| Baker Street Brewery's founder and head brewer Art Hannemann takes you on a journey to find the ales. Catch the train for Arty's ride to the New Jersey suburbs in search of, what else, great beer! It's going to be a fun trip as Arty reviews and rates a new stop each month as he takes the rails to the ales.....and beyond! |
| Take The Rails to The Ales to... Off the Tracks to Best Places to Buy Beer in NJ To kick start 2013 I though I'd respond to the many e-mails I've received the past year asking me to pick the best stores in NJ to buy craft beer. One caveat before we begin - there are many great places that are not on the list simply because there isn't enough room or I have not personally visited them. Don't worry, I'll do a few follow up columns during the new year. By the way, if you have a personal favorite please e-mail me and I'll visit there. ------- Liquor Outlet Wine Cellars 289 Myrtle Ave., Boonton, NJ (973) 334-1331 This is my go to place for craft beer though they sometimes fail to have that one special item other places sometimes get. Still, with over 500 types of beers it's no wonder they are voted best in the area in every poll. They feature a serious wall of 750ml bottles with many hard to find Belgians. The staff is generally helpful and knowledgeable. You can buy sixtel kegs but there are no taps for growler fills. Prices are good and the inventory is fresh. I rate them 4 1/2 out of 5 engines. ……………… Spirits Unlimited 853 State Route 35, Middletown, NJ (732) 957-9700 Another store that features a massive wall of 750 ml imports and domestic craft beers along with several rows of craft mainly from the US. Especially welcoming is the Growler Station with 6 rotating beer choices offered at fair prices. Solid staff though sometimes hard to find. I give them 4 engines. ------------------------------------- Super Buy-Rite 575 Manila Ave., Jersey City, New Jersey, 07310 (201) 239-1200 This place is BIG. My favorite part is that there are several hundred beers available in singles to go along with their wide selection of bombers. While the singles are pricey it's a great way to sample beers you don't want to take a chance on buying in a 4 or 6 pack. This store also gets a lot of the limited release beers. Staff, when you can find someone, is friendly but not knowledgeable about beer. Some bottles dusty and out of date so be careful what you select. I rate them three and 1/2 engines. ----------------------------------------------- Wine Library 586 Morris Avenue Springfield, New Jersey Solid selection of many craft beers plus a few unusual ones not seen in other places. Overall the number of offerings is decidedly less than the other places reviewed but nonetheless you are apt to find an occasional home run just sitting on the shelf or stacked up at the end of their lone beer aisle. No growler station but a knowledgeable helpful staff. Downside is that certain items seem "reserved" for regular customers. That's how you don't make a casual buyer into a regular. Pricing is fair with a few worth while sales. Take note of "staff recommendations" which are usually right on. I hereby bestow on the Wine Library the rating of two and a half engines . -------------------------------------- ============== Hope you get a chance to stop in at my new restaurant in the Bradley Gardens section of Bridgewater NJ. Bring your own great beer and enjoy my great food! Neil's All American Grill, 85 Old York Road Bridgewater NJ. 908-300-8658. Chicken Specialties, Sloppy Joes, Subs, Falafels, Burgers Cheesesteaks, Salads, Vegetarian Menu, Italian Specialties and All kinds of crazy stuff. BYOB ! Stop in if you are in the area and mention you read my column! =================================== *********************************** Here's some good info on planning your own Rails To Ales trip. First step go to www.njtransit.com web site. Then click on train schedules. Next click on "use our map to plan your trip." Now select your train station on the map. And next select your destination on the map. A new page appears and you want to select weekday, holiday or weekend accordingly. A new page appears with your schedule of departing times and length of travel time. Print this up and then go to the bottom of the schedule and it will say click here for return schedule--click away. Now print this page up as well and you have all the info you need to plan your trip. Remember to allow walking and drinking time. Gotta catch my train back-- see you at my next stop! Remember to leave the car at home and......Take The Rails To The Ales !!!! Arty Hannemann |
Rails to Ales........and beyond ////////////////////////////////
by Arty Hannemann
by Arty Hannemann
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| Arty's Ratings Five engines= the very best Four engines= excellent Three engines=good Two engines= fair One engine= bad news Zero engines=stay away For Off The Rails it's Barely Sacks instead of Engines |
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| For the complete listing of all Rails to Ales click HERE |