Croxley Ales
NEW: Croxley Ale in Farmingdale opened their doors at 5 o'clock July 3, 2008.
www.croxley.com
Croxley Ales in Farmingdale
190 Main St.
Farmingdale, NY 11735
631-391-9500
International Ale House
129 New Hyde Park Rd., Franklin Square
516-326-9542
Great American Ale House
7-9 S. Park Ave., Rockville Centre
516-764-0470
Village Beer Garden
28 Avenue B, Manhattan, NY
212-253-6140
Owners: Jeff Piciullo and Chris Werle
Pioneers of imported and craft beer on Long Island. Large selection of draft and bottled beers in all their locations. Refuses to serve mega-swill.
Review: February 13, 2008
This last summer Mike, Rich, and I trekked out to Franklin Square to meet Bob. Croxley Ales "International Ale House" is Bob's local, so he was playing host that evening. I asked Bob, other than being close to his house and having 70 taps, what is so special about Croxley's? "The wings," said Bob.
Croxley Ales opened at this location in Franklin Square in August 1992 with just 18 taps. Their focus was on British-style ales which probably explains why their sign advertises "London" even though there doesn't appear to be a London location. Croxley's heart is in London perhaps. However, I would argue that if they are serious about the London label, they should at least offer a few cask conditioned ales.
My impression of this original (now expanded) location is that while it has large selection of beers, the target audience isn't the craft beer aficionado. What you'll find on tap are a lot of very good standards, the main beers of the craft beer revolution. What's missing are those few gems that make the beer geek want to travel great distances to get that one special thing. Croxley's comes across as primarily a sports bar.
Partners Jeff Piciullo and Chris Werle opened a second location,
Croxley Ales "Great American Ale House" in Rockville Center in 1994. This
pub had 56 taps and focused on American microbrews.
In 1997 Piciullo and Werle expanded their original location and expanded the tap count to 70.
Then in 1998 they launched Waterzooi, a Belgian bistro, in Garden City. In 2003 they tried to expand the idea of the Belgian beer bar with Waterzooi Petite Bistro in Rockville Center, but this location was short-lived and has since closed.
In 2000 they opened Victory Oyster Bar and Smoke House with 30 taps. This restaurant is next door to Waterzooi in Garden City.
You won't find mega-swill at a Croxley's location. They refuse to serve Bud, Miller, or Coors. If people want a beer that looks similar to these mass produced beverages, they can get a pint of Croxley Blonde brewed only for Croxley's by Brooklyn Brewery.
Directions: Croxley's in Farmingdale
Directions: International Ale House
You might need a car to get to this location. But the street parking is limited. I took the train to New Hyde Park. From there you can catch a cab for about $10. Or if the weather is nice and you feel like walking, it's around a mile straight south on New Hyde Park Road. The neighborhood doesn't look that bad, but if you are hoofing it, you might want to go during daylight.
Directions: Great American Ale House
Just south of the Sunrise Hwy (27) on South Park Ave, but I'd suggest going by train (if you can). It's on the Montauk line. Go to the Rockville Centre station. Go east on Front St, then south on South Park Ave.
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