Best Places To Buy Craft Beer: A Guide

He'Brew beer is a product of the Shmaltz Brewing Company, founded in San Francisco in 1996 by Jeremy Cowan. The company is now headquartered in Troy, New York, and its beers are sold across the U.S. East Coast and select other U.S. markets. The company's name refers to shmaltz, a type of cooking fat frequently associated with Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine. Its He'Brew and related lines nod to Jewish tradition in humorous ways, with taglines like The Chosen Beer and Don't Pass Out, Passover. He'Brew beers can be purchased at the Shmaltz tasting room in Troy, New York, or delivered to your door in New York State.

He'Brew beer in New York

HeBrew Beer, also known as Shmaltz Brewing Company, is a craft beer company based in New York. Their beers are available for purchase at various specialty beer stores and distributors across the state. Here are some places where you can find HeBrew Beer in New York, specifically in New York City (NYC):

Top Hops Beer Shop

Located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, Top Hops Beer Shop offers over 600 varieties of beer available for purchase, including a range of American, German, Belgian, and Scandinavian labels. They also feature a tasting bar and host beer-centric events such as brewmaster visits and book signings. Top Hops is open until 2 am on Friday and Saturday nights, catering to late-night cravings.

New Beer Distributors

This no-frills warehouse space in the Lower East Side offers a wide selection of beers at competitive prices due to its lack of air conditioning. You can curate your own six-pack or even purchase a whole keg. New Beer Distributors carries labels like Baxter Brewing Co. and Anderson Valley, among others.

Astor Place Store

Run by the founders of Astoria Bier and Cheese, this store in Astor Place carries favourite brews, including Evil Twin and Finback. They also have 10 beers on tap available for growler refills. You can also find a carefully curated selection of snacks and cheeses to pair with your beer.

Alphabet City Beer Co.

Located in the East Village, Alphabet City Beer Co. offers 12 beers on tap and over 350 brews in bottles. They also have a meat and cheese counter, fresh bread, and groceries, making it a one-stop shop for all your needs. You can sample local brews like their Easy Blonde or Bronx Brewery's Say Hey saison in their cavernous shop/bar/restaurant.

Triboro Beverage

Located in Astoria, Queens, Triboro Beverage is a family-owned business dating back to 1936. They carry over 500 different beers, and if they don't have what you're looking for, they are usually happy to order it for you. Be sure to say hello to Gento, the friendly canine mascot, on your way out.

These are just a few of the many places in New York City where you can find HeBrew Beer. Be sure to check out specialty beer stores and distributors to discover more options and explore the diverse craft beer scene that NYC has to offer!

He'Brew beer in California

He'Brew Beer, also known as Shmaltz Brewing Company, is a craft beer company that was established in San Francisco, California, in 1996. The company creates a range of beers, including ales, lagers, and stouts, with names and branding inspired by Jewish culture and traditions.

In California, He'Brew Beer can be found at various retailers, bars, and restaurants. Here are some specific places where you can enjoy He'Brew Beer:

• Sante Adairius Rustic Ales in Capitola, California: This brewery and taproom offer a range of unique beers, including saisons and wild ales. They have multiple locations in California, so be sure to check that you're visiting the correct one.
• Woodhouse Blending and Brewing in Santa Cruz, California: This brewery specializes in blending and brewing unique beers, and they have a taproom where you can enjoy their creations.
• El Cerrito Market & Liquor in Corona, California: This store offers a wide selection of beers, and you can find He'Brew Beer here.
• SideDoor in Corona Del Mar, California: This restaurant and bar offer a variety of beers, and you may find He'Brew Beer on their menu.
• Various Bars and Restaurants: He'Brew Beer is likely available at other bars and restaurants throughout California, especially in major cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. It's always a good idea to call ahead or check the menu online to ensure they have He'Brew Beer available.

Additionally, if you're interested in visiting breweries and trying different beers, California has a thriving craft beer scene with many notable breweries:

• Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Chico, California: This well-known brewery offers tours and tastings, and it's a popular destination for beer enthusiasts.
• Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa, California: They are known for their highly-rated beers, including Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger.
• AleSmith Brewing Company in San Diego, California: Creators of the award-winning Speedway Stout, a popular Russian Imperial Stout.
• Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma, California: A family-friendly brewery with a diverse range of beers and a fun atmosphere.
• North Coast Brewing Company in Fort Bragg, California: They offer a variety of beers, including their well-known Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout.

These are just a few highlights, but California has a vast number of breweries and beer destinations to explore, so you're sure to find many options to enjoy He'Brew Beer and other craft beers throughout the state.

He'Brew beer at the White House

He'Brew Beer, the flagship brand of the Shmaltz Brewing Company, has had an interesting journey to the White House. The company, founded in 1996 in San Francisco, California, by Jeremy Cowan, began as a Hanukkah experiment inspired by ingredients mentioned in the Old Testament. The initial He'Brew Beer was distributed out of the trunk of Cowan's grandmother's Volvo in the San Francisco Bay Area.

