tap lines at four filling stations, and sausages and thin-crust pizzas.
Our take: In a neighborhood already oversaturated with craft beer (The Diamond, Mugs Alehouse, Brooklyn Brewery, The Gutter are all within four blocks of here), this place may put Williamsburg at the forefront of New York’s beer scene. It’s certainly going to be unique, and its owners have a reputation of serving a well-curated beer list at Spitzer’s. But it could also be a complete shitshow, given its massive size and the buzz it’s gotten already. And the cavernous space kind of gives us the creeps. We’ll see how it plays out.
Projected opening: May 1st

Little Town NYC (118A E. 15th St., at Irving Pl., Union Square)
Low-down: Carved out of a portion of the neighboring Sidebar, this small spot will focus on all things New York State: local pub grub, New York-inspired dishes, and, of course, New York craft beer. They’ll have over 20 beers on draft and countless bottles… reasonably-priced at around $6.
Our take: What’s not to love about a place that will serve Rochester’s famed Garbage Plate every Tuesday night? It’s a small space, and its backers are more well-versed in serving Miller Lite to a frat-tastic crowd, so color us skeptical. But at the same time, they’re promising monthly beer tastings, 100 different beers in stock, and tasting flights, so this might be the real deal. And if you play favorites with your breweries, and they’re Ithaca, Southern Tier, or Southampton, you’ll probably be a very happy drinker here.
Projected opening: April 15th

(Photo courtesy Beertography)

Barcade Jersey City (163 Newark Ave., at Erie St., Jersey City)
Low-down: Look familiar? From the people who brought you Barcade Brooklyn comes its New Jersey offspring. What you see is what you get: 24 taps of American craft beer, one cask, and tons of arcade games from your Gen-X childhood. It’s bigger than its Brooklyn location, and a food menu and outdoor space are in the works.
Our take: Don’t mess with what works. This is the real deal. Sure, the crowd will be a little different, and the beer selection may not look as familiar (thanks to many beers that New Jersey gets that New York doesn’t), but we have no doubts that this will be as good as the original.
Projected opening: April 22nd

Breukelen Bier Merchants (182 Grand St., at Driggs Ave., Williamsburg)
Low-down: Beer to stay and to-go. Long in the works and stalled with licensing issues, this bottle and growler shop will have 16 taps for half-gallon fills to go and pints to stay in the communal seating area in back. Because they’re a retail shop, they won’t be open late, but they’ll be a good grab-and-go spot for the craft beer nerd.
Our take: Duane Reade opened their own growler shop, Brew York City, just three blocks from here. But they’re not exactly going to fill those growlers with anything crazy, going for more mainstream beer options from Brooklyn and Blue Point. Expect Breukelen Bier Merchants to get the upper-hand on the growlers that’ll get you oohs and aahs at a house party.
Projected opening: It’s been a long time coming, but we’re hoping for May 1st.

La Birreria at Eataly (200 Fifth Ave., at 23rd St., Flatiron)
Low-down: You’ve probably already heard too much about this place, but if you haven’t, three Italian craft brewers are teaming up with Dogfish Head’s Sam Calagione to open a rooftop brewpub on the 15th floor of Eataly. The space will have a retractable roof to enjoy three craft beers on cask under the stars, paired with tasty meats and cheeses.
Our take: We’re super-stoked, but La Birreria may reach shitshow proportions quite quickly, given the popularity of everyone involved in the project. Regardless, we know the beer will be good, and it’s great to have another place in New York City to get beer brewed on the premises.
Projected opening: May 15th (brewing on the roof began last weekend)

Alewife (5-14 51st Ave., at 5th St., Long Island City)
Low-down: With its first mention with an ad in the program for Get Real NY, our interest was piqued by this new concept for a struggling but bright and airy space in Long Island City. We don’t know too much more yet, but as things come along, we’ll let you know more.
Our take: We have reason to believe that this spot will be good: the names behind it. Daniel Lanigan of Cambridge, MA’s Lord Hobo will be at the reins, along with many others with serious craft beer chops. While we shouldn’t judge positively on this information alone, it’s hard not to.
Projected opening: June 1st