The past several years have seen a vast increase in a return to "eating local," that is, eating food that is sourced from the area near to the place you live or are currently located. The resurgence of natural and organic farms coupled with the growth of farm stands and farmer's markets has made this endeavor quite easy. However, the "drink local" movement has been slower to catch on, especially for wine drinkers, who may prefer bottles from France or Spain to accompany their Hudson Valley heritage pork or Jersey tomatoes. That said, the boom in small breweries has led to a multitude of choices for beer drinkers, with a panoply of options to be found right in ones own backyard. When we are "in town" (as opposed to traveling the world) we spend time down at the Jersey shore, and this past weekend we were lucky enough to be invited to hear some bands play at the Asbury Park Brewery. We were previously unaware of this very cool space serving excellent brew right off Main Street. Next time you are down there between Thursday and Sunday, make a point visit this little slice of hops heaven at the Jersey Shore.
The welcoming terrace is a great place to sample a flight of beers with friends on a late summer or autumn afternoon.
They really make beer here!
Ever wonder how beer is made? A simple wall mural en route to the tasting room explains the process.
The open floor and side bar provide a terrific space to hear live music while sampling house-made beer.
Four basic styles are brewed year round, with seasonal specials added to round out the offerings.
The roasted stout was our pick on the night we visited.
Reclaimed wood settees and tables create comfortable spaces for sipping beer and listening to live music.
Erotic Novels, the band: Chris Tull (guitar), Bobby C. (drums) and Shannon Perez (bass and vocals) wowed the crowd with their powerful post-punk sound on Sunday, August 20.