A HIDDEN GEM (Brooklyn Brewery’s Winter Ale at One Mile House)

I really feel like I stumbled on a little gem of a bar in an area that’s sort of in between neighborhoods. I was trying to pass some time one early evening and I was looking for a craft beer bar to taste a local brew between Soho and the Lower East Side. Thanks to BeerMenus.com, I stumbled upon One Mile House and had a wonderful time at this little find.

It’s located right next to the Bowery Ballroom so their clientele could be rowdy stoned, music fans, but this is a much classier joint than that with a speakeasy feel, an impressive craft beer list, and a grown-up food menu.  I was most tempted by the Bacon and Cheddar Matzoh Balls. I almost ordered the $11 appetizer, but I knew it would just kill my appetite for dinner. So I stuck with the beer.

The space is quite spacious (including two symmetrical bar areas and a dining room) which was most evident when I arrived on a weekday evening at 4:00. I quickly struck up a conversation with the bartender and the only other customer in the place. It ended up being a fun time and I got to sample one of their rotating seasonal beers, which is in addition to their regular list of 20 tap beers.

I chose the Brooklyn Winter Ale, which is about as seasonal as you get. Brewmaster Garrett Oliver changed the recipe a few years back and this Scottish-style Ale now surprisingly doesn’t feature any spices whatsoever. It’s just malts, hops, and yeast.

The beer poured pretty dark, but with an amber hue and a tight creamy tan head. The nose was quite aromatic with sweet nutty malt aromas. The beer had a rich creaminess to it, but still felt light and mellow on the mouth with a medium body and a very clean finish. I got some nice bready and nutty flavors with hints of toffee and smoke. It made for a very pleasant, warming beer.

It was truly the perfect beer to enjoy in a place like this. The entire atmosphere (including the service) felt warming and welcoming and along with a solid, flavorful beer and some nice company, it made the winter day just a little more tolerable.

Is Brooklyn Brewery’s Winter Ale the best beer in NY? It’s a smooth beer with rich flavors and a wonderful balance. It gets a 9 out of 10 for being a perfect winter beer – just as advertised.