the new croxley’s
by DonavanAnd I’m back! Wednesday I got a box back from the printer. The box contained the first print run of my magazine, The Angler. It’s a magazine for “drinkers, thinkers, and idlers.” If any of those descriptors fits you, then you may want to take a look. There’s also a fair amount in the magazine about fishing (my other passion). The arrival of this box has meant that I’ve been involved in the satisfying labor of stuffing and addressing envelops to send to the subscribers (and quaffing a few homebrews along the way too).
Last night, the Long Island Beer and Malt Enthusiasts converged on the new Croxley’s in Farmingdale. I arrived just after 7:30 and a group of Enthusiasts were already into their first round. I could see them long before I got to the front door because this Croxley’s is built on what could be described as the “open” plan. In the south, we called these places “cabanas”, basically a roof with no walls and in the center is a bar with a white-shirted, black bow-tied bartender handing out Coronas and lime. Not all them had thatched roofs, but if they weren’t right on the beach most would dump some sand nearby to complete the effect.
Croxley’s has achieved the cabana feel by installing a garage doors around the exterior of the place that can be raised to let in the fresh air from the outside as well as the sights and sounds of downtown Farmingdale.
I like the open design and the large standing room only drinking floor in front of the bar is a good idea too. If you want to sit there are plenty of tables for folks looking to eat some pub grub with their pints.
My only complaint about Croxley’s is that despite their (seemingly) large selection of craft beers (68 taps and as many bottles) there are very few interesting beers. What I mean by interesting beers is something unusual and high-end. The selection at Croxley’s is by-in-large pedestrian with all the usual “big” craft labels. You’ll find ten or fifteen different IPAs, but you are out of luck if you want a Gueuze. You’d think with 68 taps, at least one could feature something for the more adventurous palate. There wasn’t even a cask.
Basically, Croxley’s is a great place for the craft curious drinker to cut their teeth or to have a few jolly pints with their mates when beer isn’t the main focus. If you are looking for an adventure, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
August 29th, 2008 at 9:24 am
That’s a shame that they carry so many brews but so few unique ones.
I’ve only been to the Croxley’s in Manhatten and I wasn’t impressed. I prefer d.b.a. which is only a block or two away. They had a couple of cask ales from Sixpoint last time I was there.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
I count 16 beers I would order, 5 of which excited me to see. I was very happy with the food, I wish we had one out here, maybe they will have one soon enough (/me wishes). Certain things on their list I just can’t agree with - Stella, Dos Equis, Harp, Killians, Blue Moon, Leinenkugels. But the funny part is I bet they are probably their best sellers
/end beer snob moment
August 31st, 2008 at 2:09 am
While the Croxley Ales of Farmingdale, NY may resemble a good beer drinker’s paradise with training wheels, I am damn thankful that someone had the balls to put a great place together that openly declined to serve the local staples of what passes for good beer.
The newest Croxley Ales should be praised for raising the standard of beer service in an area that had been one of Long Island’s founding suburban communities.
Step back for a moment from the beer geek microscope of what the place serves and look how it fits in in the things beer geeks like to do on LI. This superb new place will never be the Spuyten Duyvil of LI, nor was its intent to be so, but it has few peers within a good radius. TJ Finely’s of Bayshore and Dr. Pete’s in Huntington are the only local places rivaling the Croxley Ales in the vicinity.
Beyond the Croxley’s interpreted lack of interesting beers is where the consumers, in an organized fashion, have the opportunity to make the changes in a place that seems to have at least opened the door to that possibility becoming reality.
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Rich is right here, guys. It’s all to easy for us to fall into the beer geek/snobbery.
Donavan is spoiled. He has DEKS, which serves a beer list that he’s largely responsible for, right up the street. But for my beer-loving friends out near Farmingdale, Croxley’s is a good option it seems.
I haven’t been yet, but I think I’m heading there on Sunday to watch football. Anyone else going?
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:45 pm
The essential point here is that there are lots of places, not just beer bars, that opt for quantity as their selling point (we’ve all seen the signs — “Over 800 Beers Here!”). If you are the kind of person that likes seeing 70 taps and is impressed by that, then fine. You’re in luck if you like IPAs or Stouts. The truth is that Croxley’s is a sports bar with some good beer. Nothing wrong with that. If you want a place to watch the game, then it’s a good choice. If you are looking for a great line-up of beers, however, look elsewhere.
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I think Donovan’s criticism had little to do with being a beer geek and was simply a warning to people who might otherwise go out of their way to visit an establishment to see “what’s new.” Clearly at Croxley’s, there is not much “new.” He clearly defined all the positive attributes about the establishment, while offering a very mild warning. Since I am not a local, it gave me some very valuable information should I ever come up for a visit.
While I would probably KILL for an establishment like this in my home town of “beerhell, USA” when I go out drinking with Donovan I hope he will take me someplace that does have a gueuze on, and not to Croxley’s.
September 3rd, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Thanks Matt! Beerhell, USA could definitely benefit from a Croxley’s. I’d certainly drink at Croxley’s on a regular basis if it were in our old stomping ground. I still have this romantic memory of the Leon Pub, smoke and all. Cheers!
September 3rd, 2008 at 4:28 pm
I would say the same as Matt, I would LOVE a Croxley’s close to my house! Anyplace that can offer me 16 beers that I am willing to order (not an easy task) I would be there quite often. Now I would have to disagree a little with the IPA and stout thing seeing as I am an IPA afficianado and a stout lover, I think their IPA list was shit (3 good ones saved mostly by Stone which wasn’t even on the menu), they had alot of IPA’s that are not … in the upper eschelon imo and the only stout they were offereing… well it wasn’t even a stout it was the gorilla warfare porter. Hell from most places I have been to on Long Island I am happy if I can find one beer that I am excited about, I am ecstatic if they have more than one! All these negative things and positives I would say Croxley’s is the nicest beer bar I have been to, I love my Bobbiques and DEKS but if they were all the same distance I would go to Croxley’s the most… how can you top good beers and 10 cent wings on Monday and Wednesday nights! You all can have your geuze’s on tap I was more upset not to see DIPA’s or RIS’s! Just a last thought? Does it make me not a beer connoisseur because I like IPA DIPA ris and rye beers best? Don’t get me wrong place Brooklyn Grand Cru on tap and I will be all over it!