This article is for the fans of outdoor drinking – hopefully that is everyone because in my mind nothing is better than cracking a beer in the open air. Beer gardens, rooftops, parking lot tailgates, parks – it is the good life.

If you’re in the New York City area, head to lower Manhattan’s Stone Street. What was once a trash-filled alley is now a booming late-night social scene, transformed in the years following the World Trade Center attack, which took place only blocks.

The cobblestone street is closed to traffic and lined with numerous pubs, bars and restaurants that have plenty of outdoor seating, giving the entire street the atmosphere of a beer garden when the sun goes down and the tables fill up.

On Friday, September 4th and Friday, September 11th from 5:00 to 6:30PM, Ulysses’ bar is celebrating the limited edition Guinness 250th Anniversary Brew – this means smokin’ hot Guinness models serving (cheap) ice cold drafts and giving away prizes.

Is there a better excuse to head down to Stone Street than that? I think not…

Also, keep in mind that Stone Street has been a central location in lower Manhattan since it’s development by the Dutch in the 1640’s – so while you’re throwing back that those Guinness drafts at Ulysses’ bar take a second to appreciate the history around you.

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After cracking a refreshing can of Guinness, most of you have probably wondered, What is the deal with the little plastic ball floating around in cans of Guinness? Well, today you get your answer.

The little plastic ball called a “Widget” was first patented by the Guinness company years ago to add the right kind of head on their thick and creamy stout, which is less fizzy than regular lager beers like Bud Light.

When Guinness is canned the brewers add a shot of liquid nitrogen to help pressurize the can.  (more…)

Usually relegated to wing-man status – it’s commonly known as the “tan” portion of the bar-favorite “Black and Tan” – Harp Lager deserves to be let loose and given the full review treatment.

Harp Lager could be considered a “middle-class working man’s” beer, with its dignified bottle and white-collar taste. Straw-yellow in color, Harp pours nicely with a fluffy head, thick in appearance. So far, so good…

…And then mediocrity sets in.

The taste is crisp in the mouth, with a neutral flavor of malt hops. The high-level of carbonation is leveled off with a slightly “watery” feel that does indeed give the beer an easy-to-swallow taste – even if that taste isn’t very strong.

The scent of Harp is muddled, coming off like any random beer you smell in Anybar, USA. Nothing extraordinary, but nothing off-putting either.

With extra-special brews available on all four corners of the Earth it’s no wonder that Harp gets harped on for being a bit dull. With that said, the vast majority of micro-brews are far more pricey and delicate: Harp is perfectly suited for a quiet, warm pub in the dead of winter. Kicking back with the dudes over a few packs is a sure thing – just be sure to bring some Guinness along for some classic Black and Tans if you want to go quality.

Harp Lager: forever the wing-man, never the main attraction.

Harp Lager stats

Tastes like: a third-wheel

Smells like: your average beer scent (malt hops galore)

Alcohol content: a tad low; bring a few packs in tow for maximum wastedness