What's Happening in NJ? Releases, News, Gatherings

[Newmoneyloons]

Thanks glennl for talking shop and tap handles last night. Sacre Coeur, Kane's new quad is amazing and done so well. It was really enjoyable and looking to pick up a few bottles on sunday. Finally an american brewery can do a belgian quad right.

 

[Stewmeister91]

I stopped by Twin Elephant last Friday and have to say I was disappointed. I will chalk that up to growing pains for now since they just opened, and hopefully that is the case as they are located less than a mile from my office.

I arrived at 4:00 when they opened hoping to get a quick sample flight and two 32 ounce growlers since they have a 64 oz growler limit given their size. I was maybe 9th or 10th in line. It took a little more than an hour for me to get to the front of the line and place my order. From what I could see during this time, they had significant carbonation issues with a few of their draft lines. Pints were served with about 3/4s beer and 1/4 foam that did not dissipate. They were regularly running to the back trying to fix the carbonation issue, but it persisted and caused significant delays. I was by myself, but could hear both people in front of me and behind me complaining of how long it took just to place an order, as the line length did not justify the wait time. I noticed that several people behind me in line simply walk out rather than wait for the beer.

The beer itself was very underwhelming. There was little hop presence in the IPA, the saison was over powered by yeast flavors, and each of the beer suffered from over carbonation making it difficult to actually drink the flight pour. Each of the beers suffered from muted flavors, as well as thin and watery mouthfeel.

I did bring two growlers home (saison and IPA) hoping that if I let some of the carbonation out and let it mellow, there would be improvement, but there was not.

This is only meant only for the purposes of constructive criticism, but there is no reason you should have people walking out on a line that way. Also, I think it was a bit ambitious on their part to have seven beers on tap at once considering their size and equipment, rather than focusing on and fine tuning a few core beers. These are fixable issues, and I will stop by again in a month or so since it is close by to see if there have been improvements, because the staff was nice and the bar is very cool looking.

I saw their Facebook post last night which said they would be closed until early June because they sold out of beer.

 

[pythonhgr]

I saw their Facebook post last night which said they would be closed until early June because they sold out of beer.

well that's just.. embarrassing

 

[blur72]

extremely high-density population combined with brewery sparsity in area will really make any brewery in the Chatham/Summit/BH area sell quickly unless their beer is truly awful, which Twin Elephant's wasn't -- it was just bland and exceedingly basic, but not offensive -- and that's enough for a lot of (especially older) clientele in the area to revisit and spend the $6.50 per pint.

I think they'll do fine from a business perspective as a result, based purely on location and the fact that many residents in that area won't think twice about the pricing, but I hope that doesn't inspire an onslaught of no-frills red ales, browns and thin IPAs "just to get the job done". I guess based on early descriptions of their homebrewing experience I was expecting more command and innovation - and small batches can accommodate that easier. again, still early, but not impressed; I think their demo is more toward older first-time brewery visitors as opposed to those familiar with the craft beer scene, so my impression is more niche-based than that of the typical customer.

 

[Gene1]

extremely high-density population combined with brewery sparsity in area will really make any brewery in the Chatham/Summit/BH area sell quickly unless their beer is truly awful, which Twin Elephant's wasn't -- it was just bland and exceedingly basic, but not offensive -- and that's enough for a lot of (especially older) clientele in the area to revisit and spend the $6.50 per pint.

I think they'll do fine from a business perspective as a result, based purely on location and the fact that many residents in that area won't think twice about the pricing, but I hope that doesn't inspire an onslaught of no-frills red ales, browns and thin IPAs "just to get the job done". I guess based on early descriptions of their homebrewing experience I was expecting more command and innovation - and small batches can accommodate that easier. again, still early, but not impressed; I think their demo is more toward older first-time brewery visitors as opposed to those familiar with the craft beer scene, so my impression is more niche-based than that of the typical customer.

You're too right. Mediocre beer will sell continuously to the locals just because it's nearby, which is a sad trend.

 

[Ben1]

You're too right. Mediocre beer will sell continuously to the locals just because it's nearby, which is a sad trend.

Preface: This is about new breweries in general, not targeted at Twin Elephant. I have yet to visit so holding off to pass judgment until that time.

That being said. This is the reason why I no longer champion the whole "Drink Local" mantra as aggressively. There is far too much good beer in NJ and a bit further down the road to champion someone who is pedaling an inferior product for the sake of having a local brewery. Scale is no longer an excuse to put out poorly made product. There is now a growing wave of high quality beer coming out of NJ that does not carry a Kane or Carton label and making sure they do not get grouped in with the shittier "local" beer we've had to suffer through and continue to see pop-up is imperative to changing the way even the casual beer drinker views NJ beer.

