Today we’re talking about beer – and En Jay has a number of noteworthy microbreweries and brew pubs where the beer is handcrafted in small batches, and of course, everyone knows your name.
Chalk one up for the Ship Inn Restaurant and Brewery in Milford. Owner and brewer TimothyHall explained that a brew pub is exactly that – a pub where you enjoy good food and drink special craft-style beer made on the premises. Customers here can enjoy its Best Bitter, pale ale like its English compatriot - mild with prominent hops notes.
“Since we are a brew pub and cannot sell wholesale, we have created the Beer in a Box,” explains Tim. “Our customers, many of whom drive for a good hour to get to us, can enjoy our brews at home or while visiting family and friends over the holidays.”
High Point Wheat Beer Company of Butler went from selling its exclusive wheat beer from signature blue vans to becoming our nation’s first exclusive wheat microbrewery – that means they sell their nine varieties of Ramstein Beer wholesale to retailers.
“Unlike traditional beer made from barley, rice or corn,” explains Germany trained founder Greg Zaccardi, “we use wheat, add hops, Jersey water and our specially grown yeast. The result is thirst quenching ale with a higher carbonation and a clove and fruity aroma. Our classic and first brew, Blonde Wheat, is still our most popular.”
The largest and first craft production brewery in the southern half of En Jay is Flying Fish Brewing Company of Cherry Hill. Specializing in classic English and Belgian-style brews, the company has won numerous awards.
We asked founder and owner Gene Muller how to pair holiday food and beer.
“A nice pale ale like our Hopfish India Pale with its citrus hop finish is perfect to start your meal. A British style amber like our popular ESB Ale goes great with lighter fare foods – such as turkey. And for richer dishes or dessert, a strong golden ale like our Grand Cru Winter Reserve is the perfect compliment. For fruit and cheese, we suggest our rich fruity, almondy Belgium Abbey Dubbel.”
An uncommon pairing suggestion from Hall is a pale ale with dark chocolate. “The bitter and sweetness balance each other,” he told us.
The Original Basil T’s in Red Bank serves up authentic Italian specialties with its own craft beer. “Right now we’re serving our popular pumpkin beer with a spicy, anise flavor that goes great with pasta and chicken,” explains Gretchen the brew master. “Just in time for the holidays, we also offer our Red Ribbon Ale with licorice notes.” Regulars at this brewpub -- known to serve two of Jersey’s most famous rockers-- know to purchase the five pint “growler” with refills for only $12.
Check out the Garden State Craft Brewer’s Guild for quick info on what’s brewing. Most breweries also offer tours and tastings on weekends. Enjoy a homegrown pint – or two this holiday season – just be responsible. Cheers!
Tell us about your favorite microbrewery or brew pub by clicking on the “Write the Editor” link below.
This article was written by contributor Pamela J. Principe-Golgolab of PNA Associates Inc.
Liz Kulig of Hasbrouck Heights thinks a clean environment should be a green environment.
So when Liz and her co-workers spiff up your home, they use organic, bio-degradable, vegetable-based cleaners. No chemicals, nothing that will cause skin irritations, or trigger sensitivities in pets and children.
Liz’s special mission started two years ago when cancer struck close to home. She began learning about the benefits of a diet of organic food, and lots of exercise. Plus, she educated herself about toxins in the house.
“I (also) learned that the air inside my house is at least 5 times more contaminated then the air outside!” Liz wrote us. “And sometimes, due to the usage of household cleaners, the air in my home may be even 100 times worse than the air outside!”
And so, Eco Green Home, -- Liz’s company—was born.
At the end of one of the cleaning sessions, you’ll be able to inhale your room air without worrying about toxic residue. The cleaners leave behind a sachet filled with lavender. Sometimes, they burn natural oils when they clean.
Liz attended a session on aroma therapy at a Pennsylvania spa. “The idea came to me, that if I’m using odor-free cleaners, I can offer my clients aromatherapy during the service, so they get that refreshing, and healthy, fragrance when they open the door coming home, “ she wrote.
Eco Green Homecharges $25 per hour, and services North Jersey. Most average 3 bedroom homes take 3-4 hours. The green cleaning supplies are included. You can reach them at (201) 694-1350 or email at
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When the job is finished, the cleaners leave a piece of organic chocolate on the bed pillow. Liz thinks the service is “hotel-worthy.”
You—and your house -- will be healthier when they are finished.
Our friends at Longfellow’s Coffee (www.longfellowscoffee.com) were so inspired by the President-elect, they decided to create a new specialty brew in his honor.
We first wrote about the two Longfellow’s drive-thru coffee stands nearly two years ago www.njmyway.com/content/view/138/69/. They were founded by advertising executive Bruce Jed who was inspired by 9-11 to pursue his alternative dreams.
Jed was intrigued by Obama’s heritage -- rooted in three great coffee growing areas; Kenya, Hawaii, and Indonesia. So Longfellow’s master roaster took beans from each region and experimented with them to find the exact proportion for this new Presidential brew. They call the new coffee “brilliant, full bodied, and smooth.”
