Welcome to the Garden State Craft Brewers Guild Newsletter for February 2012 — keeping you posted on what’s brewing in New Jersey.

Guild Participates in Washington, DC Beer Tasting with NJ Chamber of Commerce

Member breweries supplied 19 beers for the 2nd Annual New Jersey Beer tasting in conjunction with the NJ Chamber of Commerce’s Walk on Washington. The goal was to display the wide variety of beers and breweries now springing up in the Garden State, as well as the impact on employment and tourism each local brewery has. During the tasting, Guild members Michael Kane (Kane Brewing), Rick Reed (Cricket Hill) and Gene Muller (Flying Fish) met with more than two dozen state legislators as well as U.S. Senator Robert Menendez. Other breweries sending beer were Carton Brewing, Iron Hill, Pizzeria Uno and Triumph.

Super Beers for the Super Bowl

For Super Bowl XLVI The Star-Ledger is offering their list of eight “worthy” brews from New York/New Jersey and eight more from New England. The Brewers Guild is well represented with brews from Cricket Hill, Flying Fish, Ramstein and New Jersey Beer Co. Check out the full list!

Flying Fish Releases Exit 8 Mid-month

The long-delayed eighth stop on the multi-year Exit Series trip brings us to, coincidentally, Exit 8 and celebrates what puts the “Garden” in Garden State.

To celebrate Exit 8, one of New Jersey’s big farming areas, Flying Fish has brewed a beer that uses a lost local ingredient: chestnuts–and a popular current one: local honey. This full-bodied hybrid Belgian-style brown ale brings forward a nutty character from the chestnuts, accented by the flavors of honey, roasted barley and oat flakes. There’s a nice spiciness from the Mt. Rainier hops while Chinooks add a touch of pine. Fuggles and Columbus round out the hop profile. Exit 8 pairs perfectly with hearty foods like roast pork, sausages or a nice aged gouda.

Bottled conditioned, 8.3% abv

New Fermenters and a Grain Silo as Cricket Hill Grows

Lots of exciting news coming from Cricket Hill:

Cricket Hill has purchased 2 additional 30 bbl. Fermenters from Switchback brewery in Burlington, VT. These are the original fermenters that Switchback started with and they were shedding tears as we pulled away! In addition, we are expecting delivery on our grain Silo in late February. All this to keep up with our beer production for our newest distributors! Cricket Hill has signed with SKI distributors for New York city and surrounding counties. We have also signed with G&G distributors for central Connecticut! And lets not forget Loveland Distributors in Richmond VA. The fermenters are expected to be up and running Mid-Feb and will be a welcome addition to our little brewery!

We sadly say good-by to assistant brewer Rob who has decided to pursue a career in the granulation business. We will miss him but we welcome back Colin to fill his spot.

Our March release is in the cooker! Look for this years version of our American Brown Ale that proved to be so popular last year.

Our bourbon barrel aged Russian Imperial Stout and our Sour Bourbon barrel Porter are available at the brewery only and only during our brewery tours.

Join the JJ Bitting Birthday Celebration on February 25th

JJ Bitting Brewing Company has their combo 15th Anniversary in business/Mardi Gras party scheduled for Saturday, February 25th. They will be tapping a celebratory Abbey Ale for the occasion. The Barley Legal Barleywine (9%) is expected to debut around the end of the month too. The WHALES IPA will be a regular beer for the foreseeable future but with a subtle variance in each batch… Something for our hop-head regulars to tune in to. Come in to help them celebrate 15 years in business!

Cape May Brewing Turns on the Love Light with Chocolate Covered Strawberry Stout

Cape May Brewing Company will be releasing their Chocolate Covered Strawberry Stout for Valentine’s Day! Join them on Saturday, February 11th at their tasting room. So romantic!

Moonshine Barley Wine Packing a Punch at Harvest Moon

February is shaping up to be an exciting month at Harvest Moon. A revamped version of their Moonshine Barley Wine will hit the taps sometime mid-month. This years Moonshine Barley Wine is a touch lighter in color, slightly more hop forward than last years and stronger; coming in at 11.5% making it the strongest beer ever brewed at Harvest Moon! Also coming out later this month will be Paddy’s Irish Stout and an Abbey Single. They will also be doing two very limited beers for Valentine’s Day this year: a Strawberry Kolsch and a Raspberry Brown Ale.

