Hops Hill — Restaurant in New York

Having lived in the neighborhood for the past 4 years, I feel inclined to give my two cents. First of all, let's start with the positives. The bar itself is clean and cozy with a friendly staff. It also offers a large selection of quality craft beers, on par with offerings you'd find at the many craft spots around NYC. However, the prices here are easily the most expensive in the area (Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, etc.) I don't really mind paying more for a superior product, but I can't help but notice when the same beers you might find at Tørst are actually more expensive at Hops Hill. And the prices are noticeably higher than at quality nearby beer spots such as Covenhoven, Glorietta Baldy, and Fulton Grand. The prices remind me of Fools Gold in the LES, which offers similarly high prices and an unparalleled ambience IN MANHATTAN. Also, at least to me, the ambience of the bar hasn't really gelled yet and it still has a bit of a manicured, sterile feel. Don't get me wrong. I'm glad to see parts of Fulton Street get a makeover, but...

Hops Hill is pretty new, but is already a prototype on the right way to run a beer bar. Their tap list is full of interesting stuff, including a lot of options from local breweries (Other Half, Finback, etc.). Didn't find what you like there? They have a lot of interesting bottles as well, including some rarer stuff (BCS, Crooked Stave). They're also the only bar in NY that I've seen offering Westvleteren for sale which is above and beyond. The bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly. The lighting is on the darker side but not too dark that you can't read the menu. The place has a roof and some chairs. That's really all a good beer bar needs, and yet plenty of places manage to screw it up. It also happens to be a great place to wait if you're trying to grab a table at Emily down the block. I wish the owners luck although it definitely seems like they don't need it, and I hope to come back...

A rather tiny craft beer bar that specializes in bringing great beer to the thirsty Brooklyn market. I can only imagine how quickly it can get packed; if you're familiar with Proletariat, it's just a hair bigger. The bottle list and draft list are consistently one of the best in New York City, and there are plenty of events that bring great tap takeovers their way. Hops Hill is a must stop for any craft beer fan that's...