Hop Devil Grill & Belgian Room

Billolick

New York

4.28/5  rDev +4.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

This east side spot is another fine addition to the NYC beer scene. Less then a block from Tompkins square park this place is sure to move mega gallons of suds to thirsty lower east siders all year round. 24 on tap, mostly domestic micros and a limited selection of so so imports drafts. (Stella, Bass, Ho) U.S. selections and bottles were strong, with several fine and intriguing choices. Draft- Victory old HO, Perkunos hammer, Bklyn Sustainable Porter etc. Nice Belgian bottled selections, with a few that strayed far afield. (Flemish Primitive, Cantillon, Abbey des Rocs and a host of Trappists) nice! Bottles of Stone's Verticle Epic ($12) are not something you see at many bars. Friendly owner and Bar staff. Nice comfortable front room, medium sized and comfortable bar, with a smaller elevated room with tables in the rear. They will be adding an adjoining Belgian room and opening a rear garden sometime hopefully soon. Well worth a visit and will only be getting better.

05-07-2005 12:58:41 | More by Billolick

apintofknowledge

New Jersey

4.3/5  rDev +4.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $

The Hop Devil Grill bright and light compared to all the old dark beer bars of the East Village with a storefront that opens to the sidewalk, light-colored wood interior, and about 20 taps mounted on shiny diamond-plate steel. Only open about a month, the impressive list of taps, along with dozens of bottles, are listed on a chalkboard overhead. It's kill-the-keg night where Ithaca Smoked Porter can be had for $3 a pint. I can't resist, and order one.

The friendly bartender offers a taste of any beer you're interested in trying... just a sip or two in a shotglass... a nice touch before taking a chance on a whole pint of something new. They have a couple of great barleywines, but after taking a taste, I realize that a high-alcohol beer (10% or more) isn't the best choice for the end of a pub-crawl. He continues to rave about Stone Arrogant Bastard, so I go ahead and order one, and am certainly not disappointed. When my pint is nearly empty, he takes the glass and refills it saying it's on the house. Can't complain about a free beer!

All in all, a great new beer destination in a neighborhood that already has a few to begin with. Where it lacks in history & dust, it more than makes up for with great selection & great service. I'll certainly be back, and maybe try the food next time.

05-04-2005 20:14:52 | More by apintofknowledge

domus

New York

4/5  rDev -2.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4

Went on the Grand Opening night, this past Thursday. Draught selection was very good, with some classic and some more interesting selections - Hop devil (of course), delerium tremens, a few German beers, two different victory stouts, etc. The bottle selection had some impressive selections, although the Stone Vertical Epic listed on the board was not on the menu, so I only saw it as I left. Food was fine for pub food, if a little pricy for the neighborhood. There was also someone there doing promo for some new whiskeys, rum, and Starbucks liquour, which was cool. Great decorations of beer signs, mirrors, etc. They seemed to be doing good business, and the service was generally good. A welcome addition to the NYC beer scene - hope they do well!

04-02-2005 20:27:38 | More by domus