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Think while you drink

By Stefanie Arck | Special to amNewYork

September 1, 2006

Drinking events are not always all about chugging and guzzling. For the knowledge-thirsty crowd, here are a few outlets that take a thinking approach to drinking, imbuing your imbibing with a bit of historical context. Learn about the history of some local pubs, take a road trip to Coney Island or find out how beer is made, all while getting your buzz on.

Murphguide.com Cyclones trip
If you've been meaning to take a trip to Coney Island all summer, here's your excuse. Murphguide.com, a site that's been gathering information on the city's bar culture since the '90s, is organizing a beer and baseball trip to see the Coney Island Cyclones. Twenty dollars gets you a ticket to the Sept. 7 game against the Vermont Lake Monsters, a pre-game BBQ and beer party at Peggy O'Neill's, and post-game drinking at Peg's place, too. So get on that Q train. Check out the site for more info, www.murphguide.com

South Street Seaport Museum

A museum may seem an odd choice for a drinking extravaganza, but this fall you can "T.A.P." into a whole new way of drinking and learning. T.A.P., an acronym for Tour and Pub, is the name of the South Street Seaport Museum's fall series devoted to exploring the city's storied drinking holes. Two of the museum's staffers will take you to a local pub, such as P.J. Clarke's or the Oyster Bar, where you will get a one-hour lesson on the history of the location, including stories about famed imbibers. And, of course, you can enjoy drinks while you listen. The admission price for one T.A.P. event is $35 for members and $45 for non-members, and includes two drinks. You can also purchase the entire series for $119 (member) or $153 (non-member.) For reservations call 212-748-8786 or e-mail reservations@southstseaport.org.

Brooklyn Brewery
If you've ever wondered what makes beer taste so great, take the L train to the first stop in Brooklyn and learn all about brewing at Williamsburg mainstay, the Brooklyn Brewery. Every Saturday, the Brewery holds free half-hour tours on the hour between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. When you've finished your tour, head to the Brewery bar and enjoy $3 beers. You can even make a whole day of it by kicking back until 5 p.m. with one of eight beers on tap, shooting some pool and bringing or ordering food in.
Brooklyn Brewery
1 Brewers Row, 79 North 11th St.
Williamsburg
718-486-7422