The 4^th Annual Five Boro Craft Beer Fest Is A Tasting Delight For Beer Geeks

Friday night, the 4^th annual Five Boro Craft Beer Fest was held in The Well’s 11,000 sf courtyard of a 19^th century Bushwick warehouse (which ironically was a former brewery).

This year’s fest offered unlimited tastings from over 100 beers from dozens of small local breweries; some of which have never been publicly offered. The quaintness of the festival allowed beer geeks like myself to sample small batch beers and offered the opportunity to talk directly with expert brewers. Breweries based locally in the five boroughs were primarily featured but there was a smattering of small breweries from outside NYC as well as “gypsy brewers”. Gypsy brewers do not have their own spaces but work with other brewers to craft their beer. A complete list of breweries at the fest can be found here.

Mothership Meat Company provided tasty and tender brisket and pulled pork, while John Brown Smokehouse of Long Island City offered cornbread and coleslaw. Rounding out the food offerings were chicken and waffles from Bee Hive Oven and three types of pretzels from the artisanal soft pretzel purveyor Sigmunds.

Attendees were entertained throughout the evening by the bands Rusty Cannons and Mokra who played a mix of classic rock covers including Grateful Dead classics as well as mixing in some blues and funk.