BIRTHDAY

Michelle’s birthday started early with her running in Central Park with Neal. Robbie watched while I watcher for the birds. Then it was back to the hotel for breakfast followed by a ‘yellow taxi’ ride to Chelsea Pier for the start of our Brewery Tour at Chelsea Brewery. You can always tell when you are greeted by an enthusiast. Tom the assistant brewer obviously loves his work and his lively description of the brewing process was a joy to listen to.

Then we were on the bus for an historical tour through Manhattan, Brooklyn, Williamsburg, Bushwick, and Astoria Queens (the latter named for William Astor in the hope that he would invest there – he didn’t!) We passed brewery buildings that no longer brewed but had been preserved for future generations. I wonder how many other people will have the same interest in later years. The graffiti strewn walls hide other activities that are going on in some of them but not all as some are obviously derelict.

The Breweries we visited were as follows:
Chelsea Brewery, Manhattan
Brooklyn Brewery, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Spuyten Duyvil, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Old Brewers Row, Bushwick, Brooklyn
Bohemian Beer Garden, Astoria, Queens

I have much praise for the entrepreneurs who have created this tour. Check out their website at www.thenewyorkbeerandbrewerytour.com

We met three guys from New Jersey who helped make our day more complete by sharing our enthusiasm for brewing and for being friendly and communicative. It’s good to have a sociable drink in good company.

We returned to the hotel for champagne and cake!


The evening was reserved for a meal with live music at The Prohibition on Upper West Side. Jammed with people but we still ate and listened. Almost a bit too much for all needed a comparatively early night to ensure that we enjoy the next day as much as we had done this one.