As we march forward into 2016 for more craft beer, it’s time to take a look back at the openings, news stories, and highs and lows in New York in the past year. The beer industry continues to march ahead in New York. With 22 breweries now open in the city, this year marks a high point for the modern beer scene in New York City. And as far as bars go, the vast majority bars are making local craft beer part of their menu, and the bars that specialize in craft beer are opening in neighborhoods far and wide across the city. Here’s our look back at the year that was.

Best New Bar Opening
Mekelburg’s (293 Grand Ave., at Clifton Pl., Clinton Hill)

This Clinton Hill newcomer has been winning accolades for its food, but the beer selection is second-to-none and puts its focus squarely on local beer, supporting breweries like Flagship from Staten Island, Gun Hill from The Bronx, Other Half from Brooklyn, and Singlecut from Queens. The bar-and-deli combination has allowed the food to shine – it made Village Voice’s Ten Best Restaurants and had Gothamist fawning over its Porchetta. Mekelburg’s has helped elevate the food-and-beer culture in New York in a wholly unpretentious setting.

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(Photo courtesy Strong Rope Brewery on Facebook)

2015 has generally been a slow year for new brewery openings in New York City compared to 2014. Just three new breweries have opened this year – LIC Beer Project, a new Coney Island Brewing Company facility, and a larger space for Bridge & Tunnel Brewery. In 2014, the number was three times that. But squeezing in just under the wire is the newest member of the Brewery Class of 2015: Strong Rope Brewery (574A President St., at 4th Ave., Gowanus), which opens this week in Brooklyn.

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Two local breweries will break out new releases this weekend, including one long-awaited annual release and another opportunity to take home some sought-after Long Island-brewed beer.

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Rattle-N-Hum has added a second outpost on the West Side (Photo: Chris O’Leary)

Every month, we’ll bring you a list of the new places we’ve added to our Brew York Beer Guide, the best way to locate beer venues across the five boroughs. Among the spots you’ll see in this month’s update: a new spot to grab a beer before a game at MSG, a new spot to get your growler filled on Prospect Park West, and the craft beer-filled ping pong venue you’ve been looking for.

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Three releases this weekend will give you the opportunity to bring some fresh new beer brewed in New York City back to your fridge for enjoyment at home – no growler required.

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Where the beer magic happens at LIC Beer Project

What greater feeling is there as a beer drinker than drinking fresh beer straight from the source? Given the explosion in craft breweries in New York City in the past few years, it’s becoming easier and easier to do. So, for your reference, we’ve put together a list of every single place in the five boroughs where you can drink beer brewed right on the premises. Some places, you can only try a few samples, and at others, you can drink a whole pint (or several). Regardless, these are the places where fresh beer can hit your lips within feet of where it’s brewed… and it’s updated with even more places since we last compiled this last year! Our list is sorted by borough. Here we go!

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