BEER TRAVEL: The Rattle N Hum, NYC

The Irish Are Coming...

There is nothing better than trying beer in a foreign land. Having a completely different selection available is as freeing as it is exciting. The Rattle N' Hum was the main stop on a recent (by recent I mean February) to New York. A city that has its fair share of top of the line brewing, most notably Brooklyn Brewery.

The 'Hum is located just across from the Empire State, so after appropriate tourism you can visit this superb little bar.
Owner Patrick Donagher, originally from Donegal has really tried to cram every aspect of US microbrewing into this little bar.

A long sloping bar on the way in, some 40taps offering some of the country's finest range of beastly hopped and mildly refined ales.

On our three visits while we were the rotating list stayed pretty much the same, unforntunately we missed the IPA-a-thon they had the following week but I'm being pedantic. I had numerous big bold IPA's and Imperial Stouts. Stone's Arrogant Bastard, a favourite of mine (now available here and I have the bottles in my cupboard to prove it) oak aged.

Storm King stout on tap. A truly glorious beer which never disappoints. Beers from Weyerbacher, Brooklyn, Dogfish, Goose Island, Rogue, Smuttynose, Sixpoint.... the list goes on, however I was there on a purely recreational level and inebriation may have kicked in.

A really interesting place to go a beer, they now have a small cask bar and a bottled list comprising some very hard to get brews. I left with a handful of great brews courtesy of Patrick, Nogne Imperial Stout, Stone 12th Anniversary, Peche Mortel and Smuttynose Old Brown Dog

They also do a 'beer flight', 4 8oz servings of tap beers for $16. A great way to try as much as possible while you are there.