BEER REVIEW: Barrier Brewery’s Melt at BRONX ALE HOUSE

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

I really plan out my food adventures. I’ve been wanting to visit Bronx Alehouse for years now. It’s the holy grail of craft beer in the entire borough. Problem is, I rarely make it up to the Bronx. So when I realized it was right next door to S&S Cheesecake and Loeser’s Delicatessen was a few blocks way, I decided to make a pilgrimage. Pastrami, cheesecake, and beer all in one trip? Welcome to my life!

Bronx Alehouse looks like any other sports bar. From the outside, it doesn’t really advertise itself as a haven for beer geeks. And once inside, the staff and ambiance is laid back and unpretentious. I definitely appreciate this when it comes to good beer. Too much of a scene could turn people off from trying something new.

My hope was to try one of the locally made Bronx beers, but I was disappointed to see they did not have any on tap during my visit. If I had hung out long enough that might have changed, since their draft list is constantly in flux and an electronic menu behind the bar shows you how close each tap is to being kicked. I also liked that when I asked about the draft list the waiter told me I could see it in real time on their website. Fancy, fancy.

I ordered their famous pulled pork sandwich with sweet potato fries. The pork was sweet and smoky, but I was disappointed with the tepid and sugary fries. It (and the rest of the gastropub menu) no doubt pairs well with their selection of beers.

The only New York beer on their list that I hadn’t tasted was Barrier’s Melt. Any one who frequents this site knows that Barrier is one of my favorite local breweries and I’m always excited to try one of their new creations. This golden and perfectly transparent brew focused on the hops. I could smell it as soon as it was put down on the table. No need to stick my nose in the glass to get whiffs of the piney aromas.

I appreciated the creamy, rich body and light finish to the beer. The flavors were very grassy and citrusy with a spicy finish. I actually found it a bit too acidic for my tastes, but it was a perfect pairing for the fatty, meaty dishes on the menu.

The beer would be a favorite for serious hopheads who like a dry, flavorful pale ale. It’s just one of the seventeen craft beers (mostly from the US) on draft at this unassuming and comfortable bar that is perfect for everyone whether you’re not too fussy about your drinks or you’re a serious craft beer drink or you’re like me and excited to travel hours on the subway to eat and drink your way through New York.

Is Barrier Brewery’s Melt the best beer in NY? It’s quite dry and acidic, but has a fresh hop flavor and incredible aroma. It earns a 7 out of 10 from me.