Yes, I had brunch at Bierkraft
And no, it wasn't banana bread beer.
I haven't seen anyone mention this -- I believe it's a fairly recent phenomenon -- but Bierkraft now has an eat-in area where the register used to be. That's right, you can now enjoy any of the store's delicious meats and cheeses in a sandwich, on the spot. The best part? As of last week, you can now enjoy that sandwich with a beer! (Maybe that seems like a no-brainer, but I wouldn't be surprised if this involved some of expensive or complicated licensing procedure.)
More info: The sandwich menu offers half a dozen suggested combinations, but the bottom line is that you can customize it from scratch, using your choice of one meat, one cheese, and unlimited additional sandwich components (veggies & condiments). Every sandwich is made fresh to order and costs $9. I'm something of a cheapskate, but considering the freshness and quality of the ingredients, including the bread, and the generosity of selection, I was very pleased with the value. Oh, and each sandwich comes with a free small bag of Zapp's chips or a piece of fruit.
By way of illustration, I had a great sandwich involving house-roasted mustard-rub wagyu roast beef with some great cheese (blanking on the name now) that smelled like a barn, and arugula, roasted red peppers, homemade sauerkraut, and locally-sourced garlic / ginger chutney. My companion had a sandwich called "The Butt is Back" -- need I say more? -- also delicious.
I remember a few months back a couple of people voiced concern about the increasing availability of microbrews in regular Slope grocery stores, and how this might affect Bierkraft's deserved dominance of the beer retail niche. This development has gone a long way to allaying my concerns in this respect. Good stuff. Give it a visit.
I haven't seen anyone mention this -- I believe it's a fairly recent phenomenon -- but Bierkraft now has an eat-in area where the register used to be. That's right, you can now enjoy any of the store's delicious meats and cheeses in a sandwich, on the spot. The best part? As of last week, you can now enjoy that sandwich with a beer! (Maybe that seems like a no-brainer, but I wouldn't be surprised if this involved some of expensive or complicated licensing procedure.)
More info: The sandwich menu offers half a dozen suggested combinations, but the bottom line is that you can customize it from scratch, using your choice of one meat, one cheese, and unlimited additional sandwich components (veggies & condiments). Every sandwich is made fresh to order and costs $9. I'm something of a cheapskate, but considering the freshness and quality of the ingredients, including the bread, and the generosity of selection, I was very pleased with the value. Oh, and each sandwich comes with a free small bag of Zapp's chips or a piece of fruit.
By way of illustration, I had a great sandwich involving house-roasted mustard-rub wagyu roast beef with some great cheese (blanking on the name now) that smelled like a barn, and arugula, roasted red peppers, homemade sauerkraut, and locally-sourced garlic / ginger chutney. My companion had a sandwich called "The Butt is Back" -- need I say more? -- also delicious.
I remember a few months back a couple of people voiced concern about the increasing availability of microbrews in regular Slope grocery stores, and how this might affect Bierkraft's deserved dominance of the beer retail niche. This development has gone a long way to allaying my concerns in this respect. Good stuff. Give it a visit.
Comments
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Always a Bierkraft fan but I don't like the changeover to an eatery. The tables take up a lot of space and selling sandwiches has slowed down the check out process considerably. The place also seems dirtier now like it's decayed over the years since the place opened. Still the best place to get a growler and specific beers by the bottle though even if a lot of bodegas and supermarkets have infringed on their turf.
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Those sandwiches (especially the waygu beef with a very sharp cheddar) are dee-fuckin-licious.
There are other growler choices but Bierkraft has the best selection. Grab is pretty good and they have a buy 12 get 1 for a $1 offer which is nice. I haven't been to the beer distributors on Washington and Bergen(?) in Prospect Heights but there was a write-up in this week's Time Out. If I'm on Court I'll go to that beer distributor across from the Cobble Hill Cinema...all of their growlers are $10. -
those are *great* sandwiches -- you get your choice of all the fancy cheese they stock!
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to the beer drinking crowd that doesn't like the switch to part eatery at Bierkraft, just know they intend to SERVE beer eventually. They have been waiting for their license for a few months now, but will serve pints and pitchers I believe. Now that is something to drink to.
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agree that they've devoted way too much space to the tables.
it has always taken forever to check out at the one register, but now the line is just backed up in front of the cheese counter and sometimes in front of the cask beers.
if they are going to turn into a bar then that is going to be even more of a bummer. there are so many bars where you can get great beer on tap - why not just focus on being a store and doing it well? -
joehill wrote: why not just focus on being a store and doing it well?
Making sandwiches seems like a great idea to me -- and useful for keeping Bierkraft's beer side in business. I'm glad they got rid of the dusty dry goods that nobody wanted to buy anyway.
I get great cheese at the PS Food Coop, but I'm glad to get a good sandwich, and love LOVE growlers for having folks over.
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"why not just focus on being a store and doing it well?"
Maybe because businesses focus on bottom lines and other inane things and sometimes add more sources of income to achieve that? Dunno.
I'm all for places that serve great quality sandwiches and beer. BRING IT ON. -
making sandwiches is one thing, they have done that for a while before reconfiguring the store. cramming a restaurant/bar stuck on the side of the store just seems like a bad idea, especially when it already takes forever to check out.
since the co-op has stepped up their beer ordering over the past year, i don't really buy bottles at bierkraft, just fill up growlers. -
Why not open a store AND a bar...I think they could make that work financially (those growlers and sandwiches aren't exactly cheap).
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Great news 'cause great sandwich makin' places make for great neighborhoods ;-)
Will get my first this weekend! -
serrano ham, gruyere, fig paste, sourdough baguette
just sayin' -
I've tried almost everyone of their suggested sandwiches. All of them were good BUT the Italian sandwich is divine. I mean it's just a perfect balance of meat, cheese and greens in oil and vinegar dressing. Absolutely worth the price (in fact I'd say it's even better than 5th Ave Market's version). check out their website for the list!
My only annoyance and this really gets me! Is that they stopped selling bread. They used to carry Sullivan St. Bakery bread from Manhattan. Some of the finest bread, so good! Now it's only used for the sandwich orders they WILL NOT let you buy a loaf anymore.. it sucks! -
turkey, arugula, extra honey mustard. perfect. i hate the wait, though. it takes FOREVER to get a sandwich and i only go if i have a lot of time on my hands.
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Found their sandwich menu online; it's worth reviewing, but not on an empty stomach: http://bierkraft.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=13
(Don't know how to make URLs look classy in posts. If at all possible.) -
Speaking of the bread, what choices do you get for the sandwiches? It doesn't say on the menu.
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Just went today, talked with the folks there and they ARE now allowing you to drink beer at the tables. They don't have taps setup yet (the growler taps are not to be used for pints), but you can grab a bottle or can and plop down with a sandwich and enjoy yourself. I think it's a great addition, and to some points above, it's all about the bottom line. If it gets someone into the space to taste a few beers, then buy more to bring home then it is a very very worthwhile addition for them. If it means you have a little more crowded space while shopping then so be it, small sacrifice to make.
Also, while waiting for my sandwich (which took all of 2 minutes to make) I sampled some chocolate brownies (made in house) that have brown beer in them for some added richness. Can't wait to try to make these at home.
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