Checkpoint Foxtrot: NYC

On the top deck of the Verrazanno Bridge, we looked across the Upper Bay. There was Lady Liberty, cast in her signature bluish-green hue, next to the Manhattan skyline. In front of us was the massive sprawl called Brooklyn. We jockeyed through traffic with the greatest of tension, and after a few erratic drivers, and fearless pedestrians (Hey, I'm walkin' here! I'm walkin' here), we arrived safely at our destination. We fastidiously stored the kegs and jockeybox for the rehearsal dinner, and set out on a celebratory meal. We walked through the streets of Brooklyn with a native like swagger, and headed down into the subway system. The Q train blew past us like a yellow blur, and squealed to a stop. We boarded as if we belonged, and rode the click-clacking rails over the East River and into Manhattan. Two stops and a transfer later we arose from the undercarriage of the streets of New York to the heart of it all. With the Flatiron Building to our left and Madison Square Park to our right, we stared directly into, the Lego store! (Oh wait, a little bit to the right) Eataly! Where their rooftop brewpub, "Birreria" and its cask ales awaited us. We entered the 5th Avenue doorway, and right away, the sights and aromas bustled with the feel of an Italian marketplace. Mangia and Bevi was all I could think as we passed the espresso and gelato bars, and glided through the pasta and produce section to a back corner elevator that took us up to the rooftop. The space was cool and open, with the city's warm and welcoming night lights overhead. Wooden casks lined up behind the bar, and offered up "Gaia" a Saison, "Sofia" a Witbier with peppercorns and coriander, and "Gina" an American Pale with thyme. We tasted them all. On their own, each had a unique flavor, but all had less carbonation than the commercial counterparts that I've grown to expect. The Gina had a forward flavor of thyme that took over the beer, but when the "Piatto Misto," (a collection of housemade sausages and other pork delights) came to the table, well, all bets were off. The body of the beer, and thyme flavor cut through the pork like a scalding hot knife through room temperature lard, and after a few bites of the platter, I reflexively ordered another, and then another. Amazing flavor combinations! Soon we were all satiated on sausage and suds, and headed back for some much needed rest. Even with our trek taking us over 1,000 miles, with various stops along the way, we still needed to prepare and serve our goods for the rehearsal dinner. Not to mention, trek the  1,000 miles back home afterwards. So, good night for now.