 

[Stewmeister91]

Preface: This is about new breweries in general, not targeted at Twin Elephant. I have yet to visit so holding off to pass judgment until that time.

That being said. This is the reason why I no longer champion the whole "Drink Local" mantra as aggressively. There is far too much good beer in NJ and a bit further down the road to champion someone who is pedaling an inferior product for the sake of having a local brewery. Scale is no longer an excuse to put out poorly made product. There is now a growing wave of high quality beer coming out of NJ that does not carry a Kane or Carton label and making sure they do not get grouped in with the shittier "local" beer we've had to suffer through and continue to see pop-up is imperative to changing the way even the casual beer drinker views NJ beer.

Will brewery openings and closings eventually mirror restaurants comings and goings. Stay open for a few years and then disappear based on success and viability?

In the past breweries seemed like a lifetime commitment, but who knows.

 

[Ben1]

Will brewery openings and closings eventually mirror restaurants comings and goings. Stay open for a few years and then disappear based on success and viability?

In the past breweries seemed like a lifetime commitment, but who knows.

With the major red tape hurdles being taken down I think we will definitely see more breweries appear but there are still considerable barriers to entry compared to the restaurant industry.

The tipping point will be when breweries become so saturated in the market that used equipment will be easier to come by. Right now almost all new breweries are buying new equipment which is a huge cash investment upfront. Breweries of the past were a life commitment because of the amount of money you had to invest forced you to grow very slowly if you didn't have bags of cash from the jump. You would need there to be so much equipment out in the market available at brewery closing fire sales to replicate the "pop-up" restaurant effect some towns and cities see.

I would also argue that customer retention for a brewery is much higher then your typical restaurant. I frequent 6-7 different restaurants on a consistent basis but I probably only drink beer consistently from 2 breweries.

 

[CoinStarChange]

Preface: This is about new breweries in general, not targeted at Twin Elephant. I have yet to visit so holding off to pass judgment until that time.

That being said. This is the reason why I no longer champion the whole "Drink Local" mantra as aggressively. There is far too much good beer in NJ and a bit further down the road to champion someone who is pedaling an inferior product for the sake of having a local brewery. Scale is no longer an excuse to put out poorly made product. There is now a growing wave of high quality beer coming out of NJ that does not carry a Kane or Carton label and making sure they do not get grouped in with the shittier "local" beer we've had to suffer through and continue to see pop-up is imperative to changing the way even the casual beer drinker views NJ beer.

On top of this, some craft beer bars are willing to sacrifice national brands, that do make quality craft beer. Instead, the opt for local craft beer that may not be as good, but it's 'local.' A fine line to tread as a bar.

A certain venue in Asbury Park used to carry a quality craft brewery, but then they went to another local option that was cheaper, but 'local.'

 

[Os]

sadly, we are not the target consumer for most of these breweries or bars...

"local" is the easiest marketing label to push beer on the casual drinker... probably easier than "IPA"

 

[MKtheGeneral]

sadly, we are not the target consumer for most of these breweries or bars...

"local" is the easiest marketing label to push beer on the casual drinker... probably easier than "IPA"

Please... tell me more about your Blue Moon-esque wheat ale...

 

[Stewmeister91]

With the major red tape hurdles being taken down I think we will definitely see more breweries appear but there are still considerable barriers to entry compared to the restaurant industry.

The tipping point will be when breweries become so saturated in the market that used equipment will be easier to come by. Right now almost all new breweries are buying new equipment which is a huge cash investment upfront. Breweries of the past were a life commitment because of the amount of money you had to invest forced you to grow very slowly if you didn't have bags of cash from the jump. You would need there to be so much equipment out in the market available at brewery closing fire sales to replicate the "pop-up" restaurant effect some towns and cities see.

I would also argue that customer retention for a brewery is much higher then your typical restaurant. I frequent 6-7 different restaurants on a consistent basis but I probably only drink beer consistently from 2 breweries.

The success of "craft" has also led to some of these new breweries opening TO get bought by the big boys. It's a business model from those on the fringe who see a market "blowing up."

That being said, if we get more good beer in the market then good for all of us. Just takes a little more time to sift thru the mediocrity. It's also another reason you need to be on your game out of the gate. I'm going to give a local brewery three chances, at most, before I move on.

