For A-listers:
Birreria, Manhattan, New York
Mario Batali (Gwyneth Paltrow's favourite chef) opened this NYC 'craft brewery' on a Fifth Avenue rooftop last summer with the aim of offering year-round outdoor drinking — thanks to a retractable roof — with a serious gourmet bent. Beers are made using seasonal ingredients such as peppercorns or thyme. The menu features German staples with an Italian influence. 200 Fifth Avenue, eataly.com/birreria
For fashionistas:
Biergarten, The Standard, downtown LA
The sceney Standard hotel is known for its minimal rooms and buzzing bars. Late last year it opened a kitsch rooftop beer garden where guests wear designer threads and waitresses sport dirndl-printed T-shirts. The views are as big an attraction as the German beers. 550 South Flower at Sixth Street,
standardhotels.com/losangeles
For hipsters:
Radegast Hall & Biergarten, Brooklyn
The fashion for outdoor beer drinking in
New York began in Williamsburg, a trendy Brooklyn suburb. At its heart is Radegast
Hall, two enormous warehouses where
the area's hipster residents flock to drink
70 types of beer at convivial communal
tables while listening to live jazz.
113 N 3rd Street, http://radegasthall.com
For trendsetters:
Biergarten, San Francisco
Purists won't quibble with the German beer and baskets of bratwurst on offer at this new hangout in the city's funky Hayes Valley neighbourhood. Aesthetes will like the sleek tables around a large redbud tree in a space strung with atmospheric light bulbs. There's
no heating or roof, so dress for the weather.
424 Octavia, biergartensf.com
For enthusiasts:
Produce Row Café, Portland
Portland has more microbreweries than any other city in the world and the perennially popular Produce Row Café is one of the best places to try them. Hip-hop nights and collaborations with sports brands add to the cool but unpretentious vibe. Serves a good brunch and excellent cocktails too. 204 SE Oak Street, producerowcafe.com
