
Update! - I met Billy Joel at the BrickHouse Brewery
In spite of its name the BrickHouse Brewery in Patchogue is technically a brewpub.
Beer, carefully crafted by brewmaster, Mark Burford is served along side standard pub fare and nicely prepared specialty dishes in a comfortable setting.
Echoes
of the 1850’s former general store BrickHouse Brewery
occupies are seen throughout the pub giving it a warm, nostalgic charm.
Copper brewing equipment in full view of the bar completes the picture.
A bumper sticker pasted near the brew kettles, “Save the Ales” made me smile.
BrickHouse Brewery is also a venue for live music with a regular act appearing on Fridays, karaoke on Thursdays and a variety of bands on weekends.
As
someone who spends a significant amount time in Long Island bars and
restaurants I’ve experienced my share of good service.
Left: Ann Marie pours a cold one.
But, I was more than pleasantly surprised during my first visit to BrickHouse Brewery when the bartender welcomed us in, politely introduced herself and then asked our names.
All afternoon it was, “Bill, what can I get you?” And “Karilyn, do you want a refill?” Ann Marie made us feel like royalty. And she was endearing too, taking a genuine interest not only in us, but the rest of her customers as well.
The
cynical might say she’s just doing that to assure a good tip.
Sorry. It’s hard to fake thoughtfulness and those who have to
fake it can’t do a convincing job.
Right: Ann Marie and Mike with beer mugs ready to fill.
Besides, I take good service at face value without analyzing it. If the service is good, who cares what the motivation is? I certainly don’t.
While Ann Marie was working our end of the bar, her husband, Mike was working the other. I’ve never experienced husband & wife tag team bar tending before, but this was great. The two of them made our day.
BrickHouse
Brewery offers half a dozen varieties of their own beer plus one or two
from the nearby Blue Point Brewery.
Left: Pints of Boy Red and Peggy's Pislner with some sample glasses on the side.
On this particular day the selection included several ales, a pilsner and a stout. The brews were all well made, clear and with nice heads.
On tap from Blue Point were Toasted Lager (one of my personal favorites) and Blue Point Blueberry, a dry fruit beer made seasonally.
After sampling all of them I settled in for a pint of Boy Red, a hearty, but nicely balanced red ale while Karilyn committed to Peggy’s Pilsner, a brisk, clean thirst quencher.
Although I usually go with high alcohol, heavily hopped IPAs, todays choice was made primarily for food. I wanted something that tasted good, had reasonable body but not too malty, and wouldn’t overpower my meal. Boy Red was the perfect choice.
The food was good, presented well and served in
ample portions.
Right: That bowl of back bean soup is a lot bigger than it looks.
I ordered the Brewer’s Sausage appetizer along with Manhattan clam chowder and the BrikHaus salad (hold the walnuts please).
Karilyn had the Black bean soup and the BrickHouse Nachos. Of course, we shared everything.
The clam chowder and black bean soups were excellent. The Brewer’s sausage (a knockwurst and a bratwurst) were served on dark, slightly sweet sauerkraut that was mild enough to actually eat. The sausage and sauerkraut were great with the beer.
The salad was good, but don’t ask me why I ordered it. Beer, nachos, soup, sausage. A salad? Was I trying to save calories or save room for desert?
Never mind, I’ll just have another beer…
The
Brickhouse Brewery
67 West Main St.
Patchogue, NY 11772
631-447-BEER (2337)
Fax:
631-447-6532
Open 7 days a week
Lunch (11AM-4 PM)
Dinner (4PM-10PM)
(Fri &
Sat. to 11PM)
Takeout Available
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