PONY UP YOUR FIVE BUCKS (Chelsea Brewing Company’s Wheat Wine at The Pony Bar)

My search for the best beer in New York continues….

SADLY, THE PONY BAR IS NOW CLOSED.

I think The Pony Bar is my new favorite craft beer bar in the city. It looks like a dive from the exterior and it’s so far west (10th Avenue) that most people probably wouldn’t consider it a destination. Yet inside, it’s bright and lively (but not too lively) and they offer twenty American craft beers on tap (and two casks). And I haven’t even mentioned the best part yet: every beer is just $5 at all times.

Now to keep costs low, some of the higher alcohol beers are served in an 8 ounce glass, but this price is still pretty great. There’s also a certificate on the bar alerting customers to when the last time the tap lines were cleaned (it was a few hours earlier). The bartenders were friendly and patient as it took me some time to decide what to order. I had come in search of Barrier Brewery’s SaazSquash, but was a little too late. It had been tapped earlier in the week. They go through quite a lot of beer and the line-up is ever changing. In fact, a bell rang while I was there (to signify a tapped keg) and a new beer was added to the menu.

So since it takes me some time to write these posts, I can’t guarantee that any of the beers I saw there will even still be available. I chose the Chelsea Wheat Wine, since I had been really taken by Brooklyn’s Companion which is the same style. This one was served in a typical 16 ounce pint glass and at 8.4% alcohol, it can get the job done for just 5 bucks.

It had a golden straw color with the typical hazy opaqueness of a wheat beer. There were sweet honey notes on the nose and that presented itself when I tasted it as well. There was some citrus and quite a bit of sugary sweetness, but very little hop character. It was a strong beer, but finished pleasantly and smooth.

I think I still prefer the boldness of Brooklyn’s version, but this one will certainly do. It may be a bit sweet for some people’s taste but I liked the lightness and flavor. And I loved the price and selection at Pony Bar. I’ll drink whatever they’re serving. Well, on second thought…

Is Chelsea’s Wheat Wine the best beer in NY? It’s strong and sweet, but is an interesting style that’s incredibly drinkable so it gets an 8 out of 10.