Spuyten Duyvil

7/10/2008 1:22:58 PM, thursday, july 10, 2008 [ Updated monday, july 14, 2008 ]
HATE IT. I was a long time ratebeer member, but left because of a hectic year. I came back just to put forward my feelings toward this place. I recently moved from Philly to Brooklyn and this was recommended by everyone’s favourite philly beer guy, Tom. He thought it would be right up my alley. It has none of the appeal of my favourite places, including Monks. *The staff - snotty and condescending. Completely unhelpful and unenthusiastic about beer. Know-it-alls that don’t know much at all. *The atmosphere - hipsters and yuppies sipping (mostly) wine. Small bar area, badly lit outdoor area with uncomfortable tables featuring ashtrays - but don’t try to smoke, you’ll get some rude remarks from neighboring tables. *Glassware - over-sized wine glasses only. When my bf requested a pint glass for his IPA, he was told that a beer of such high ABV couldn’t be served in a pint glass. Um, what? Whomever ticked proper glassware here, is telling jokes. *Selection - very very small and average if you ask me. Sure they have vintages, but it’s mostly crap that I wouldn’t drink if it were $20 cheaper (e.g., free). Hell, Mugs rivals their selection of vintages. No Belgians or even Belgian styles on draft. They have a selection of 6 or so cheeses, 3 meats and a pate - pick 3 for $15, served with artisanal bread. Quality eats, but still over-priced considering the tiny portions. I may give this place a second chance one day, but I’m much happier at Mugs or Gingerman.

5/28/2008 3:33:43 PM, wednesday, may 28, 2008
Nice little neighborhood bar in the Williamsburg area. Small-ish, but a nice atmosphere. Limited number of handles (6 or7), curiously with none devoted to Belgians on my visit. Nice selection of bottles, but I found the prices on the bottled stock to be several measures to high. Service was knowledgeable and attentive. Didn’t try the meat and cheese platter (went to Di Fara for Pizza), but the one I saw prepared looked damn fine. A fun little place.

3/20/2008 9:36:41 PM, thursday, march 20, 2008
This place is on and off. They have absolutely killer events, but their beer selection most of the other time isn’t too special. The cheese and meat plate is to die for, but thats about it in terms of what they have for food. Ambience is real nice and they get some rare bottles. Highly recommended, you just have to be here at the right time.

3/19/2008 1:50:39 PM, wednesday, march 19, 2008
I dont know why I didnt just go ahead and give this place a perfect rating. It’s amazing, and although the prices are a little high (they dont have liquor to balance the cost) the selection is incredible, and the service perfect. i love the glassware! Also, the wine list is totally respectable, making it a great date spot... for nerds

3/13/2008 5:33:12 AM, thursday, march 13, 2008
Excellent selection of beers, especially if you are living in the USA - lots of the best European beers available plus good selectio of American micros. Place itself is kind of rusty like One Pint Pub in Finland. Simple food (cheese, parma ham etc.), but tasty. Small, which may be problematic sometimes.

3/4/2008 9:02:36 AM, tuesday, march 04, 2008
Worth the trip out to Brooklyn. The beer selection wasn’t quite what I’d heard about, but still well beyond even the typical Belgian bar, and the meat and cheese plates are great. A little expensive, even for quality beer, but a cool place nonetheless.

3/2/2008 8:58:18 AM, sunday, march 02, 2008 [ Updated sunday, march 02, 2008 ]
Great music and atmosphere that is perfect in the middle of music central brooklyn. Great bottle and tap selection matched with good prices. Will have to go back often since the rare taps are incoming and always changing.

2/21/2008 3:00:54 PM, thursday, february 21, 2008
Not sure if this bar is really #2 in the US for 2007 bit it is a solid beer bar. Ok first the beers: small rotating draft selection, six I believe, and lots and lots and lots of bottles. the place: small and dirty that can become very crowded during winter events. the price: not cheap to rather expensive. Overall an above average spot for beers but far from one of my favorites.

2/19/2008 6:46:37 AM, tuesday, february 19, 2008
Great place, but overrated to a point. The hype is alive & well, that’s for sure. The beer list had a lot of gueuze, lambic, Cantillon bottles and the like, but didn’t range far from there compared to other places, such as d.b.a.. The draft list is limited too, largely because they don’t have that many taps. Still, they do an excellent job of making their choices count. The presentation & preparation of the meats & cheeses are more impressive than the meats & cheeses themselves, but still a very nice touch overall. Is it an exceptional beer bar? Sure. Will I go back? Of course, and I can’t wait to check out Fette Sau. But it still ranks behind d.b.a. if your criteria is pure beer selection. S.D. has a nice bar cat too.

2/5/2008 11:36:59 AM, tuesday, february 05, 2008
Definitely one of the best bars in the NYC area for selection. Always tends to get the extremely rare and unique brews and holds great events for all of us to meet at. Pretty convenient from trains. Not the biggest place but never too cramped. Friendly staff and good selection.