4 beers I am pissed I can't get in New York

August 19, 3:35 PMNY Craft Beer ExaminerMike Pomranz

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Don't look for Bell's Two Hearted Ale in New York.
You won't find it!

These are good times.  Beer, especially in America, is going through a golden age, possibly its greatest one to date.

Changes in prevailing attitudes, coupled with increases in technology, communication and travel have allowed the advent of brews that would have been impossible in previous eras.

At the very least, the choices that are available on store shelves have drastically increased in my lifetime, and the number and profile of local breweries has grown significantly.

Every time I drink a Sixpoint Bengali IPA or a Southampton Double White, I'm reminded how many great breweries are right in the New York City area.

Still, for being, by far, the largest city in the US of A, I'm deeply saddened when I think of all the amazing beers I can't get from other parts of the country.  I'm not trying to be greedy... but we all get cravings.

Here are four beers I have recently found myself lamenting that I can't find anywhere I've looked in NYC:

1. Everything Bell's -- Some people wait all winter for Oberon -- Bell's legendary spring and summer seasonal -- to be released.  But by living in Brooklyn, I find myself waiting even longer -- like until I make a trip down to Philadelphia.  Even worse is when I'm yearning for a HopSlam Ale.  No NYC availability, plus extremely limited release dates, equals one very unhappy Examiner.
2. Yards Philadelphia Pale Ale -- Speaking of trips down to Philly, that's one of the only ways a New Yorker can get one of my favorite beers in the country: Yards Philadelphia Pale Ale.  Unlike others on this list, Yards is a small brewery without a very large distribution network.  Still, located less than 100 miles to the south, I'm bothered to no end that I have to smuggle six-packs back with me every time I visit the City of Brotherly Love.
3. Russian River Pliny the Elder -- Many consider Pliny the Elder to be one of the best beers in the entire nation, but NYCers will be hard pressed to find one unless they attend a special event.  Despite being readily available in some bordering states, one of the world's best beers still is not easy to find in one of the world's largest cities.
4. Pyramid Apricot Ale -- Used to be that, in my mind, summer was inseparable from an Apricot Ale.  Easy drinking, refreshing and fruity, this signature Pyramid ale was the perfect accompaniment to sitting out in the sun.  But despite being one of America's largest breweries, good luck trying to find one in NYC.  Sure we have an ample selection of other Apricot-based beer from NY-friendly breweries like Ithaca and Dogfish Head, but, as good as those may be, they just aren't the same.

Got any inside tips where I can find any of the above beers?  Please please please let me know in the comments!  While you're there, tell me what beers you hate that you can't find in our fair city.