It aint so bad living in New Jersey!
August 2, 2010
Sometimes, it ‘aint so bad living in New Jersey!
I can’t remember the last time that sentiment crossed my synapses, but this weekend was different! I attended a beer-tasting event for an up-and-coming brewery located (for now) in northern New Jersey.
The ‘up and coming brewery’ I referred to is called Manor House Brewing, – and they’re very close to getting all their ducks in a row regarding equipment, legal issues, and real estate.
The beer-tasting event over the weekend is a way for the folks of Manor House to get real-time feedback about their beer, which enables them to refine their recipes if need be. That’s a really smart thing to do I think!
The beer itself was just unbelievable. There were three-ish beers available for tasting.
The first beer I tried was a wheat Summer ale. I drink a lot of wheat beers, and it happens to be a favorite style of mine, especially the Belgian Wit. Well, I have to say that the ‘Summer House’ as they call it, blew me away! If this beer were available commercially, there is no doubt it would have a spot in my fridge all Summer long! What makes it different? Well, you’ll have to wait and see for yourself!
The next super-fresh beer I got to sample was a nut brown ale. This is a beer style that I’m not all that familiar with so its a bit hard to make comparisons – needless to say, this beer was also a delight! I think that perhaps I had more samples of this brew than any of the others!
And finally, I got to try the Manor House Brewing version of the English IPA. Now, if you’ve read The Brew Club for any period of time, you’ll know that I’m not a huge IPA fan. Why? Well, I cut my IPA teeth on a Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA when I was even less knowledgeable about beer. As excellent of a beer as that may be, it was too much for me, (big baby Scott) and hence, my IPA phobia!
Well, the English IPA is a little different than the American over-hopped version. Its still hoppy, but more balanced with malt flavors. Long story short, the Manor House English IPA was surprisingly, my favorite beer of the evening! Wild stuff, right?
In addition to getting to try the excellent beers, I got to meet and talk with the great people behind the operation – Charles, Tomi, Bill and Elena could not have been better hosts. To me, they seemed like a great group of people who were friendly, knowledgeable and willing to spend time answering questions about the beer, and explaining the great story behind Manor House Brewing. (Also, thanks for the glass!)
Silly me though – I forgot to bring anything that takes pictures just like a little event I attended last summer! That’s unfortunate because I finally got to meet my nemesis Jim, I mean, Jim from Beer and Whiskey Brothers! Jim has posting about Manor House Brewing for some time now- you can read more about their progress over at B&WB.
One thing Jim loves is good, short copy! But, I’m going to throw this line in anyway to say that is was great to finally meet Jim in person. Thankfully, someone else was there to capture the moment. (I’m on the right)
In the meantime, check out Manor House Brewing on Facebook, especially if you’re in the NJ/NY area. You’ll definitely want to know when their beer hits the shelves!
Sometimes, it ‘aint so bad living in New Jersey.
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August 2nd, 2010 at 9:31 am
Can’t wait for them to make some waves in this state! Looking forward to trying some of Bill’s beer, hopefully in the near future!
.-= Peter at Simply Beer´s last blog ..Best in Show- Simply Beer’s Sorachi Patersbier =-.
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:42 am
It’s definitely good stuff Peter! NJ will be a better place when their beer hits the shelves!
And congrats to you for your winning beer entry!
August 2nd, 2010 at 11:58 am
Reading this has reminded me that, while I’ve reviewed beers from the Arctic Circle to Tierra del Fuego for The Brewclub, I have two well respected breweries virtually on my doorstep.
Purely by coincidence I shall be meeting the Head Brewer from one of these breweries this evening and will seek to arrange to rectify this shameful omission.
And Scott… you need a shave, you’re looking distinctively Wolverine in that picture. Better trim your nails too!
August 2nd, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Hahaha! Thanks Bob! You know, with such a busy schedule its hard to get shaving in sometimes!
I think its great to be able to have good beer that is produced locally, and fortunately we’re getting to see more and more of it. Looking forward to your local beer reviews!
August 2nd, 2010 at 2:51 pm
It was a great night that flew by. The beer was awesome and it was great to finally meet you, Scott. That picture doesn’t do you justice!
August 2nd, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Thanks Jim I try my best to impress! Good meeting you too!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Brewdog-The End of History =-.
August 3rd, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Hahaha… first of all that picture is awesome. Well done.
Manor House Brewing sounds fantastic based on your write up, I can’t wait until they have something available for me to try. I do live in SoCal so the distribution might take a while, boo.
Also nice job hitting up Jim and Beer & Whiskey Brothers, I love their blog. It’s cool to see you all doing some mingling.
.-= Royce´s last blog ..Impromptu Beer Reaction- Ale of the Hermit by Hermitage Brewing Co =-.
August 3rd, 2010 at 4:15 pm
@Royce – thanks. I didn’t expect to be so much taller than Jim because he’s a pretty tall guy, but what can I say?
I think its going to be awhile before any of their beer makes it out to California, but I can definitely see these beers being sought after for trades once word gets out. Its really good stuff!
Regarding the mingling – it IS cool and I wish I could do more if it. I feel like I know so many people from blogging, yet I’ve never met any! It was really easy talking with Jim about beer and a bunch of other stuff because we’ve had so many interactions online – I feel like I’ve known him forever already!
I encourage everyone to follow my lead! Leave your dank, single light-bulb lit basement, change out of that old nightgown grandma left you, and meet some real people in the real world!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..St Bernardus Witbier =-.
August 5th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Hahaha hey! How did you know about the nightgown! eep!
.-= Royce´s last blog ..Beer Wednesday- Norwegian Wood by Haandbryggeriet and Morke Pumpernickel Porter by Beer Here =-.
August 5th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Whew! I thought I was the only one!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..What’s Your Favorite Summer Beer =-.
August 12th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Has anyone ever told you that you resemble Woverine? Sounds like a fun event. It’s cool they make a nut brown…that beer is slowly going the way of the dinosaur.
.-= nate´s last blog ..Great American Beer Fest VS Oktoberfest =-.
August 13th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
@nate – yeah, I heat it all the time. I have to keep a stick with me to keep the woman away!
It was a good time, and trying the Manor House Nut Brown makes me want to try others – if I can find any!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..The Great British Beer Festival 2010 =-.