No wonder. Specialty roasters at Jersey City-based Kobrick’s (www.kobricks.com) used beans considered to be among the world’ finest; Kenya AA, Hawaiian Kona Extra Fancy, and Indonesian Sulawesi.
The Obama blend is pricey. $16.25 for a 12 oz. package of whole beans. There is an introductory offer which gives you 10% off two or more packages. It is available through the company’s website or at the drive-up windows in Kinnelon and Jefferson.
Jed says the coffee was created “with a profound admiration” for Obama. It might be a neat way to finish off the inaugural dinner… a drink that brings a multi-cultural celebration of hope and promise, with a shot of caffeine to help everyone hit the ground running.
This being a holiday week, we’re heading out early to make the turkey, so we’re publishing our weekend picks early.
What’s Thanksgiving without football? Now, you can celebrate Big Blue with a special appearance by Giants great Stephen “Touchdown Maker” Baker at Gary’s Wine andMarketplace in Wayne (www.garyswine.com) this Sunday. Load up on Giants Game Day Party Buckets, plus other exclusive team collectibles.
Talk about the calm before the storm! Our friends at Montclair Yoga are holding a three hour morning session tomorrow starting at 8:30am. And, to get back in shape after the feast; we’ve received several e-mailsabout the grand opening of Wayne Yoga (www.wayneyoga.com) which is offering free Yoga classes, beginning on December 1st. Betsey Johnson (www.betseyjohnson.com) has a new store at the Riverside Square Mall in Hackensack. (www.shopriverside.com ) just in time for Black Friday.
The Cherry Hill Mall is opening at 6am on Friday, and urging shoppers to show up in their pajamas, and bring a spare pair to support Operation PJ Pile Up for needy kids.
There may be no better time to see this play. This Wonderful Life, the stage adaption of theclassicChristmas film It’s A Wonderful Life is being performed at The Cape MayStage (www.capemaystage.com) at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse, beginning Friday, November 28th.
You can leap into the holiday spirit at Princeton’s McCarter Theatre (www.mccarter.org) with this weekend’s presentation of The Nutcracker, performed by the American Repertory Ballet.
Finally, here’s a timely hike: learn everything you wanted to know about the cranberry industry by taking a walking tour of Cloverdale Farm County Park (www.pineypower.com/Cloverdale/cloverdale.htm) in Barnegat this Saturday. It’s free but you need to call to pre-register (609) 971-3085.
We’ll be back in your e-mailbox on Monday, December 1st. Have a great holiday, and remember to give thanks for all you have; this year more than ever it seems the little things will count the most!
We are giving a big En Jay thumbs up to the efforts of Montclair business owner Kelly DelRosso this holiday season.
DelRosso, owner of semplice, (www.semplicehome.com) formed The Committee toKeep Montclair Small Business Alive,(www.shoplocalmontclair.com) a new website that promotes instant sales by local merchants.
Shopping close to home, she writes, is “energy efficient” and “heart-warming.” The stores, a few dozen of them, have pledged to keep consumers aware of the latest and greatest deals, to fill that holiday gift list. The ads will be updated frequently, to tout products, list the latest shopping hours, and new promotions.
Montclair will be especially hard hit by shrinking financial and media industry jobs – and as Kelly’s website points out, no government bailout is coming the way of these small businesses at the end of the economic food chain. She calls it “the stormiest retail season in years.”
“If shops begin to go vacant after a potentially devastating holiday season, we all lose in the long run…and, more importantly, the community of Montclair loses.”
We couldn’t have said it better. Here’s a chance to save a few dollars, stay close to home, and fuel the local economy. Keeping it local – keeping small businesses in business and keeping your town out of trouble.
Your little one is a star, but Broadway hasn’t seen the light… yet. Next Monday and Tuesday evening, there’s a chance for this budding diva to try out for a starring role in Cat.
That’s right, Cat—singular. Not even feline. Before you stop reading, remember, many great shows start on the smaller stage.
The Strollers, (www.thestrollers.org) Maplewood’s resident theatre company, is holding auditions for Cat: The Adventures of a Caterpillar. It’s a new musical by New York City composer David Wolfson, about a singing insect who is too large to escape a fire, and is left behind all the others rush into an ant hole. Then, she’s picked up by a passing elephant and suddenly becomes a tiny adventurer in a giant world.
The director/choreographer Carol Cornicelli, is looking for actors ages 10 to 99. Cornicelli, who is also the resident publicist, writes that those auditioning should be prepared to “sing, read, and move.” The play features some large puppets, manipulated by several cast members.
The tryouts are Monday, December 1st and Tuesday the 2nd at the Burgdorff Center forthe Performing Arts in Maplewood. Call backs are Thursday the 4th. The cast that is chosen will rehearse through the holidays; the show opens January 23rd.
Good luck, and don’t forget what happens when a caterpillar sheds its skin. A starring role here might just help reveal the next Broadway butterfly.
