Local Highlights

Long Island City brewery guide

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Want to find a Long Island City brewery? Check out our guide for the top picks

From pale ales to lagers, craft beer has taken the country by storm, and New York City is no exception. The Big Apple is well-known for its Brooklyn craft breweries, but the best neighborhoods in Queens also have a lot to offer. Long Island City is home to several amazing breweries and taprooms that brew everything from golden ales to double IPAs. If you want to learn more, keep reading to check out our Long Island City brewery guide.

What do you need to know about breweries in LIC? 

When you start exploring the neighborhood’s breweries, you’ll notice that many of them are clustered together. This makes it easy to hit several of them in one evening without even having to call a Lyft or an Uber. 

The proximity of the breweries in LIC isn’t all you’ll notice. It won’t take long to realize that the brewers in this area tend to work together on jointly produced brews, including seasonal beers. This means you can find great beer that combines the best that Long Island City has to offer.

Be sure to try an IPA or a farmhouse ale from Big Alice Brewing Co.

Named in honor of Queen’s electric power generator, Big Alice Brewing Co. has been located on a quiet industrial street since 2013. Although it may not seem like much from the outside, within the walls of the unassuming brick building, you’ll find unique brews that are big on flavor.

When you step into this Long Island City tasting room, you’ll discover an intimate space that’s about the size of a living room. The brewery also provides outdoor seating, which is heated in the winter.

Dozens of beer options make an appearance on the menu, and many of them include unique ingredients. As a result, you shouldn’t be surprised to find everything from Lemongrass Kolsch to Barrel-Aged Jalapeno Rye. The tasting room’s variety also extends to how the beers are available. You’ll discover offerings on draft, in cans, and in barrel-aged bottles. 

If you’d like to visit Big Alice Brewing Co. in another part of town, you can make your way to its second brewer taproom, which opened in 2019. You can find it in Industry City in Brooklyn.

Make your way to Fifth Hammer Brewing Co. to enjoy a unique bar

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind space to enjoy everything from an India pale ale (Hop Tones) to an imperial stout (Nilla Slice), Fifth Hammer Brewing Co. is the place for you. This brewery came into the world in 2017, and it’s been a fan favorite ever since.

The space for this Long Island City brewery is reminiscent of a warehouse. The large venue features a long bar and tables made from the brewer’s repurposed beer barrels. Paying homage to the establishment’s name, the tap handles are hammers.

 Overwhelming variety is the name of the game regarding the craft beer here. You’ll find about a dozen flavor offerings that include a cherry and strawberry sour beer called Strawberry Fields Forever and a dark lager called Cloak Spell.

In addition to offering good beer, Fifth Hammer Brewing Co. often features pop-ups with food from around the best Long Island City restaurants and live music sessions.

Stop by Rockaway Brewing Company for a laidback vibe

Fans of a casual space will love Rockaway Brewing Company. Since 2015, this space has been serving up cold brews in a cozy space, complete with a resident brewery cat. You can purchase everything from draft beer, bottles, and growlers.

As you might have guessed from the name, the owners of this establishment started brewing in the Rockaways. However, they’re now proud to also call their Long Island City brewery home.

As one of the most famous craft breweries in LIC, Rockaway Brewing Company features several different seasonal beers, and they’re all one-of-a-kind. For example, you can find a hazy IPA called Whisker Disco that honors the brewery cat. There’s even a double IPA called the Hawaiian Pizza Double Slice, which even Hawaiian pizza haters can enjoy.

If you’d like to check out the taproom with just you and your friends, you can fill out an online form to make a weekend reservation in the upstairs space.

Rent a coliving space in Long Island City to enjoy these bars for yourself

If you’re ready to move to Long Island City, our furnished coliving spaces at ALTA by Common could be perfect for you. You can enjoy city living for an attainable price by renting a private room in an all-inclusive shared suite. We also offer private studios as well as one- and two-bedroom apartments in popular cities around the United States. Explore our living spaces to find your perfect home today!

 

Sources:

  1. https://www.bigalicebrewing.com/
  2. https://www.fifthhammerbrewing.com/
  3. https://rockawaybrewco.com/long-island-city

 

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