Guinness Week Part III: Pete's Ale House

At St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin, barley, hops, yeast, and water are brewed together to make Guinness. This Sunday, over 13 million pints will be consumed, and as St. Patrick's Day approaches, we thought we'd devote the entire week to the beautiful elixir. So tag along as we uncover five of our favorite places to get a perfect pour.

The appreciation for Guinness reaches all corners of the globe, but it's important to note the regional differences that exist in the beverage. Irish Guinness is brewed to 6% alcohol by volume and remains unpasteurized. In the states, the two most significant differences are 1) It's lower in alcohol and 2) It's pasteurized. To allow for export, Guinness sold to North America is brewed to 3.5% and then pasteurized to ensure stability on the journey across the Atlantic.

After the malted beverage arrives, it falls into the hands (and glasses) of some of the city's finest bars, pubs, and watering holes. At these locales, glassware, the pour (always in two runs), storage temperature, and the cleanliness of tap lines all play a role in what ends up in your glass. After Friday, we will have only scratched the surface, but if you happen to make it to any of our favorites Sunday or anytime after, your pour will be in good hands.

Sam Barbieri opened Pete's Waterfront Ale House in the early 90s. He went to the Culinary Institute, so in addition to the 20 beers available on tap, the menu has a solid lineup of pub favorites, i.e. chicken wings, nachos, and fish & chips. For some good game grub to go with a well-poured pint of Guinness ($6.50), opt for the elk burger or a crock of smoky, venison chili.

Pete's Ale House uses nonic glasses opposed to the classic 'tulip.' The name comes from "no nick," which, due to the glass's design, makes a stronger structure that's less likely to chip or nick. In addition to keeping the glasses from sticking together when stacked, the bump happens to leave a perfect spot above it for the smooth, frothy head to sit in all it's glory. The pour is rich and dark, with hints of caramel and molasses making it a solid, lip-smakcing pint in Kings County.

Pete's Waterfront Ale House | 155 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn | 718-522-3794 | www | map

Part II - Swift Hibernian Lounge

Part I - An Beal Bocht Cafe