A few weekends ago, I hosted a bus trip to the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. It was billed as a history of brewing in Brooklyn and beer tasting. But it was more. Our day started at an Ecuadorian restaurant. Next, we learned about Brooklyn’s past brewing history, visited brewery skeletons of the past and enjoyed a walk throught a neighbourhood which was once a German enclave. We walked past former tenements, restored and not and made a stop at Most Holy Trinity Saint Mary Church a mainstay of the German immigrant community. Last stop, Kelso Brewery for a brewery tour and craft beer tasting. The weather cooperated and it was a good tour….
Our tour began at Barzola Restaurant located in the center of “brewers row”, formally one of the largest brewing neighbourhoods in the United States. It was a perfect start to the tour. We enjoyed: Humitas de Dulce, a sweet corn pie wrapped and steamed in a corn husk, wonderful Ceviche de Camarones, shrimp ceviche in a lime, vinegar, cilantro red onion broth with plantain chips and Chaulafan, egg fried rice with chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, beef sausage and mature roasted sweet plantains.
We were also able to purchase beer and wine.
The Ecuadorian cervezas Pilsner and Club were very nice.
Most people do not realize,
South American beers are in the German style.
Many of the conquistores were German.
Just up the street at
the corner of Humboldt Street and Meseroles is what is left of John Schneider’s brewery founded in 1865.
It once took up most of the block and was the “brewers school” for many breweries to follow.
Schneider became famous for his beer garden.
Many Manhattanites would make day trips to the beer garden where the staff spoke German and English.
But the Manhattanites were shocked that women, children and babies were served beer.
It is a European tradition and most do not realize beer was developed as an alternative to unclean water.
It was also served on sailing ships, water quickly became rancid, hops are a preventive.
Another skeleton of the past, New York Brewing Company.
Located around the other corner at the other end of the block from
Schneider’s.
Across the street is a school which replaced Warren G. Abbott Brewery.
The brewery was torn down.
Next stop, a block away, Adolf Huber Brewery.
This massive structure now houses Bushwick Supply Main Drag Music and music studios.
This is a classic lager brewery and its success is due to its proximity to the Long Island Rail Road and a fresh water source from Long Island. Also, this was a gravity feed brewery.
The grain was hoisted to the third floor and mashed, gravity fed to fermention tanks on the second floor and sent to the first floor to be barrelled.
Then lagered in caves deep below the brewery.
Ice was carted in to keep the caves cold.
The caves still exist, as do many others on sites of former breweries in the district.
The German breweries produced German style lager beer.
It is made with a bottom fermenting yeast and cold stored.
Versus ale which uses a top fermenting yeast and not cold stored.
Huber was eventualy aquaried by Edward B. Hittleman and survied to 1951.
Today, it is a Chinese dumpling and wanton skin factory…
A changing neighborhood......
Please click the link......
Most Holy Trinity Church has been on Montrose Avenue in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn since 1841 when Father John Stephen Raffeiner founded the parish, built the first church, and began his ministry among the German immigrants of Williamsburg. Six blocks away, on the corner of Maujer and Leonard Streets, the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (commonly called "St. Mary's") was founded in May of 1853; the first pastor, Rev. Peter McLoughlin, served the Irish immigrants. Both parishes, two of the oldest in the Diocese of Brooklyn, merged on September 1, 2007, forming the new parish of Most Holy Trinity – St. Mary. Most Holy Trinity – St. Mary continues to serve this culturally diverse neighborhood.
Our host, Brother Timothy was most gracious, kind, warm and informative.
He not only give us a history of the church but discussed its relevance in the mid 1800s to immigrate groups in the community past and present.
Our last stop......
The new face of brewing in Brooklyn......
The home of Kelso of Brooklyn......
The largest brewery in Brooklyn.... Fermentation tanks....
For the most part Kelso is a contract brewery......
Heartland Brewery is a client as is Six Points....
This is common...
Grain silo.....
Yes, and we ended the day with an IPA made with New Zealand hops, a Brown Ale and a lovely Pilsner......
Beer and Brooklyn.....
What could be bad.......
Check out the Urban Oyster vidio......