SHOREzine Offering Online Tour of Kane Brewing

The online magazine SHOREzine is offering a video tour of Kane Brewing Company. Take a virtual visit to Monmouth County to see one of New Jersey’s newest and most exciting breweries.

Look for High Point at International Great Beer Expo on Saturday 2/4

The High Point Brewing Company will be serving their beers at the International Great Beer Expo in Secaucus on Saturday, February 4th. The second annual event will feature some of the biggest names in brewing. Join them at the Meadowlands Exposition Center.

High Point We will be doing a promotion at The Shannon Rose in Woodbridge on February 8th from 6-8pm.

February Events

The Garden State Craft Brewers Guild website is continuously updated with new events. Check out the calendar to see what’s brewing in New Jersey this month.

It’s that time again for foodies to come out and eat! Downtown Westfield Restaurant Week Winter 2012 will take place Sunday, February 19 – Thursday, March 1. It will run for two weeks excluding Friday and Saturday. Enjoy a two-course Lunch for $10, a two-course Dinner for $20, or a three-course Dinner for $30. For the first time, restaurants have the option to offer either a $20 or $30 dinner, but not both. So make sure to check which dinner option your favorite restaurant has selected. Tax, gratuity and beverages are not included. Reservations are recommended. Please call the restaurant directly to reserve. For more information, contact the Downtown Westfield Corporation 908.789.9444.

Click here for a list of participating restaurants.

Celebrate Love ALL Weekend

Join us Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday for a Special 4-Course Prix-Fixe menu with a wide selection of some of your favorites for $82 per person (plus tax & gratuity)

Visit our website to view our menu

SUNDAY’S LOVERS BRUNCH
12pm – 3pm
Three-Course Prix-Fixe
$42 Per Person (plus tax & gratuity)
With A Complimentary Glass of Champagne

Call NOW for reservations
201.556.1530

Valentine’s Dining at Chakra called über romantic by artful diner on January 24, 2012 From Saturday.

What are you waiting for?

Chakra
West 144 State Rt 4 Eastbound
Paramus, NJ 07652
(201) 556-1530

Our next wine dinner is Tuesday
January 31 6:30PM

RECEPTION
ROSE Jansz NV

FIRST COURSE
Olive Oil Poached Lobster
smoked potatoes, pancetta, green apple
VIOGNIER Yalumba 2009, Barossa

SECOND COURSE
Crispy Chicken Confit
slow roasted tomatoes, white bean puree
GRENACHE Yalumba Bushvine 2008, Barossa

THIRD COURSE
Beef & Barley
entrecote double, mustard and herb crusted, root vegetables, barley, red beet
CABERNET SAUVIGNON Yalumba The Cigar 2009, Coonawarra

DESSERT
Carrot Cake
mascarpone parfait glace, spiced raisin, pineapple, walnuts
MUSCAT Yalumba Museum

$59 per person (plus tax & gratuity)

All wines are served as 2oz. tasting portions

Call for Reservations
201.556.1530
Seats are Limited

Chakra
West 144 State Rt 4 Eastbound
Paramus, NJ 07652
(201) 556-1530

Sorry Cheeseheads, No Wisconsin Cheese on this Burger

Clifton, NJ – January 16 – Following the New York G-Men’s upset victory last night in Green Bay, Zinburger is offering the Big Blue Burger to celebrate the big win and support the team in it’s quest for a fourth professional football championship.

The Big Blue Burger is made with certified Angus beef, Maytag Blue Cheese, two slices of Applewood smoked bacon with lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise. The burger is cooked to order on a griddle in its own juices and served on lightly buttered, brioche-style bun.

“With all due respect to last year’s champions, you won’t find any Wisconsin cheese on the Big Blue Burger,” said Rick Barbrick, President and COO of The Briad Group, licensee for the Clifton Zinburger. “We’d rather serve great burgers and wine than make predictions, but we are planning to have the Big Blue Burger on the menu through Sunday, February 5.“

Zinburger offers weekly burger specials each week. However, The Big Blue Burger will remain on the menu as long as the G-Men stay alive in the quest for a championship.

