American Craft Beer Extravaganza! So much beer to choose from and so little time to drink them all!
One does not simply walk into the Pony Bar expecting to order an imported beer. Well, actually, they just don’t have any here. American beers all the way baby! It was quite fitting to down a few here not too long ago on the 4th of July.
This new outpost of beer love is a terrific addition to the UES neighborhood we reside at in NYC and has already become a hot spot. With over 20 rotating beers on tap there is more than enough diversity for everyone’s palate. Ciders and cask beers too. All of the beers are a ridiculously affordable $6 each. Yes, all of them! It’s cray cray! So while the frat boys were downing $8 Heinekens and lame Bud Lights at the many bars in the area I was enjoying some mighty tasty craft beers here. Empire, Smuttynose, Dale’s, Ommegang, Boulder, Barrier, Kona, Coney Island, Southampton, and Abita are just a few that we happily imbibed.
It seems the higher ABV gets an 8 ounce pour while those under 8% ABV receive 14 ounce pour. They also offer growlers to go at a reasonable fee, for either $16 or $19, plus a small deposit on the glass. Bartenders seem to know their beer and will happily offer tastings if you want to sample a few before your purchase.
Love the rustic decor here. Canoe hanging from the ceiling, spacious with lots of seating, growler jars used as hanging lamps, barrels used as tables, beer signage everywhere, great classic rock playing, and only a few tv’s. It’s meant to be a gathering place for beer lovers, and succeeds admirably. Behind the bar are two large digital screens listing all the beer available that day. When they change beers the bartender rings a bell notifying everyone that a new beer has been tapped. Sweet!
The Pony Bar also sports a nifty menu of food offerings. Their home made potato chips with malt vinegar are addicting. Large hot soft hot pretzels with deli mustard help soak up the beer. The sandwiches are huge! I had the fried oyster and bacon with lettuce, spicy tartar sauce, on toasted Pullman bread. A big messy to eat but delicious. We also had the eggplant sandwich with roasted red peppers, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, on a toasted ciabatta roll. Also very good, and a nice option for beer loving vegans.
There are a few qualms I have with the place. Horrible acoustics. It gets extremely loud in here. The AC seems to be on as some parts of the bar are cooler than others, and the bathrooms are like a sauna. As it’s the UES it seems like the baby carriage crowd is here during the afternoon hours. Still, these are minor things that in no way affects my view of this wonderful American craft beer emporium. I saw a mixed crowd here that did range from mostly mid 20-somethings and older, but was not really an obnoxious frat boy gathering. Everyone was here to enjoy beer and the company of friends.
Seriously, if you can’t enjoy knocking back a few American craft brews at the Pony Bar you really should be hanging out at one of frat boy bars in the hood drinking warm light beer.
That, or just give up drinking beer.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-pony-bar-new-york-2
Phil… today is my first day back to school – no late night beer drinking for me… you are always tempting me with food and beer! Ha! I will lift a pint a your honor to a GREAT year and looking forward to more of your urban adventures! Honestly it looks like a great place to wind down and wind up!
Hey Clay!
Wow – back to school already? In NY they go back after Labor Day. Sorry to see your summer vacation has ended.
I have a lot more food and drink posts coming! I appreciate your support!
Aw now you are whetting my appetite. I’ll be drinking a few British ales tonight and this is making the time not come soon enough.
It sounds like you have quite a good selection of ales to choose from.
BTW what is a growler? We don’t use that term in the UK.
Hey Guy!
You have to love drinking a good beer / ale. Great selection and always something new here.
A growler is a bottle for beer purchase to take home. They usually come in a small size or a full jug. You can bring it back to be refilled too for the cost of the beer. Some bars have growler memberships here too.
You’re going to unfriend me for this but I don’t drink beer, I don’t like it. However… I love going to places like this because my hubby loves to try new beer and I like the atmosphere… that and seeing him happy.
Hey Emily!
There are so many new types and flavors of beer that you should give some a shot. You might like it. I’m sure your hubs would enjoy it here.
A while back I tried Ace Pear Cider and absolutely fell in love with it so I’ve been trying a few ciders here and there.
But, since we are moving to Longmont and Left Hand Brewery is within bike distance I just might have to give it a try… you never know I might end up liking a beer every now and then if I find the right one!
Hey Emily!
I also like a few ice sold ciders now and then. More breweries are making them too. Lucky you living near Left Hand. I like some of their brews!
If you ever find yourself in the area stop by and we’ll go have a beer!
Oh for sure! Of course I need to play with your dogs too!
Sounds like a decent place to kick back with a few drinks. I’m not much of a beer drinker but I have friends who are!
Hey Christy!
We gotta get you drinking beer, burping, and farting!
This place looks great Phil, from the beers which all sound fantastic, to the decor (canoe on the ceiling, Growlers and Beer Barrels, and of course, the food, love the homemade French Fries too. The bell ringing ritual, makes it kind of festive on the new select brew arrival, just some added fun. Definitely a good place to visit!
Hey Peggy!
It’s a fun place to discover some new beers and there are two of them in the city. Worth a stop to check out a pint or two!
Awesome! Reminds me of a place the hubby worked at in Omaha… restaurant/night club/ bar called Sharkey’s. They brewed their own right there in the open, and rotated the flavors each week. My favorite was raspberry beer!
Hey Tree!
I love those types of places! Some fun restaurants like Gordon Biersch do that too, with all kinds of flavors and brews rotating. Something for everyone.
Wow it’s 8:22 am and I seriously want that. I could handle the sandwich and get through the day – not the beer. I’m sorta a beer lovin’ sort vegan person – just not at the crack of 0830.
Hey Kenya!
Who said beer is just not for breakfast anymore? 🙂
I’m all the way in the Midwest and that place looks worth the trip.
Hey Joy!
Time to take a road trip! Good beer is worth the trek!
You had me at home made potato chips, yum!
Love craft beer and craft beer shows. I have really gotten into it. Some people go to wine tastings, I am a craft beer tastings kind of guy