Garden State Brewers Festival 6/27/15
Aboard the Battleship New Jersey

This is surely becoming one of this Gal’s favorite beer festivals especially with so many new breweries opening up in New Jersey the past year. This festival provides the opportunity to try the best New Jersey has to offer in one place.

This year saw a bit of controversy with ABC limiting attendees  to 15 tickets each. Some where very upset by this but really folks this is still 5 pints worth of beer. I understand being upset that the change was announced after tickets were sold but it’s the ABC not the Brewers Guild who made the change. For the most part this is a very well organized event considering the last minute regulation changes and the uncooperative weather as in POURING rain. POURING!

In preparation for the tasting I printed out the beer list prior to my departure and highlighted the ones I most wanted to try. Being there were so many new breweries I hadn’t tried yet I knew some of my old favorites would have to take a back seat.

As usual there are just too many beers to review in depth but I’ll give you this Gal’s highlights:

Breweries Most Interested in Trying – this is hard because there were so many breweries I hadn’t tried before. Demented, Flounder, Little Dog, Third State, Forgotten Boardwalk

Beer Most Interested in Trying – Tie Flying Fish Brotherly Suds Philly Pharmhouse brewed for Philly Beer Week by Multiple Brewers and made with pretzels – enjoyable. Tied with Lunacy Rocket Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout – you know this Gal and stouts. Very good but didn’t taste the Peanut Butter.

Most Interesting Beer of the Day – Forgotten Boardwalk What the Butler Saw Wit with Orange and Lavender. I’m not even sure how to describe this one but it worked. I’m loving Forgotten Boardwalk and need to pay a visit soon.

Most Surprised by – Little Dog Linzer Tart. I’m not big on fruit beers but this kicked butt. Their Steinerweiss German-Style Wheat was fabulous as well.

A Favorite – Hearthstone Grille Black Arrow Black Ale – loving the black ales

I really wanted to try the  Carton Dune Fruit but was thoroughly so bummed to find they ran out  before I got to try it. Sour ale made with Prickly Pear Cactus.

Favorite Beer of the Day – for the second year it a row it goes to Kane Brewing this year for their Mexican Brunch. Kane is truly becoming a favorite of this Gal’s

Until next year!