Unfortunately, the worst part of Opening Day was the play on the field. Hopefully that doesn’t continue. There are a handful of changes at Citi Field to note.
The bad first. There are no longer Brooklyn Beers on tap at the Taste of NY center field concourse. No Shackmeister Ale, no Blanche de Brooklyn, no Blue Smoke Ale and no Sabroso Ale. Not even a Brooklyn Summer Ale. You can still get the Brooklyn Lager around the park, but the loss of these specialty brews is disappointing. I haven’t even seen Brooklyn’s Pennant Ale anywhere, which you think would be a given for a ballpark, never mind a team with Brooklyn roots. I’m going to try to keep a full list of the Mets beer selections at Citi Field, and hopefully one day will add the stuff that’s hidden behind club doors this season. If you know a blogger and beer lover that roots for a different team, I’d love to talk with him or her about creating a beer list for other stadiums.
The highlight of the changes to me was a new concession stand on the field level in the left fielder corner called Keith’s Grill. It features a Gold Glove burger which is described as having been created by Keith Hernandez.
“Exactly how Keith eats his burger; A 6 oz. Brooklyn Burger on a toasted sesame bun, w/ cheddar cheese, topped w/ lettuce, tomato, two dill pickles, raw onions mayo & extra ketchup on top, mustard spread on the bottom bun. Burger served with house made kettle chips & Keith’s favorite candy; a Tootsie Roll Pop”
I didn’t try it; the line was too long and I figured I’d go back on a less crowded occasion, but it sounds yummy. I heard that their was a new Pastrami on Rye sandwich somewhere, but I think I remember seeing that at the Kosher cart last year.
There was two new beers from Hometown Brewery. A New York Lager and a light. the NY Lager wasn’t bad, but didn’t seem like anything special. They were available from a couple of different carts around the park. It seems like it might be contract-brewed by the Lion Brewery in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Which is where the Yankees AAA team plays and is in Pennsylvania, so don’t be too excited by the NY name.
Two new menu items at Blue Smoke. Chipotle wings are back after a 2010 absence (I learned in 2009 that eating wings in cold weather when your hands are chapped is a bad idea) and also a fried chicken sandwich.
There’s an organic dark chocolate frozen yogurt bar at the Burgers and Fries concession from Stonyfield, and also a chipwich at the same place.
Box Frites has a sauce, rosemary ranch, which I think is a new choice.
There appears to be knishes available at more locations this year.
There are probably a couple of other changes that I missed, so be on the lookout!
As usual, plenty of advertising turnover.