No Love for the Outer Boroughs?

It's not that we don't love you Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. You think that we beer lovers favor Manhattan. Not true. But biking to Blind Tiger? Piece of cake. Walk to Jimmy's No. 43? No problem. Even a sunny-day jaunt or bike ride over the Williamsburg Bridge isn't too painful (although the return can be problematic). But those late night N/R/F/7 trains (let's not even mention the Staten Island Ferry) can be harsh. But we love what you do and we encourage others to be adventurous every now and then. And locals: support your bars.

Good Beer Seal bar Sunswick is turning 6 tomorrow! They're located at 35-02 35th Street in Astoria and, given the time of the year, will have a draft list heavy on the holiday beers including:

• Géants Noël des Géants
• Kulmbacher Eisbock
• Ridgeway Seriously Bad Elf
• Ridgeway Reindeer Droppings
• Ridgeway Santa's Butt Porter
• Jenlain Noël

If you're not headed to the Blind Tiger for the Toys for Tots event, why not head to Sunswick? Or do both? It's a quick trip on the N/Q train. Happy birthday, Sunswick!

Toys for Tots Pints for Presents

When:  Thursday, 22 December, 6-10pm
Where:  Blind Tiger Ale House, 281 Bleecker St.

The fine folks at Lagunitas Brewing Company have gathered a few breweries together and organized a toy drive for Toys for Tots at the Blind Tiger. Bring a new, unwrapped present and you will get $2 off a draft of your choice from the participating breweries plus free entries into a special brewery raffle. We'll be participating with a keg of Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza; you can see the full list of beers here. Come out for a good cause - and good beer - and share some happiness with less fortunate kids this season.

Naughty & Nice with Ridgeway and Pretty Things

When:  Tuesday, 13 December, 7pm
Where:  Sunswick, 35-02 35th Street, Astoria
What:  pay-as-you-go

Holiday beer madness continues!  Our pals over at Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project came up with the idea of doing an event with 3 Christmas beers from the Ridgeway Brewery in England alongside 3 Pretty Things beers. Apparently, we're the "naughty" ones in this equation. That might be debatable but all of the beers tonight are "nice" so unless you indulge in one too many, you'll be dreaming of sugarplums.

The Ridgeway Christmas series famously started in the days of yore with Bad Elf, a hoppy winter warmer conjured up on a bar napkin over a few pints at the White Horse in London. Every year, the beers got stronger, the elves became worse (ok, so they're a bit naughty), and then we ran out of elf adjectives so we moved on to Santa and then to his reindeer. There will be one from each phase of the series.

little bombs of flavor, falling from the sky

The Ridgeway Beers:
Seriously Bad Elf - English interpretation of a Belgian tripel
Santa's Butt - winter porter
Reindeer Droppings - strong, hoppy amber ale

Mr. Jack D'Or himself

The Pretty Things Beers:
Jack D'Or - saison
Babayaga - export stout
Our Finest Regards - barleywine for the winter

City Swiggers Grand Opening Party

When:  Thursday, 8 December, 5-10 pm
Where:  City Swiggers, 320 E. 86th St.
What:  pay-as-you-go

Rejoice Upper East Siders and Beer Lovers! There is a new beer shop in town. Our friend Alan Rice has opened up an oasis of beer in the parched uptown desert. Drop by and welcome Alan and his wife Pam to the neighborhood, stick around for a pint, and enjoy some tasty vegan treats at their Grand Opening party. And why not pick up a few bottles while you're at it. Beer makes the perfect gift - even for yourself!

City Swiggers has a tasting room so you can hang out and drink beer while perusing the shelves. They also fill growlers (bring your own or pick up one there) although they will not be filling growlers during the party on Thursday.

Holiday Beers at Blind Tiger

When:  Wednesday, 7 December, 3 pm onwards
Where:  Blind Tiger Ale House, 281 Bleecker Street
What:  pay-as-you-go

If St. Nicholas didn't leave any gifts in your shoes today, or if he left you coal, dry your tears over a festive holiday beer tomorrow. There will be plenty of Shelton Brothers' drafts to choose from.

doesn't everyone have a Bavarian weissebier ornament?

To the list! 

• Mahr's Christmas Bock  
• De Ranke Père Noël  
• Nøgne Ø Winter Ale   
• Mikkeller Santa's Little Helper
• Mikkeller Ris a la M'ale
• Mikkeller From Via To
• Mikkeller Red/White Christmas  
• Dieu du Ciel! Solstice d'Hiver