We knew we’d eventually start to reap the benefits of Brooklyn Brewery’s recent expansion of their facility in Williamsburg, we just didn’t know when… until now.

A few big announcements came yesterday about their 2012 lineup of beers, which includes a new year-round beer, a new spring seasonal, a new canned beer, and the first of the Brewmaster’s Reserve Series beers for the year.

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We’ve wrapped up 2011 in a nice little package for you, but let’s take a look forward: what beer stories can we expect to hear in 2012? Here are some stories to watch for in the coming months, and some of our predictions - however misguided - for 2012:

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It’s Tuesday, January 3rd. Here’s our list of recommended beer-related events in and around New York after work tonight:

• Bar Great Harry (280 Smith St., at Sackett St., Carroll Gardens) hosts Brooklyn Brewery’s “Tap Attack” tonight from 6-10pm, with beers like a 2007 vintage Black Chocolate Stout, Radius, The Companion, and The Concoction on tap, and some pours from rare 750mL bottles available as well!
• It’s the first Tuesday of the month, so Cassius is at Blind Tiger Ale House (281 Bleecker St., at Jones St., West Village) spinning Kraut Rock from 8-10pm while they serve the rare Weihenstephaner Hoplosion and classic Hofbräu Dunkel on tap.
• This week’s Ten Buck Tasting at Jimmy’s No. 43 (43 E. 7th St., at 2nd Ave., East Village) features their favorite winter beers! $10 gets you six tastings of beers like Mahr’s Christmas Bock, Mikkeller Santa’s Little Helper, and Jolly Pumpkin Noel Calabaza. The tasting gets underway tonight at 7:30pm.

For more updates, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and check us out on Foursquare for our lists of beer bars, stores, and breweries!

It’s been a long and very active year on the craft beer scene in New York City this year. We’ve seen new breweries launch, new bars open, a few new out-of-state breweries arrive on our shores, and a few blockbuster beer events. Here are some of the highlights and lowlights of New York’s beer scene in 2011:

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It’s Thursday, December 22nd. Here’s our list of recommended beer-related events in and around New York after work tonight:

• Green Flash takes over the taps at The Pony Bar (637 10th Ave. at 45th St., Hell’s Kitchen) tonight starting at 6pm, with brews like I Plead the 5th Black IPA, Special Cuvee Tripel, and the Winter’s Folly Winter Warmer all on tap. Brewmaster Chuck Silva will be on hand all the way from San Diego to chat all things beer with you!
• It’s time to celebrate at Sunswick 35/35 (35-02 35th St., at 35th Ave., Astoria) tonight, as they throw their 6th Birthday Party all night long. There will be beer, naturally, including some winter beers from their week-long Winterfest, like Troegs Mad Elf and Corsendonk Christmas. We’ll raise a toast to another six years of craft beer in Astoria! Congratulations!
• Blind Tiger Ale House (281 Bleecker St., at Jones St., West Village) wants some toys. For tots, that is. Bring a new, unwrapped toy from 6-10pm to donate to Toys for Tots, and get $2 off select pints, including Maine Brewing Mean Old Tom and Jolly Pumpkin Noel De Calabaza.
• Left Hand visits Bierkraft (191 Fifth Ave., at President St., Park Slope) tonight starting at 7pm, pouring some rarities and old favorites. The Polestar Pilsner will be on tap, but also a CO2 version of the Sawtooth Ale (usually on nitro), a Heaven Hill Barrel-Aged Wake Up Dead, and Volume 3 in their Fade to Black Series, Pepper Porter.

And remember, for more updates, be sure to follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and check us out on Foursquare for great lists of beer bars, stores, and breweries!

Sixpoint’s Shane Welch and head brewer Ian McConnell ponder plans for a new beer in 2010 (photo via Facebook)

After 7 years at the helm of Sixpoint, founder, brewer, and President Shane Welch is stepping down from brewing operations and handing them over to his staff, he announced today in an email. He’s staying on as the brewery’s president, but with an experienced staff to rely on, he said he’s not concerned at all in passing brewing responsibilities on to his staff of four brewers, who he says are ready to “take this to the next level.”

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