Last night at Edible’s Good Beer—the annual food and beer bash that is effectively a closing party for July Good Beer Month—we announced the sixth annual Good Beer Seal Awards. The Good Beer Seal was established to fill a void in the craft beer industry, whereby there’s a lot of talk about beers and brewers but not so much about the retailers who sell great craft beer. Every year, a group of beer industry insiders and beer writers gathers to nominate a slate of worthy bars and bottle shops that deserve to be included in our elite community. The slate then is routed for voting. This year, eight bars made the cut:
- ABC Beer Co.—This retail bar/shop on Avenue C has been quietly making its mark on the larger East Village beer scene with a dozen draught lines and growlers to go.
- Crescent & Vine—Astoria is becoming a go-to spot for beer lovers! This cool shop was where we read this year’s mayoral proclamation that July is Good Beer Month and is at the heart of Queens’ emergence on the craft beer scene.
- Malt & Mold—There are many bars attempting to do regular beer and food pairings, but Malt & Mold’s beer and cheese tastings place them ahead in a crowded field.
- One Mile House—Situated right off the Bowery J stop, this “gastropub meets street easy” is a drink of fresh water (or beer!) on crazy Delancey Street, offering a more traditional take in an otherwise trendy SoHo neighborhood.
- St. Gambrinus—Another Brooklyn bottle shop (within throwing distance of the Barclay Center) is known for its diverse selection of beers and knowledgeable staff.
- The Good Life—Last year the Good Beer Seal left the borders of the five boroughs and ventured out to NJ and Long Island. The Good Life is this year’s sole non-NYC entry into the Good Beer Seal family.
- The Sampler Bushwick—This Bushwick bottle shop recently hit its one-year anniversary, and offers up tastings, small plates, and 20 draught lines, bringing craft beer to an area of Brooklyn where few options are available.
- Tørst—Not only among the best Brooklyn or NYC bars, this Greenpoint bar (home to Evil Twin) has been consistently ranked as one of the best beer bars in the world.
And there you have it! The Good Beer Seal has grown to 59 establishments, in and around NYC. Craft beer lovers from everywhere can rest assured of a superior drinking experience at these venues, and we congratulate the 2014 inductees!