Monthly Archives: October 2014

Long Valley Pub & Brewery

IMG_1842Long Valley Pub & Brewery – Long Valley, New Jersey

Long Valley Pub& Brewery has been on my list of beer places to visit for a few years. Finally the day arrived for a beautiful fall drive to the brewery. The drive is beautiful and builds the excitement for the final destination. The setting for Long Valley Pub & Brewery is perfect for kicking back with a fine beer and taking in the fall foliage show.

The brewery is very picturesque with outdoor seating/bar area and a rustic ski lodge setting inside. On this particular day the fire place was roaring adding to the overall fall feel. The brewery is 2 stories high with lots of stone and natural wood adding to the overall coziness of the place even though it is actually very large with 2 bars inside and plenty of seating.

IMG_1845My companion and I were seated upstairs and fortunately he had a view of what ever sporting event was on the TV and I had a perfect view of the roaring fire. Win win seating.

Immediately upon being seat I started to peruse the beer menu and, of course, settled on ordering the sample round. With six beers on tap there was no other way to go.

Pan-Seared Scallops
Pan-Seared Scallops

To accompany my beer I ordered the Pan-seared Scallops which were fresh and seared perfectly. I really can’t emphasis enough how good the scallops were. My companion had the French Onion Soup and the Blackened Chicken Alfredo. I’m told the soup had a rich flavor and the Alfredo was delish. High props go out to Miguel G. for excellent service.

Beers Reviewed Left to Right
Beers Reviewed Left to Right

Hookerman’s Light
Delicate  light body beer with fruit accents; a true light beer.

American Pale Ale
Well done, very enjoyable without the knock you off your stool hops.

German Valley Amber
This Gal loves German style beers.  Good balance of malts & hops with a tinge of bitterness and a finishes strong.

Lazy Jake Porter
Winner of the round! Good hearty blend of roasted barley and malts with accents of hops make this a hearty full body porter.

Grist Mill Golden Ale
Very light body with some hints of citrus and hops but overall not whole lot going on. Perfect for someone looking for a real light beer or a good intro to craft beer.

Oktoberfest Style
True German lager – clean and tasty with malts and just a tinge of hops.

Would love to have tried the award winning Nut Brown Ale but sadly it wasn’t on tap. Oh  well, I guess I’ll just have to go back.

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Porter
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Apple Crisp

My companion and I, well really me, decided to wrap up the visit with a splurge and treat ourselves to a sweet ending of Fresh Apple Crisp which paired wonderfully with a full pint of the porter. A perfect ending to beautiful Fall outing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kane Brewing Tap Takeover

Kane Brewing Tap Takeover

IMG_1797[2]Tough decision to make between a standing commitment and a Kane Brewing Tap Takeover just around the corner from work. Well never one to back out of a commitment this Gal found a way to fit them both in!

Kane had my favorite beer at the Garden State Brewers Festival (Morning Bell) back in June and since than I’ve tried their beer when ever given the chance – never being disappointed. It’s high on my list of breweries to visit but just haven’t made it yet…soon.

Left to Right
Left to Right

Civil Twilight Barrel Aged Imperial Stout 3.7% – Everything I wanted it to be and more. Same robust roasted malt flavors but in a lighter body stout.

Nom de Plom Saison 7.8% – More full body than expected, good sour quality, as well as the spices and fruits one associates with a saison. Ranks up their with Saisons the folks from Belgium brew.

Single Fin Belgian Ale 5% – Very good intro beer – easy drinking, underlying Belgium quality no one ingredient overpowers but rather blends and compliments one another.  Great for warmer weather and would pair nicely with fish and/or grilled veggies.

Overhead Imperial IPA 8% – The hops over powered the rest of the flavors, pretty much what I was anticipating from an Imperial IPA. For sure hop head heaven.

Ripple Session Ale 4.6%– Taken back at first, dissipates quickly as if melting in in your mouth but leaves strong after taste of hops – a weird strong watery constancy but with a full body flavorful taste. I found this beer strangely fascinating.

Head High IPA 6.5% – Strong hop nose, combo of  West Coast Hops with accented by grapefruit make for a very crisp, clean IPA. I have to say I really liked it and, as most know by now, I’m not a big hops fan.

Overall it was one hit after another. Kane Brewing is surely making it’s way up my list of favorite breweries. They are definitely in my top 10 and working towards the top 5. This Gal hopes to visit the brewery soon.

*Kane Brewing just one a medal at the 2014 GABF for A Night to End All Dawns Stout.