Strong Rope Brewing, May 4 2018

Brooklyn is always one of my favorite places to visit. The vibe. The food. The coffee. The cocktails. The beer. Not to mention, two of my best friends, Ted and Raf, live there. Every visit includes exploring a new spot - more often than not a brewery or bar. It's not like I'm dragging them along - they go willingly, even participate in finding our next adventure.

On a recent visit, Ted mentioned Strong Rope Brewing. It was on our walk home from dinner, so we decided to check it out. Ted navigated the way. We looked like tourists - iPhone out in front of us, the glow of the screen lighting the way. Raf and I chatted as we walked, when all of a sudden Ted said "we're here." I look around, wondering where here was. He meant at Strong Rope - we had walked right past it.

Walking in though, I knew why we passed it - the inconspicuous entrance tips you off that it's the quintessential neighborhood spot. Chill. A mix of regulars and newbies. No crowd. No fuss. Just a beautiful piece of wood acting as the bar, serving the beers you imagine drinking while chatting with friends.