(Drank 07/14/23 FR @ 5:00pm): Yup... this definitely was a brewing company in New Jersey!…read more
On this recent trip, I was on a mission to explore the small beer scene in/around Jersey City and ended up at New Jersey Brewing Co. as my second brewery. This time, my friend and I found ourselves in the township of North Bergen which neither of us had been to before. With a tap list heavily-focused on IPAs, it was difficult for my friend to find something she could drink, and IPAs weren't one of my top three choices. Would there be a drinkable brew for us in this part of New Jersey!?
PURCHASE
Mango On My Mind IPA Beer 7.0% ABV 16floz Draft ($7.00): Bright mango orange color, slight hoppy mango aroma, low body, slight hoppy mango tropical flavor, mouthfeel finish, and slight hoppy mango tropical aftertaste - mango! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=_IcJ-ZTkhPrxlFYZ99d6dQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Blood Orange American LBIPA Beer 6.6% ABV 16floz Draft ($6.00 x3): Hazy orange color, slight hoppy orange aroma, low body, slight hoppy orange sweet flavor, drying finish, and slight hoppy orange aftertaste - Vitamin-C! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=k5tVoWFXZTLIXnZR2QnBrQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Algorithmic Design NEDIPA Beer 7.8% ABV 16floz Draft ($7.00): Hazy orange color, citrusy hoppy aroma, low body, citrusy hoppy piney flavor, drying finish, and citrusy hoppy aftertaste - in the weeds! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=9z73WMXT-bfnwzAq304pkQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Freedom! DIPA Beer 8.2% ABV 10floz Draft ($7.00): Dark amber color, hoppy piney aroma, medium body, hoppy piney flavor, drying finish, and bitter hoppy aftertaste - left me parched. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=LkoLxaNxlaE3p1pmiTKjzg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Watermelon Sour Fruited Beer 8.0% ABV 10floz Draft ($7.00): Bright orange color, tart tropical watermelon aroma, low body, candy fruity tart tropical flavor, tart finish, and candy tart watermelon aftertaste - yes! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=cwkMVc4jrgRo4JvIOA-U5Q&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
The Hangover Pretzel Co. Ched'a Ranch Pretzel Pieces 11.2oz Bag ($8.00): Because all we had in our bellies was froyo, we needed something to help absorb the beer. The flavor had more ranch than cheddar, but each piece was a bit large and harder than expected. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=tPaeRPdG6qUX3eXerLW7YA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
SERVICE
We were immediately greeted by two friendly young men behind the bar who were ready to give us the lowdown about their beers! After we secured seating, they were kind and patient enough to offer free samples to my friend who wasn't an IPA drinker. Afterwards, I continuously approached the bar to place an order during our stay. There wasn't any table service, so on each trip I returned our empties. Everything was no-frills straightforward which was fine with us - all was good!
PARKING (FREE; N/A this instance)
We took the light rail to Tonnelle Ave. Station and walked about 10 minutes along a busy street into a somewhat industrial area. They didn't have an onsite lot. Otherwise, there appeared to be plenty of spots along the main drag of 43rd St., the major thoroughfare of Tonnelle Ave., and nearby surrounding side streets - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A no-frills somewhat cavernous industrial warehouse where you walked through a door within a drop-down metal garage door, you were immediately staring at the brewing tanks. The bar area was off to the right with several high barrel tables, a handful of stools at the bar, and a chalkboard menu https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=nJg33bmX7AUR7f4gzEhgTQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw up on the wall. There was an uncomfortable hot dankness in the air. Natural lighting only entered once the garage door was opened while soul-sucking fluorescent electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There were muted TVs while rock music played in the background. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=rblApp3OACOCC_PN48XKnQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
I was happy to try New Jersey Brewing Co., and I would consider another visit at least to try the rest of their beers. However, their tap list was limited both in quantity and variety. They were very heavy on the IPAs which wasn't my favorite. Unfortunately, there wasn't any onsite food (some snacks) or trucks (BYOF style). And, they appeared to be family and pet-friendly. They had comparable prices and adequate service. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $54.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS