New World Tavern opens in Plymouth; American Craft in Brookline to close?

I took a ride down to Plymouth over the weekend to check out The New World Tavern, a craft beer spot that opened last Thursday.

It's an interesting space -- modern, open, airy, even classy -- with a menu that offers upscale pub food. (There's maybe too much room behind the bar, with the taps so far away, against the back wall, that you can't read them. The bartenders do hand out printed beer menus, though.)

The beer list, which no doubt changes regularly, is well chosen, with a range of styles and brewers represented. On Saturday night the 32 taps included Mayflower Thanksgiving Ale, Dogfish Head Sah'Tea, Pretty Things Jack D'Or, Wachusett Imperial Pumpkin, and Blatant IPA. The bottles include top-notch Belgian brews from St. Bernardus, Rochefort, and Westmalle.

It will be interesting to see how the New World Tavern fares over time. Even though it's on a well-traveled stretch downtown, it's only a block from the British Beer Company. On the other hand, BBC's Plymouth location is tiny and doesn't serve food.

Tapas replacing taps?

While Plymouth welcomes a new craft beer bar, there are reports that Brookline may be losing one. The Brookline Tab is reporting that American Craft in Washington Square might be closing.

The spot, which opened in early 2010 and features a rotating array of American craft beers, is owned by David Ciccolo, who also owns The Publick House, a hugely popular craft beer bar -- in the same block -- that focuses on Belgian beers but also features craft beer from the United States. One wonders if the problem is that Ciccolo is essentially competing with himself by trying to operate two craft beer spots right on top of each other. (I've been trying to reach Ciccolo since Friday evening, but he hasn't returned my calls or email. I will update this item if he does.)

For now, American Craft -- which is in the space formerly occupied by Ciccolo's barbecue joint, The Roadhouse -- remains open. When it's actually closing -- if indeed it is -- is unclear. The pub is still posting draught lists on its Twitter feed, so apparently nothing is imminent.

What's supposedly going in there next? A Spanish tapas chain called Barcelona Wine Bar, according to the Tab.

Email me at greenlee@globe.com. Follow me on Twitter @SteveGreenlee.