If you’re interested in keeping up to date with the microbreweries in New Jersey, then you should bookmark the Garden State Brewers Guild. This website has an events calendar that lets you know when a brewpub or microbrewery is holding an event and a news page that is updated regularly. There’s also a free newsletter you can sign up for. Bottoms Up!

People sampling the beers on tap for the afternoon

If you find yourself looking for a good beer in the Lehigh Valley on a Saturday afternoon I recommend checking out the Weyerbacher Brewery in Easton, Pa. Weyerbacher is wonderful microbrewery that has the Saturday afternoon brewpub down to a science. What makes Weyerbacher unique is that unlike most craft breweries, Weyerbacher specializes in Belgian style ales and whit biers. It’s a breath of fresh air from the IPA breweries that seems to dominate the American craft brewery scene. They do Belgian style ales better than any American brewery I’ve tasted. They are located on 905 Line Street in Easton, PA . You can check on their website to see what beers they will have on tap each Saturday.

A jolly old pub set about a half hour north of Trenton.

The Shipp Inn is a well kept secret of a brewpub, nestled up against the Delaware river in Milford, NJ. It’s modeled after Shipp Inn’s that are quite common in English coastal towns. The Shipp Inn also happens to be the Garden State’s first brewpub. They have three standard beers on tap plus seasonal brews. Their specials are usually on a real hand pump.

The bottle and the two glasses it filled up

 

        When I saw this special edition brew in the store I had to give it a taste because I’m a fan of Long Trail. The brewery is celebrating their 20th anniversary. The Long Trail Website has the full description of the beer and the reason for brewing it. It has some interesting facts on the website. I’m a history buff so reading the background of pale ales and how they started back in England was very refreshing, Almost as much as the beer itself.

        According to the website the beer is brewed with two-row  and crystal malts, and nugget and cascade hops. It has an ABV of 4.6%. This beer has an interesting flavor. For those who haven’t drank Long Trail for long, The Pollenator was originally a seasonal, springtime beer from 1997-2003. They brought it back for their 20th anniversary celebration. This beer is only being made until the end of September so you need to get on it soon.

       The beer has a healthy, deep golden color bordering on amber and a medium head that hangs around for a while. I got very little in the nose from this beer, but it’s designed to be a light springtime beer so that’s not surprising. It is a fine pale ale though. Smooth enjoyable taste with a light action on the tongue. This was a very refreshing beer that was not a mind-blowing taste but just a great beer to sip on if you’re looking for something light but with some taste to it. Congratulations to Long Trail on 20 years and here’s to 20 more! Bottoms up!

       I was at my local liquor store when I came across an interesting, single bottle brewed by Flying Fish Brewing Company. They have started a multi-year special brew based around the much loved, and traveled, New Jersey Turnpike. It’s called the Exit Series. 

       I investigated further and I think everyone else with a love of beer and New Jersey should too. The concept is that the taste and style of the beer for each exit corresponds with the Exits area. Each year they will release a new brew. They’re only on the second year and they have done Exit 4 (Where Flying Fish Brewery is located) and Exit 11. The Description for Exit 11 is an American Hoppy Wheat Ale that celebrates the crossroads of New Jersey where the Turnpike, the Parkway, and several other highways meet by combining a few different brewing styles. This is a creative and unique concept for a brewery to undertake. I’ve met the owners of Flying Fish and know they will do this right. It’s a nice way to honor the great Garden State. Although I have yet to sample either of the brews, I encourage every New Jerseyian to go out and try it. It can be found at any store that already sells Flying Fish. Bottoms Up!

 

Three Beers brewed with Aloha (From left to right: Mana Wheat. Big Swell IPA, Coconut Porter)

 

                                                                                                                                          

             I had the opportunity to go to the lovely island of Maui this summer and I did not pass up the opportunity to seek out the local brewery. While the island was very laid back and relaxing, The Maui Brewing Company was all business when it comes to brewing original craft brews. I was able to sample three very different beers while I was there. The beers were the Mana Wheat, The Big Swell IPA, and the Coconut Porter.

             The Maui Brewing Co. was started in 2005 in the town of Lahaina, on the Valley Isle. They are dedicated to fine craft brews made with Aloha to give it a distinct Hawaiian look and taste. It’s very tough to find on the mainland, especially the east coast, but if you do it will be in cans, which might throw you off.  The taste will get you hooked. It’s worth the trip out there. These guys are very young but on their way up. They have made some noise in the U.S. Brew Championships by taking 5th.

The Philly Microbrew scene made the news in the New York Times.  They published an article detailing the rebirth of microbreweries in Philadelphia highlighting Dock Street and Yards. They also gave some time to The Earth Bread Brewery, a new eco-friendly brewery in Philly. This is great publicity right before the 2nd Annual Philly Beer Week, which kicks off on March 6th and runs until March 15th. For those of you keeping score at home that is only 18 days. Bottoms Up!

The Ullr Ale

I was recently out in Breckenridge on a wonderful snowboarding trip. We got plenty of snow, but more importantly, their was plenty of beer to be had at the Breckenridge Brewery.

The Ullr Ale I sampled was a delicious seasonal beer I sampled. Ullr is the Norse god of snow mining and they have a week long celebration for him in the beginning of January. Now for the beer.

The Ullr Ale is an amber ale, which as far as I have seen has not been reviewed. They may only make it during the festival. The beer has a nice sweet aroma. It has a hearty and thick head on it that hangs around. It has a strong caramel nose, which lingers all the way down. Very smooth finish, with not much action but a great beer to have with a winter feast.

I sampled a few of their other beers while I was out there but didn’t take notes on them, but I can tell you if you get the chance to visit (and you most certainly should) you should try the 471 IPA. A delicious and strong Double IPA. It has a 9.2% alc/ by volume. Also I recommend the Agave Wheat. It’s a good wheat beer. Not great but once again, great with one of their many dishes. The Brewery itself has a wonderful atmosphere and their drafts are only two dollars during happy hour.

This beer may be tough to find in the New Jersey area. The only distributor in the area that carries them is Stockertown Beverage. (610 - 746-5611)

I know it’s been quite a hiatus but I’m trying to get started up with Just for Brew again.

 

Nick

  Sorry it has been so long since I have posted but I have been busy with work and school.

   I found an interesting article on msn about the rise of craft beers in America as a business venture.  The article discusses how fast craft breweries are growing and what it means to big breweries like Anheuser-Busch, SABMiller, and Molson Coors.  It is very well written but a little lengthy.  Definitely worth taking a look at.  Bottoms up!