Beer Review: Greenport Harbor Brewing

Last weekend we had the opportunity to head out to the East End of Long Island on the North Fork to visit a relatively new and relatively small brewery in Greenport called, duh, Greenport Harbor Brewing.  They have a tasting room that is open on Fridays and Saturdays, but as it turned out...it was closed on this particular Saturday as they were moving the tasting room and doing construction.  Crap.

But one of the owners and the master brewer were there and we had a chance to discuss local craft beer with them in their converted firehouse turned brewery.  It's a really cool joint, and I can't wait to head back for a real tasting when they open it up again.  There is an old jailhouse right next door.  The guys told us they wanted to move the tasting room to the old jail, but since it's a historic site the town turned them down.  Too bad...that would have been cool.

Image courtesy of Loving-Long-Island.com

Since the tasting room was closed, they guys suggested a local restaurant that had a few of their beers fresh on tap.  That's the way all Greenport Harbor beers are served, by the way.  Fresh and on tap.  They haven't begun bottling yet and the furthest West they go is NYC.  And they handle their own distribution here on Long Island, which suits them just fine.

Here's what we tried at the bar:

Harbor Ale - Their flagship brew, an American Pale Ale brewed with wheat.  It's highly drinkable and totally delicious.  A bit of a hop splash in there makes it refreshing as well.  5.30% ABV.

Black Duck Porter - One of the best porters I've tried in a long, long time.  Roasted malt and a bit of smoke dominate this slightly heavy porter.  If you are fan of black beers, then I think you would dig this one.  4.70% ABV.

Havre Rouge - Their Spring Ale, a Belgian-style red ale with a bit of spice and a bit of fruit going on.  I love how the Belgian-style beers taste, um, different depending on where they are made.  This one is a welcome addition and the only example made locally that I can think of.  Really tasty.  5.40% ABV.

I've tried a few others at bars and festivals.  Their Local Honey Summer Ale, Disorient IPA and their Winter Ale called Anti-Freeze are all delicious too.  I'm looking forward to trying some of their other brews as soon as I get a chance.  So far, it's all been good.  Really good.