About Zinburger:

Zinburger, a unique concept centered on gourmet burgers combined with perfectly paired wine selections, is located just a few milesfrom the Meadowlands Sports Complex at The Promenade Shops at Clifton, 850 Route 3, Clifton, New Jersey, 07012. Hours are: Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

For more information, call 973-272-1492 or visit http://www.zinburgernj.com/.

New Flavors Creations with 295 or Fewer Calories Only Taste Indulgent

Clifton, NJ – January 10 – CUPS Frozen Yogurt, the beach-themed self-serve fro-yo concept with locations in Clifton and East Hanover, New Jersey, is making it a little easier on those who have made food-related resolutions this year. Sacrifices and restrictions are out. New treats, with 295 calories or less, that only taste indulgent, are in.

Each week in January, CUPS is featuring a Guiltless Indulgence Creation made with limited-time fro-yo flavors combined with special toppings and sauces. Each lower- calorie creation is loaded with flavor and fun, but have little to no fat and are low calorie.

Schedule:

Week of January 9 – Strawberry Slim Cake

• 6 ounces non-fat Angel Food Cake and non-fat Very Strawberry Swirl fro-yo, 1Ž4 cup sliced strawberries, 1Ž2 tablespoon crushed graham crackers and one tablespoon of Ghirardelli White Chocolate Sauce.

Total calories: 237

Week of January 16 – Maple Bacon Donut De-Light

• 6 ounces of non-fat Maple Bacon Donut fro-yo, 2 tablespoons chocolate sprinkles, and one tablespoon of Ghirardelli Caramel Sauce

Total calories: 260

Week of January 23 – Skinny Toffee Mocha

• 6 ounces of Toffee Mocha fro-yo, one tablespoon sliced almonds and one tablespoon of caramel.

Total calories: 295

The Guiltless Indulgence creations are available each week in January while supplies last. For more information, call 973-386-0702 or visit www.cupsfrozenyogurt.com.

About CUPS Frozen Yogurt:

Since opening in November last year, CUPS has taken the Tri-State area by storm becoming the local hot spot for teenagers and adults alike who make their own fro-yo concoctions choosing from 24 yogurt flavors and over 50 different toppings and three sauces.

CUPS, however, is much more than great frozen yogurt. CUPS was designed around the experience. According to President and COO of The Briad Group, and CUPS co-founder, Rick Barbrick,“CUPs is more of a nightclub kind of experience. We have loud dance music with lighting and murals that give us a little bit of an edgy vibe versus a normal yogurt bar or ice cream shop.”

New CUPS New Jersey locations will be opening soon in East Brunswick, Morristown and Bayonne.

Welcome to the Garden State Craft Brewers Guild Newsletter for January 2012 — keeping you posted on what’s brewing in New Jersey.

Cape May Brewing Releases Imperial IPA

Cape May Brewing Company released their first batch of the Imperial IPA packed with centennial hops in every step of the process. It was so popular it ran out in one hour. They have more in the fermenters so keep an eye on their Facebook page and website for the next release.

Cape May Brewing will be at the 2012 Atlantic City Beer Fest pouring OFS. Look for them there!

They are now on tap at Lucky Bones, Sea Salt and Cabana’s in Cape May. Cape May Brewing Company is looking forward to what 2012 will bring for their small company.

Coming this Month from Flying Fish: Red Fish

From the Flying Fish Brewing Company newswire:

Well, we tried naming this beer Scarlet Fever, but the Feds would not approve our label because it was also the name of a disease. Since we’re plumb out of time and other great name ideas, we’re calling this West Coast hoppy red ale, Red Fish. Columbus, Chinook and Cascade hops give the beer a robust piney nose. Two-row, crystal and cara-red malts give the beer a malty background and a 7% abv.

Red Fish will be available in draft only starting mid-January and only for a short while for now.

Also Coming this Month: Come up with a New Name for Red Fish.

Based on early feedback, we’re thinking of keeping this beer as a full-time offering, but we really want a better name. Send us your suggestions. The winning suggestion will receive a $100 Flying Fish gift card and a couple of goodies from our cellar.

