As beer-loving Brooklynites, it’s a complete mystery how we didn’t discover Coney Island Brewery until this April. (Seriously, how did this take a whopping five years of New York City living?!) Nevertheless, we’ve been happily sipping on their brews all summer long.
As summer draws to a close — although the weather gods may beg to differ — it turns out that the fall season is moving full speed ahead at Coney Island Brewery. They’ve got a stellar lineup of specialty beers coming your way during their annual Freak Week, which runs from September 17-22, 2018.
So what’s the deal with these new brews? And how can you join in on all of the fun? Here’s the 411 on everything you need to know about Coney Island Brewery’s 2018 Freak Week.
What is Freak Week 2018?
Coney Island Brewery is “keeping New York weird” (as if it isn’t weird enough already with pizza rats and all manner of crazy on the subway — sorry, I digress) for the fifth year in a row with Freak Week, which runs from September 17-22.
You can “celebrate all things freak” with Coney Island Brewery by enjoying their three new specialty beers, which will be available on-tap at the brewery and in select bars and restaurants around the city (more details below).
Can’t make it during the week? No problem! The limited release beers will be available in cans at Coney Island Brewery during Freak Week’s culminating event — the brewery’s annual Freaktoberfest celebration — on September 22!
Photo courtesy of Coney Island Brewery
What Are Coney Island Brewery’s 2018 Freak Week Beers?
I’m not gonna lie, I’m pretty excited about the three awesome specialty beers you can try during Freak Week. They are:
- Super Freak (ABV 9.1%, holy cow) — Inspired by Coney’s traditional fall seasonal, Freaktoberfest, but kicked up to the next level. Deep amber ale brewed with Café Grumpy Cold Brew coffee, as well as pumpkin, lemon peel, nutmeg and allspice.
- Blueberry Boo-Liner (ABV 5.5%) — Kettle-soured Berliner Weisse, brewed with marshmallow creme and lactose, aged on blueberry puree.
- Count Flocula (ABV 5.5%) — Kölsch-style beer brewed with marshmallow creme and lactose, aged on cocoa nibs.
Just as we don’t want summer to be over, Super Freak offers a refreshing, citrusy twist on fall flavors — like a perfect drink for an endless summer.
As a huge lover of Coney Island Brewery’s Cinnamon Kölsch (I mean, it tastes like part of a balanced boozy breakfast), I’m excited to see what these other beers with cereal-inspired ingredients will taste like, too.
Given the excitement around Cinnamon Toast Kölsch, which we brewed earlier this spring, we decided to extend the cereal series into Freak Week this year,” said Head Brewer Matt McCall. “Both Count Flocula and Blueberry Boo-Liner use cereal-inspired ingredients, like biscuit malt and lactose, to really play into the theme of off-centered innovation!”
If you didn’t have enough reasons to check out Freak Week already, two of the beers on tap feature a collaboration between Coney Island Brewery and Café Grumpy — a true Brooklyn match made in heaven.
Specialty beer Super Freak is brewed with Café Grumpy’s Rwandan roast, Nyrarusiza, and Freaktoberfest Big Ol’ Pumpkin Ale is made with Café Grumpy’s Heartbreaker signature espresso blend. You’ll have a chance to sip on fall favorite Freaktoberfest Big Ol’ Pumpkin Ale alongside the three other specialty beers during Freak Week!
Coney Island Brewery Freak Week 2018 Events
Photo courtesy of Coney Island Brewery
Want to try any of these Freak Week specialty beers? (Of course you do! You’re a devoted, Oktoberfest-loving beer connoisseur!) Join Coney Island Brewery at the following events:
- Wednesday, September 19
- Tap Takeover event at Abbey Tavern in Manhattan (3rd Ave & E 26th St), 7:00-9:00 PM
- Tap Takeover event at Superfine in Brooklyn, 6:30-9:00 PM. Featuring a photo booth, caricature artists, a Coney Island Freak Show and a raffle for a cruiser bike.
- Thursday, September 20
- Tap Takeover event at Five Mile Stone in Manhattan (2nd Ave & E 85th St), 6:00-8:00 PM
- Saturday, September 22
- Freaktoberfest at Coney Island Brewery, 12:00-3:00 PM
Freaktoberfest, Coney Island Brewery’s annual fall bash, promises fantastic fall vibes for your inner beer freak. Test your arm strength during their stein-hoisting competition (who knew that beer and exercise could align so well?), or get in the Halloween spirit early with a spooky screening of Dracula in the beer garden.
Check out the map below to see which event(s) are closest to you! You can zoom in or out to find all four pinned locations.
But Wait, What About Coney Island Brewery’s Regular Brews?
Photo courtesy of Coney Island Brewery
Don’t worry, Coney Island Brewery’s most popular beers aren’t ghosting you. Their year-round styles — Mermaid Pilsner, Merman NY IPA, and Coney Island Lager — are still available to taste, both at the brewery (consider taking a free brewery tour) and elsewhere.
Discover where to grab these brews by checking Coney Island Brewery’s handy-dandy beer finder here!
Coney Island Brewery: Practical Info
Address: 1904 Surf Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11224
Phone: (718) 996-0019
Website: http://coneyislandbeer.com
How To Get To Coney Island Brewery: Check out my post on Coney Island Brewery, which includes directions on how to get to this freakin’ awesome brewery!
Essential Info:
Where should you stay in New York City? Check out all options here.
Want a guidebook for New York City? I recommend this guidebook.
What is it like to visit Coney Island Brewery? Read my post on it here.
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Photo credit for all images in this post goes to Coney Island Brewery. Images were reprinted with permission from Coney Island Brewery.