BREWERY REVIEW: Grimm Artisanal Ales

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

The last time I reviewed (or really tased) any beers from Grimm was way back in 2013 when they first hit the scene as a gypsy brewer. Early on, they were incredibly experimental and slowly built up a momentum of rabid beer followers.

I imagine that was the plan and the reason they were finally able to open up their own expansive brewery and tasting room in East Williamsburg.

Grimm has of course always been on my radar but I decided to focus more on beers made within New York City now that the industry was growing. Grimm can finally add their name to that list.

As I was making my way in, I was asked to take a photo of a girl who was with her parents and super excited to visit the brewery. Not sure if she was from out of town or within the five boroughs, but she was certainly one of those rabid fans.

After entering through the cool multi-colored door, the wonderful smells of brewing beer arrives and you’re greeted with a very lively crowd. I was surprised at how busy it was on a cold holiday weekend.

People filled in at just about every nook and cranny throughout the brewhouse. By the barrels, at the bar, at a series of tables, at a little souvenir table. There is also a small food stand serving hearty snacks from nearby Samesa.

I cozied up to the bar and took a look at their current options. I didn’t get the friendliest vibe from the staff but I wasn’t here to make friends. I was here for the beer.

The line-up was not so different from what I expected. Grimm is definitely one of the more fashionable breweries in Brooklyn, so of course, the menu would be comprised of lots of sours, fruited beers, a handful of IPAs, and plenty of milk sugar.

Flights weren’t specifically available but every draft beer had an option of a $4 four ounce pour which seemed reasonable to me. I stuck with three although was tempted to go further. If I didn’t have to work later, I may have made it through more.

Decision making is always difficult for me, but the one beer I knew I had to try was the Super Spruce. I wrongly expected notes of Christmas trees, but got something even more surprising.

This was a dry hopped Gose so any potential flavor from spruce needles got overwhelmed with funky sour notes. Grapefruit was present on the nose but the flavor was much more musty and complex without being too intense. I enjoyed a surprising hint of mustard and a tart finish.

Next up was the Gathering Quetsch Plums. As I imagine most people who were interested in ordering this did, I googled a “quetsch plum”. Maybe others might have asked. They are dark long plums from Alsace. Sounds like they are sweet and crunchy. Did that show up in the beer?

Definitely. The ruby red sour was so juicy that I really wanted to take a bite of the glass. I restrained myself. The brett sourness was tamed by a subtle sweetness and rounded out by a very pleasant finish.

I wish I had ended with a different beer, but I thought for variety (and seasonality) sake I should try one of the monster stouts that hovered well above 10% ABV. I think I chose the wrong one.

Cinnamon Babka is a 12% Imperial Milk Stout modeled after a classic Jewish sweet bread. Rich and dark this had huge foamy legs that slipped down the side. I could tell it was sweet and bold. Powdery cinnamon revealed itself on the nose. I almost thought I got some cinnamon on my chin – it was that aromatic.

But ultimately, I found this way too sweet – cloying, in fact. When people say Guinness is a meal, they really wouldn’t want to have this for dessert. It was like eating a piece of sweet bread but not as pleasurable. To be honest, I found the overly thick sweetness a bit too much and I couldn’t take more than a few sips.

Of course, the above are just a random sampling of the 16 beers they offered on draft. I really enjoyed the space and mostly appreciated the vibe (although a bit of pretension seemed to run through the air). I’ll slowly be working my way through some of Grimm’s repertoire now that they are truly a New York brewery producing in New York City.

Is Grimm Artisanal Ales the best brewery in NY? Some people are devoted followers. I thought the beers were mostly good but have to work my way through more before deciding based on that factor. As breweries go, this gets an 8  out of  10  for a lively spacious locale with different distractions yet a hint of exclusivity.

Is Grimm Artisanal Ale’s Super Spruce the best beer in NY? Although I was expecting a slightly different flavor profile, it gets an  8 out of10 for a pleasant musty funk and a bracing sourness.

Is Grimm Artisanal Ale’s Gathering Quetsch Plums the best beer in NY? A beautiful ruby color and juicy fruit notes, this is a balanced sour with just the right amount of sweetness. Another 8 out of 10.

Is Grimm Artisanal Ale’s Cinnamon Babka the best beer in NY? I can safely say no and I give it a. 5 out of 10 for being undrinkable in my opinion. It’s big and bold, sure, but cloyingly sweet and out of balance. Looking at it and smelling the cinnamon and cocoa notes is ok, but don’t drink it!!