Sweet 15 for JJ Bitting

For the winter months of February and March JJ Bitting Brewing Company will be serving an Abbey Ale to celebrate their 15th anniversary. The “Barley Legal” Barleywine will make its annual return. “Great Scot! Ale”, a 90 Shilling style strong scotch ale, will be available well into February. Keep your eyes out for the introduction of an oak aged cream stout as well!

Kane Brewing Featured in One Year Rare Beer Blowout

Kane Brewing Company will be sending a special beer to the TapHouse Grille in Wayne, NJ for their One Year Rare Beer Blowout! The event takes place Wednesday, January 11th at 6 PM. 24 amazingly rare and unique drafts are featured and paired with food.

Also on tap for Kane:

• 1/11: Beer Dinner and Tasting – Nicchio Ristorante in Belmar, NJ
• 1/19: Beer Tasting Dinner – Salt Creek Grille in Rumson, NJ
• 1/21: As sponsor of the Art House Productions, Snow Ball 2012 Kane Brewing will be pouring beer at the fund raising event in Jersey City.
• 1/27: Meet The Brewery Event – Murphy’s Suds and Sawdust in Rumson, NJ
• 1/28: Kane Brewing will be the featured guest on the “Final Gravity” podcast

Bean There Done That, Vanilla Porter at Krogh’s

Krogh’s Restaurant & Brew Pub, 23 White Deer Plaza, Sparta, will be tapping a Vanilla Porter on Wednesday, 1/11. Come on out of the cold and try this one!

Their next beer will be an Alt Beer followed by an E.S.B., and next month they will be brewing the 2011 Best of Show beer from the NJ State Fair. This year’s winning selection is a Maibok and that will be due out in April.

Happy New Year from Krogh’s! Please call them with any questions or to make a reservation — (973) 729-8428!

Ice Storm Coming from High Point

The High Point Brewing Company gift shop and tasting room will be opened Monday through Friday 9:30 AM-6:30 PM and Saturday from 1-4 PM. These hours are subject to weather conditions so call in advance or check their Facebook page to confirm.

As in previous years, there will be no guided tours until March 10th but samples, self tours and packaged purchases are available during the prescribed gift shop hours.

For fans of Ramstein Ice Storm Icebock, look for availability during end of January. Check their Facebook page to confirm.

All Aboard the Harvest Moon Siberian Express

The Harvest Moon Brewery & Cafe will be tapping their Siberian Express Imperial Stout in the next few weeks. They are also starting a barrel aging program. They will be starting with two bourbon barrels. The first beers from the barrels should be out sometime in February or March.

January Events

The Garden State Craft Brewers Guild website is continuously updated with new events. Check out the calendar to see what’s brewing in New Jersey this month.

Celebrate The New Year
Saturday Night, 12/31
Seating from 5:00 to 11:00

Early Seating Menu 5:00 – 6:00.
A la Carte selections
See the menu

A fabulous option for those with somewhere else to go this festive evening….Even if that is home by the fire.

Later Seating 7:00 to 11:00
Gala Prix Fixe Menu

Special Celebration Holiday menu with choice of appetizer, salad, choice of main course and choice of dessert (plus a chef’s amuse to start).

Want to make it a night, consider a show at The Stress Factory, The State Theater or George Street Playhouse before or after dinner!

Staying late? How about ringing in the New Year watching fireworks from off the roof of the Heldrich! You can see them from our garden room or step out onto the sidewalk in front of the building. No need to leave!

Too tired or too tipsy to drive home, The Heldrich and The Hyatt have a special rate for F&P/New Brunswick Rocks

Holiday Giving
Gift Certificates from the Frog

It’s fast, it’s easy, it will make them happy

• On line at Frogandpeach.com
• By phone 732 846 3216 ext 0
• Drop by 29 Dennis St New Brunswick

Annual Holiday Gift Certificate Deal! Get TWO $50 Gift Certificates for $85
Not available on line, valid after 12/26

The Holiday Season at a Glance:
Our Schedule

The week before Christmas (12/18-12/23): 5-Course Game Tasting Menu with Wine, $164 for TWO. A $60 Savings!

