BACK IN BLACK (Bronx Brewery’s Black Pale Ale at Alewife)

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

Of all the new NYC-based breweries popping up, I think Bronx Brewery has been the smartest. They didn’t roll out a dozen different beer styles from the get go, but instead focused on one quality beer and perfected it. Everybody in the beer world had tasted Bronx’s Pale Ale and it’s been generally well received.

Once they perfected the flagship beer, the guys in the northernmost borough (although the beer is currently brewed in Connecticut) have gotten creative. They’ve taken that winning pale ale recipe and put little twists on it. We’ve seen their Rye Pale Ale, the Bourbon Barrel Aged Pale Ale, the Zinfandel Aged Pale Ale, and now their newest spin is the Black Pale Ale.

I was hoping to discover it on my first visit to Alewife and was in luck. This spacious homey bar with a great soundtrack has been around for about a year now in a convenient area of Long Island City (just one stop on the 7 train). I was excited to finally be back in Queens. Especially since I stumbled upon their awesome daily Happy Hour ($2 off from 5-7) which includes most of the options on the extensive craft beer list.

The Black Pale Ale cost me just $5 but tasted like a million bucks! I generally love Black IPA’s and this worked on a whole new level that was both easier and bolder.

It is just about pitch black with a tight tan head. It smelled like a bouquet of hoppy flowers and grapefruit. If I had smelled this with my eyes closed, I don’t think I’d ever guess the color is as dark as it is. It definitely tasted very hoppy and citrusy up front, bit it finished with a warming hint of smoke and roasted coffee. I really could have pounded these all night long (or at least until 7pm when the Happy Hour ended).

I told you the guys at Bronx Brewery are smart. They keep making something delicious even more and more delicious.

Is Bronx Brewery’s Black Pale Ale the best beer in NY? It just might be at this exact moment earning a 10 out of 10 for balanced flavors and incredibly easy drinking.