The Old Ale House

Brooklyn Ale House has always been a nice midday respite for a pint. They even beckon with a sign (right).

A wonderful brunch (free bagels + paper - because who needs all that fancy stuff anyways) rounds out the fare from this neighborhood stalwart.

7 out of 10 Pints.

Only the Penitant Man Will Pass

Spuyten Duyvil is sort of a Holy Grail of beer bars. A veritable wonderland of strange elixirs for the imbibing. Not only can you get a true Imperial Pint, but there are a host of other traditional options to try. Not the least of which being the Cask Ales, which vary seasonally. Seating is a little challenging, but get there early and the choice is yours.

8.5 out of 10 Pints.

Ring the Telephone, But Careful Who Answers...

The Telephone Bar is a nice place in the warmer days to sit with a true 20oz'er and watch the world go by. Prices are reasonable, AND they have Cider on tap. Unbelievable that this is a rarity. In the old country, the tradition goes that you drink Guiness in the winter and Cider in the summer. Is this a tradition lost in the new world? Clientele is mixed, but some days you can be lucky and get a quiet table. Avoid during the cold times though.

5 out of 10 Pints. 7 out of 10 Pints for the Cider!

Time to go to Bed

The Scratcher is a decent place for a pint in the east village. Usually quiet, but now all the horrendous buildings going up may change all that.
Nice place for an afternoon though, as the sunlight comes in through the low windows. Last time I was there the bartender looked like Siouxsie.

6 out of 10 Pints.

Turn it up to 11

11th Street Bar is a family favorite. Been going there for several years now. Even stopped there the night of my bachelor party... Good atmosphere most nights. Low amount of riff raff, just the common-folk.

Only drawback is the lager is priced a little higher than your average pub.

6 out of 10 Pints.

King Puck

Puck Fair serves up a cozy pint. Along the same lines as Swift (they are part of a larger conglomerate), it has nonetheless a good pour. Excellent food as well, should the mood strike you. Regular patrons lament when the "stuffed spud" is gone.

Friendly staff... Chance of a possible buyback, a rarity in these parts.

7 out of 10 Pints.

An Island in the Inner Hebrides

Iona is a quaint Scottish bar in the southern confines of Willamsburg, Brooklyn. Known for the televised soccer matches and backyard ping pong games. I've only "pinted" here a handful of times, but the pour was always correct. It's what's expected for a true ex-pat bar.

6 out of 10 Pints.

Swiftly now... Swiftly.

Swift Hibernian Lounge has a very good pour. Sadly, the crowd can get the better of you on a blustery night when all you want is the racing form and a pint of mothers milk.

7 out of 10 Pints.

The First Sip

The purpose of this blog is to be an atlas. A chart for kith and kin to find the Imperial Pint, sadly a dying breed in my fair city.

Stay tuned.