 

[hopsandhorns]

I have come to spread more Conclave love. Timmush please build a teleporter.

 

[hopsandhorns]

Let your beer/food draw crowds, not your marketing, if you're really interested in what you do. Of course you have to market, but when restaurants have yelp reviews and Facebook reviews before the doors open, give me a break.

So I've been doing some reading in this thread to gauge the crowd, but this was absolutely the one post that I wanted to respond to.

I had this conversation with Timmush a month ago. It almost seems "unconventional" now to do things like "word of mouth". It's why I am almost weary of going to a new brewery and by new, I'd say anything under 3-6 months. If you look at a map of Jersey and the location of all 50+ breweries, there's quite the amount of locations that seem just happy to get a brewery regardless of the quality.

Fortunately, I live 10 minutes from Carton and 20 from Kane but also live less than 30 minutes from breweries I'd not regularly visit unless Augie and Michael were to personally ban me... and even then I might not.

I'm more interested in the places that have that passion and that interest because they are behind their product rather than in front of it.

 

[pythonhgr]

I'm with a lot of people in this thread that just because "drink local" means it's "better beer". There are a few that are building a lot of momentum that I really can't figure out why. Totally could be me not enjoying them because of personal taste, but after a while I question how I can't like THAT many beers...

 

[gregkoko]

I'm with a lot of people in this thread that just because "drink local" means it's "better beer". There are a few that are building a lot of momentum that I really can't figure out why. Totally could be me not enjoying them because of personal taste, but after a while I question how I can't like THAT many beers...

Canned IPAs = Auto Hype

 

[CoinStarChange]

blahblahblah Head High cans today, blahblahblah

I'll be there tomorrow

 

[hopsandhorns]

Back from Puerto Rico - craving session ales and single IPAs like crazy. The heat down there has me suffering palate lag.

 

[hopsandhorns]

Went to Carton, couldn't bring myself to drink anything other than BOAT and HopPun. Was really wanting some Heart of Glass today. Weird what 100 degree weather for a few days will do to you. Had a convo with the lady about it in the past few days... Heart of Glass is ridiculous. Love it.

 

[pythonhgr]

anyone try the new bolero can?

 

[skrip]

anyone try the new bolero can?

yeah i actually really like it! spot on lemon meringue pie! this series has been my favorite from Bolero, the key lime fell a little short though...

 

[doctorstiffington]

So I've been doing some reading in this thread to gauge the crowd, but this was absolutely the one post that I wanted to respond to.

I had this conversation with Timmush a month ago. It almost seems "unconventional" now to do things like "word of mouth". It's why I am almost weary of going to a new brewery and by new, I'd say anything under 3-6 months. If you look at a map of Jersey and the location of all 50+ breweries, there's quite the amount of locations that seem just happy to get a brewery regardless of the quality.

Fortunately, I live 10 minutes from Carton and 20 from Kane but also live less than 30 minutes from breweries I'd not regularly visit unless Augie and Michael were to personally ban me... and even then I might not.

I'm more interested in the places that have that passion and that interest because they are behind their product rather than in front of it.

And of course this describes timmush and Conclave which is why we both champion this place. Great place that deserves any success they get.

 

[Os]

history has told me not to be excited about anything until after they open and I've had a chance to try it myself... Tim and Carl over at Conclave were an exception as I just knew what they could do...

I'm also excited for CzigMeister...

 

[Timmush1]

history has told me not to be excited about anything until after they open and I've had a chance to try it myself... Tim and Carl over at Conclave were an exception as I just knew what they could do...

I'm also excited for CzigMeister...

I'm saving my Hackettstown trip until CzigMeister opens (unless I'm visiting acurtis )

 

[Stewmeister91]

I'm saving my Hackettstown trip until CzigMeister opens (unless I'm visiting acurtis )

Hasn't Hacketstown had like 4 breweries open this year?

 

[Timmush1]

Hasn't Hacketstown had like 4 breweries open this year?

Hacketstown has 2 open now and then czig opens soon. Hackensack has one new one also. (Hack confusion maybe )

 

[ripps1]

Speaking of Czig.

 

[axeman91821]

I'm saving my Hackettstown trip until CzigMeister opens (unless I'm visiting acurtis )

I didn't know Hackettstown has a seniors living facility.

 

[Timmush1]

I didn't know Hackettstown has a seniors living facility.

 

[benz08]

I didn't know Hackettstown has a seniors living facility.

They have many active adult communities. Also a college. Alan is young at heart