(Drank 09/19/2026 SA @ 3:00pm): Apparently, this was the only local craft brewery in Newark proper!…read more
In my quest to explore the various cuisine scenes and things to do throughout Jersey City (specifically the Heights) and by extension nearby Hoboken, I actually found myself further out towards the airport at Newark Local Beer. If you knew me, I always seeked out local breweries wherever I traveled and made it a point to visit any I could before I departed. Opened in late-2021 as the U.S. slowly started to open up at the tailend of the Covid pandemic, husband and wife owners, Stephen and Miller Hughes as avid beer enthusiasts with a passion for making their own beer, decided to follow their dream of opening a brewery and event space in the heart of downtown Newark where there once was a rich beer history. How did Newark's lone local beer producer treat my palate!?
PURCHASE(S)
*All beers from Newark Local Beer*
Orange Crush Wheat Beer 4.9% ABV 16floz Draft ($7.00): Bright amber color, citrusy wheaty aroma, light body, citrusy orange sweet wheaty flavor, crushable smooth finish, and citrusy wheaty aftertaste.
Lite Rail Kölsch Beer 5.2% ABV 16floz Draft ($8.00): Amber color, biscuit malty aroma, light body, biscuit citrusy malty flavor, crisp smooth finish, and biscuit malty aftertaste.
Utz "The Crab Chip" w/Chesapeake Bay Crab Seasoning Potato Chips 7.75oz Bag ($6.00): With no real nearby food options except for delivery, I chose this over beef jerky and the unique flavor of minimal crab and salty seasoning that made me really thirsty... a plus for a brewery!
Sidecar Session IPA Beer 4.5% ABV 16floz Draft ($7.00): Rich amber color, funky hoppy aroma, light body, dank hoppy tropical flavor, crisp finish, and earthy hoppy aftertaste.
Coal Train Nitro Oatmeal Stout Beer 4.5% ABV 16floz Draft ($8.00): Brown red color, bread malty oatmeal aroma, light body, bready earthy oatmeal malt flavor, bitter drying finish, and bitter malty oatmeal aftertaste.
Unleaded Hazy NEIPA Beer 7.0% ABV 16floz Draft ($10.00): Hazy amber color, citrusy hoppy aroma, light body, herbal hoppy flavor, crisp finish, and herbal hoppy aftertaste. My favorite of the bunch.
Easy Rider IPA Beer 6.0% ABV 16floz Draft ($8.00): Hazy amber color, floral hoppy aroma, light body, citrusy fruity hoppy flavor, crisp smooth finish, and citrusy floral hoppy aftertaste.
Stickers ($1.00 x3): I loved placing stickers on the walls of other breweries!
Souvenir T-Shirt Baby Blue M ($25.00): Not that I needed ANOTHER t-shirt, but the logo was cool and I loved the Grateful Dead skull treatment.
SERVICE
I was warmly greeted by a friendly lone young man behind the bar as I made myself at home for several hours at a counter stool. It was just he and I for a while, so we chatted, as I kept ordering beers from him. Eventually, a large group from Audible came in as he managed the crowd perfectly. Once it was time for me to leave, I easily settled my tab as we each wished each other a good night. It was a chill afternoon with a cool guy - cheers!
PARKING
(Varied; N/A this instance): I took a Lyft from Jersey City and never left my stool until I left, so I honestly had no idea the parking and streets situation in the area. However, it seemed like there was the possibility of street parking, but don't hold me to it.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A huge open one-floor layout with numerous brewing equipment visible on site, with numerous communal tables and stools, a small counter where I sat, and stark white walls like a hospital with some artwork hung on them. Plenty of natural lighting filtered through the large front glass doors and windows while an assortment of track and wall-mounted electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. No actual TVs but projections screened on the walls while an eclectic mix of music played in the background.
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
I was happy to finally visit Newark Local Beer and cover all of the breweries within proximity of my friend's place. I enjoyed the variety of brews they had and I drank, and the space has so much potential. The prices were comparable, the service was amazing, and I imagined they held nightly events to bring in the crowds. And, I'm unaware whether or not pets are allowed. Plus, I always preferred to support small mom & pop businesses. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $86.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS
