Photos by Graig Kreindler. Written by David Henehan.

Last night, New York Comic Con had their Brooklyn Defender Launch Party at Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg. For the past three years, Brooklyn Brewery has produced a limited edition beer in honor of New York Comic Con, the Brooklyn Defender.

The recipe of the beer changes each year. Every year so far it’s been a different variation on an IPA, but Brooklyn Brewery founder and brewmaster Garrett Oliver said during his speech last night that it’s not guaranteed to always be an IPA.

Besides the recipe changing every year, so does the design of the Brook Defender’s superhero persona the artist who designs it. The first Brooklyn Defender was designed by Tony Millionaire. Last year’s was designed by current Wonder Woman artist Cliff Chiang. This year’s Brooklyn Defender was designed by Rocketgirl’s Amy Reeder.

Amy Reeder was at the event last night. She gave out free copies of Rocket Girl #1 and signed them as well. Besides the comic, everyone in attendance received a Brooklyn Defender pint glass, sticker and t-shirt, all designed by Reeder. And the NYCC crew raffled off a bunch of NYCC passes.

Oh, and did I mention that the event was totally free to get into and was open bar all night! That’s right, free Brooklyn Brewery beer all night, and not just the Defender. Anything on tap was yours for the asking, including the delicious and deadly Brooklyn Blast!

The one thing that did surprise me about last night’s event was the lack of cosplayers. There was one very awesome Rocketeer, and that was it. I was shocked.

If you missed out on Brookyn Defender Launch Party in the past three years, make sure you attend next year! Last night was a lot of fun, especially considering that no one dressed as Batman puked on anyone (It’s happened there before…)