In 2011, President Barack Obama became the first president to brew beer in the White House. He purchased a homebrewing kit with personal funds and brewed a honey ale, honey porter, and honey brown, using honey from beehives on the South Lawn. The White House chefs used traditional methods to brew the beer, which was bottled and labelled with a customised logo featuring a line drawing of the White House on a maroon background encircled in yellow.

While there is no record of He'Brew Beer being served at the White House during President Obama's tenure, the company's unique and humorous approach to brewing, with a focus on Jewish tradition and culture, has gained it notoriety and a robust following.

In 2022, 26 years after its founding, Shmaltz Brewing Company was acquired by Jesse Epstein, a 26-year-old Reform rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College. Epstein, who first got into home brewing during the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to use the He'Brew brand to rethink the synagogue and create Jewish communal gathering spaces.

Under Epstein's ownership, the company plans to host a series of pop-up events in partnership with various Jewish groups, with attendees engaging in community-building, justice-oriented activities, and text studies over a pint of beer. While the initial events will rely on Shmaltz's existing inventory, Epstein hopes to eventually brew his own selections, with plans for a Purim-themed beer named "Shushan Beer-a" and beers inspired by each of the weekly Torah portions.

With He'Brew Beer's unique brand and Epstein's vision for creating Jewish communal spaces, it is possible that the beer could make an appearance at the White House in the future, served by a president who appreciates the brand's story and its connection to Jewish culture and tradition.

He'Brew beer on TV

He'Brew beer is the flagship brand of the Shmaltz Brewing Company, a craft brewing company headquartered in Troy, New York. The company was founded in 1996 by Jeremy Cowan, who sold it in 2022 to Jesse Epstein, a rabbinical student.

The company's name refers to shmaltz, a type of cooking fat frequently associated with Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine. Its He'Brew and related lines refer to Jewish tradition in humorous, punning, and tongue-in-cheek ways, such as the "Chosen Beer" slogan, which playfully opposes the slogans of large industrial breweries.

He'Brew beer has been featured on TV in several instances. In 2017, Shmaltz Brewing Company began releasing a series of Star Trek-themed beers, distributed throughout its sales network. The beers included Star Trek 50: The Trouble With Tribbles, Star Trek Golden Anniversary Ale: Voyage To The Northeast Quadrant, and Captain's Holiday. The company also released Deep Space Nine 25th Anniversary Ale: Profit Motive, a Star Trek-themed beer, in collaboration with another brewery.

In addition to the Star Trek collaboration, Shmaltz Brewing Company has also been featured on TV through its other brands and partnerships. In 2010, the company's Coney Island Craft Lagers brand was awarded "Best Craft Brewer" and "Best in Show" at Beverage World Magazine's BevStar Awards. The following year, the Coney Island Brewing Company's brewery, the smallest commercial brewery by volume in the world, was certified by the World Records Academy. This generated significant media attention and likely resulted in TV coverage.

Furthermore, the founder and former owner of Shmaltz Brewing Company, Jeremy Cowan, has made several TV appearances to promote the company and its brands. He has been a panelist and keynote speaker at the Craft Brewers Conference and has presented at the Great American Beer Festival. Cowan also authored a memoir, "Craft Beer Bar Mitzvah," which chronicles the evolution of He'Brew Beer from a joke among friends to a nationally distributed craft beer brand. The memoir's release in 2010 likely included TV coverage and interviews with Cowan.

While the company's current focus is on pop-up events and community-building rather than widespread distribution, He'Brew beer has had a notable presence on TV through its branded collaborations and the efforts of its founder to promote the company and its unique brand identity.

He'Brew beer and social justice

He'Brew beer is a flagship brand of the Shmaltz Brewing Company, an American craft brewing company headquartered in Troy, New York. The company was founded in 1996 by Jeremy Cowan, who established the brand after an experiment with friends to create a brew inspired by ingredients mentioned in the Old Testament. The company's name refers to shmaltz, a type of cooking fat frequently associated with Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine, and its He'Brew line playfully nods to Jewish tradition.

In 2022, Jesse Epstein, a 26-year-old Reform rabbinical student, purchased the company from Cowan. Epstein aims to use the brand to rethink the synagogue and explore how Jewish values can inform food practices. Under his ownership, the company will host a series of pop-up events in partnership with various Jewish groups, where attendees can "build community, do justice, look at a text, but over a pint of beer."

While Epstein's vision for the company focuses on Jewish communal gathering and ritual, there is also an emphasis on social justice. In 2020, Shmaltz Brewing collaborated with Moustache Brewing to release the She'Brew #RBG IPA, a tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. A portion of the profits from this beer went to the ACLU Women's Rights Project and the Pink Boots Society, a charity that empowers female brewers and helps women advance their careers in the craft beer industry through scholarships and educational programs.

In addition, the company has supported social justice causes through its annual partnership with Terrapin Beer Company, with whom they release a Reunion Ale to raise funds and awareness for the Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research (IMBCR).

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