Manhattan Special

Photograph: Jolie Ruben

Tired of precious cocktail lounges? Then sip your Manhattan at a pub. Brooklyn Brewery’s latest reserve beer, Manhattan Project, replicates the hallmark flavors of what is arguably the most classic of drinks, the Manhattan. Brooklyn brewmaster Garrett Oliver orchestrated the crafty mimicry with input from mix master David Wondrich. “He introduced me to the Manhattan,” Oliver says. “It became my favorite mixed drink.” To replicate the taste, he used 30-percent rye in the beer mash and aged it in Rittenhouse rye barrels. Botanicals conjure the nuances of vermouth and bitters—cinnamon, nutmeg, bitter orange peel, sweet orange peel, lemon peel, organic cherry juice and vanilla bean in the kettle, plus post-fermentation infusions of gentian root and cloves. The first sip reveals bourbon’s smooth personality, alongside a spicy rye bite. A rich sweetness lingers, but—like a well-executed Manhattan—it’s never cloying. And at 8.5% ABV, it packs plenty of umph, just like the real thing. Manhattan Project is a limited release. For a sure sip, hit Brooklyn Brewery ($4 for 12 ounces; 79 North 11th St between Berry St and Wythe Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-486-7422), or try beer-friendly bars like Mugs Alehouse ($7 for 20 ounces; 125 Bedford Ave at North 10th St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-486-8232).

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