Christmas Eve, Saturday
4:30 to 9:00
Regular Dinner Menu with Holiday Specials

Christmas Day and Monday, 12/26: Closed

Home for the Holiday
Tuesday December 27 – Friday December 30
Dinner: 5-Course Game Tasting Menu with Wine, $164 for TWO.
Lunch: 1/2 price Burger and $25 Prix Fixe
Works really well for those going to the theater or just being with friends and family.

New Year’s Eve (see details above)
Saturday December 31
Seating from 5:00 – 11:00

New Year’s Day and Monday 1/2: Closed

Holiday Parties, Still Time

We still have some availabilities during the week before Christmas. Call Jack and let us arrange your holiday entertaining. Friends, Family or Colleagues, they will be toasting you for having done the right thing.

Like us, too busy to celebrate? Make plans for early January and start the New Year right.
Private spaces for groups ranging from 8 up.

See the Party section of our website

Reach Jack at 732 846 3216 ext. 16 or partyplanner@frogandpeach.com

Mark Altom “Beer vs. Wine Show Down Dinner”
Friday February 3, 2012. $115 all inclusive.

Whoever would have guessed that wine maven Mark Altom also drinks beer! This dinner is going to take a larger than usual team of F&P professionals to pull off! Each course of the dinner will be matched with one beer and one wine: attendees will vote for the best pairing. Our beloved regular Mark Altom will be choosing the wines and his colleague Steve Ashton, the opposing beers. Chef Bruce Lefebvre has devised the menu (even-handedly of course). GM/Wine Guy Jim Mullen has enlisted the talents of Head Bar Tender Phil Fazio for his expertise on beer. Let the game begin!

On the Burner for early 2012

• Draft Beer returns to The F&P. We’re not a ‘shot and beer’ joint but we do have some really great beers. Starting in early January, we wil be offering Hand crafted, small batch beer on tap. Just a couple at a time, in addition to our bottled beers; optimally fresh, something you can’t find everywhere, something special.
• Local Seafood Tasting Menu. Replacing the Game Tasting on or around January 11, Chef Bruce will be introducing a 5 Course Winter Seafood Tasting Menu. Yes, out of Point Pleasant and Cape May, while the summer crowds are long gone, the fishing boats are still going out into the cold Atlantic to bring in an abundance of cold water seafood. Among possible selections are monkfish, scallops, squid, fluke, golden tile, lobster, clams, black sea bass, mackerel, whiting, and porgy. Available with or without wine paired to each course.
• Valentine’s Day: Tuesday February 14. A Special Prix Fixe Menu. 3-Course plus Chef Amuse. Or make it a weekend celebration and dine a la carte Friday – Monday.
• Mullen on Wine: The Great Wine Regions of Italy in Three Classes. Fridays in March: 16, 23 & 30
  The sequel to the 2010 French wines class, General Manager and Wine guy Jim Mullen shares his passion and knowledge about wine, this year landing in Italy. The course can be taken as a series of 3 or just a class or two. Also included in the grand-package is the Italian Wine Dinner in April. Choose how much or how little you want to participate in.
  $130 for all three classes
  For all 3 classes and dinner on April 14, $235
  $55 for individaul class
  Dinner seperately $125
• Italian Wine Dinner: Saturday April 14, 2012. The culmination of our Italian wine class (see above) top wines introduced in the weeks before matched with Bruces best efforts
  $125 including tax and tip

Frog and the Peach
29 Dennis St
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 846-3216

Our next wine dinner is Tuesday December 20th 6:30PM with Lou Insel, Regional Manager of Kobrand

RECEPTION
Oysters on the Half Shell
DOMAINE CARNEROS Brut 2007
60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay

FIRST COURSE
Foie Gras Galette
grape gelee, marcona almonds
TAITTINGER Brut La Francaise

SECOND COURSE
Lacquered Duck Breast
sweet potato cake, savoy cabbage
DOAMINE CARNEROS Pinot Noir 2008

DESSERT
“Passion 4 Champagne”
four tastings of passion fruit and champagne
DOMAINE CARNEROS Brut Rose Damask

$59 per person (plus tax & gratuity)

Call for Reservations
201.556.1530
Seats are Limited

Chakra
West 144 State Rt 4 Eastbound
Paramus, NJ 07652
(201) 556-1530
www.chakrarestaurant.com