The neighborhood around Brooklyn Brewery contains several very good breweries. Make it a day. You don't wanna drive in the City anyway. Trust me.
You'll find quite a few bars in Manhattan have excellent beer selections. For history go to MacSorley's Ale House east of the village.
If you like sour beers, have the time and inclination to go on Long Island, which is pronounced Long Guyland, find the Southhampton Publick House.
At a well-stocked bottle shop look for Ballantine India Pale Ale with a black and green label. It is a revisiting of a legendary brew, not quite like the original (brewed for Pabst now), and is nothing like modern AIPAs.
LA and Vegas? Quien Sabe?