Drinking Up New York, For Real. Brooklyn Bar Serves Only Spirits Made in New York State
Steps from NYC's Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn is Cardiff Giant, a small watering hole that offers only New York spirits. If you want to imbibe a little Brooklyn with local Brooklynites, order a rocks glass of Kings County Peated Bourbon. If you want your palate to travel a bit further Upstate, partake in a Finger Lakes Riesling or nurse a tumbler of Catskill Provisions Honey Whiskey. Cardiff Giant maintains its singular nature even though it was launched by the accomplished Wiley Brothers (Bar Great Harry, Glorietta Baldy, Mission Dolores, The Owl Farm) along with managing partner Steven Baird (The Owl Farm). In near future I hope to summon my Long Island-based / Manhattan-daily-bound cousin to convene at Cardiff Giant for some end-of-day beverage research. For sure, in celebration of my being born in Queens, NY, I shall consume a draft from the Rockaways. But, I'm strategically considering starting strong by throwing back a shot of Black Dirt Bourbon. This shall be an auspicious pairing for the latter is distilled near my upstate retreat in the Hudson Valley. With a reverential nod to our youth, cousin and I will tap a can of Genesee while recalling the good old days. This was one of the few "local" beers widely available in New York back in the day--the 70s, when Gennies went down easy no matter the music playing. It's amazing how much the craft beer, wine and spirits business has grown since our salad days. Cardiff Giant reminds us how far we've come from having too few choices, to, now, almost too many.
Go check out Cardiff Giant. Embrace the "I can make it there" New York spirit in all of us. Experience the eclectic wonder of immigrant central, The Big Apple. Have a drink, or two, and toast the taste of a free and open homegrown culture.
Copyright 2017 Paul E McGinniss
