Tag Archives: craftbeergal

2021 Breweries to Visit – Source Farmhouse Brewery

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I’ve been busy working my way through my 2021 Breweries to Visit list but this particular visit to Source Farmhouse Brewery was much anticipated having heard so many great things about Source and being a big fan of Farmhouse beers. From the minute you turn and see the brewery you know you arrived some place special. So much so that for a moment I just stood out front taking it all in. That was after I turned around from accidentally driving past the brewery. Source sits back and I was so busy looking at the distillery that sits out front…what can I say I zoomed right by the brewery.

As I was making my way to the entrance the aroma of roasting malts was in the air. This wonderful smell made me smile and also made me realize this was something I’ve been missing. I’m not sure that last time I smelled anything brewing on a brewery visit and I miss that. I guess the timing was just right on this particularly gorgeous Friday afternoon in August.

The Jersey heat was hanging on but being a bit more kind on this particular day and the awful humidity was finally taking a retreat which enabled me to enjoy a beer outside rather than spending the entire visit inside. However, both the inside and outside are beautiful and offer plenty of seating to relax and kick back with a beer. Inside there are high top barrel tables and picnic tables on the main level as well as additional seating in the upstairs loft area that would be a great space for a small group. From the loft you can access the outside upper deck which, also, leads to the grounds. The outside area is lush with plenty of seating spread out around the lawn area with more seating on the patio section. To say the expansive outside area is beautiful is an understatement. The beauty of this South Jersey brewery grounds reminds you just how special Jersey is and why it’s called the Garden State. Please folks stop thinking of the congestion of North Jersey and the horrendous Jersey Shore show as representation of all Jersey is because she’s a special Gal with so much to offer.

I enjoyed my first two beers inside. Looking at the diverse tap list I knew I had some tough decisions to make. There were seven to eights beers I wanted to try but had to limit myself and be responsible for the drive home. No flights but they do offer half pours and tasters. I started with half pours of the Summer Saison – Farmhouse Saison 6% and the Socal West – West Coast IPA 7.4% (Woohoo WC IPA!) The Saison was everything I love in Saison from the herbal hops, to the citrus and ginger with the slightly peppery finish. The Socal West…first I want to thank Source for having a West Coast IPA on tap, Thank you!…this IPA was spot on a smooth and crisp IPA full of hop bitterness that ends dry with a variety of citrus fruits and pine in between.

Next up I did something I haven’t done in a very long time. I ordered a sour beer. I used to love sours and for years begged for breweries to brew more of this style. I learned the hard way careful what you ask for. Most are not for me but on this day, I was intrigued by the Good Ribes – Sweet Tart Ale w/ Currants & Vanilla 5%. It was tart without being overly so; yet it’s the tartness I enjoyed because my fear was it would be sweet with the vanilla and currants. It wasn’t. It was a pleasant, thirst quenching easy to drink beer with such a pleasant tart finish. Followed that up with a half pour of the Ultra Motueka – Imperial IPA 8% I didn’t realize when I ordered it that it was a NE style DIPA but I looked past that when drinking it. With bits of tropical fruits, some earthy herbs and a hit of lime it made for an enjoyable beer. I enjoyed it so much I bought a four pack. I was on a roll mixing it up that day.

Last pour for this Gal was the Source of Cheers Munich Style Helles Lager 5.4% this beer is only available for half liter and full liter pours so went for the half. This beer really did bring me back to Germany with its bread/malt sweetness and hop bitterness. An easy drinking beer is always a good way to end a summer day brewery visit. Decided to have another out of the box moment and buy a four pack of this beer as well.

What I truly loved about Source is their passion and love for what they do not only shows in the beer they brew but in the positive energy that zips around the brewery and within the professional, friendly and helpful staff. It’s a bit of a drive for me but I know I’ll be making regular treks to Source because their beer is great, I love the vibe of the place and it’s now one of my Top 5 fav breweries!

Source Farmhouse Brewery ~ FB ~ IG ~ Kid Friendly ~ Dogs are welcome outside

Bissell Brothers Brewing

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To say Bissell Brothers Brewing has been on my Breweries to Visit list for some time would be an understatement. As the saying goes…All in good time and that time finally arrived. I decided I’d be making two stops this year on my beloved trek north to Maine – Bissell Brothers Brewing (Portland Location) and Maine Beer Co.

I had no preconceived thoughts as to what BBB would be like but they didn’t disappoint. They are located a bit off the beaten path, aren’t most breweries, in an old railway building. So yea, the building is pretty cool with its rustic charm and the vibe is bright, energetic and fun! There’s a very nice patio area for outdoor enjoyment and inside the main floor is large with plenty of seating and there’s also a small upper level as well. You order at the bar, the line moves quickly and the staff is very friendly and helpful. There were 14 beers on tap and the list was broken up by IPA & Hop-Forward, Dark & Malty, Lager & Traditional and Funky & Wild. I think the way they had the tap list is very helpful and cuts down on a lot of questions from folks.

Pilsner

Beings there was a Pilsner on tap and that’s my fav style right now, yea I said it, I went with that first. Precept Pilsner 5.6% – Oh yum! This pilsner was so crisp and clean. This particular pilsner uses Mittelfruh & Saaz hops along with Maine Pilsner malts. The malt to hops ratio was spot on and it was the perfect refresher after sitting in the car for 6 hours.

Next up I enjoyed the Zoo Hypothesis Double IPA 7.7% – What a treat this DIPA was. It’s made with Lotus, Citrus and Mosaic hops along with 2-row, Maine Oats & Maine Wheat malts. The nose consists of a variety of fruits including tropical along with orange and grapefruit. The orange and grapefruit are the forward tastes balanced by earthy herbs and spices.

DIPA

I was surprised they offered a selection of food from tacos, sandwiches and burgers along with a kid’s menu as well. They also offer wine, craft cider and soda

Because we still had a stop at Maine Beer Company and the rest of the drive to our final desertion I had to make do with just enjoying the two beers this visit but I look forward to a return trip.

Bissell Brothers Brewing ~ Fb ~ IG

2021 Breweries to Visit – Icarus

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Even though my 2020 Breweries to Visit list…oh heck we all know what happened to any plans made in 2020. The fact that 2020 was a wash didn’t stop me from making my 2021 Breweries to Visit list. This year’s list focuses heavily only #NJCraftBeer with a few PA breweries in the mix and so far I’m on track with visits. My latest stop was to Icarus Brewing in Lakewood, NJ. I’ve been hearing so many good things about their beer and had to check it out for myself.

I recently met a friend there on a rainy afternoon so outside sitting wasn’t going to work. However, on nice days there is a small makeshift seating area in the parking lot in front of the brewery. Parking appears to be limited unless I missed a second lot. We chose to go early on a Friday in hopes it wouldn’t be crowded at 1:30pm and our plan worked.

The brewery is much smaller than I imagined but the layout doesn’t make you feel cramped and even though it’s in a warehouse they have it set up to be warm and inviting. There are only a handful of tables with the tables along the wall having hanging dividers between them. There are also hooks along the wall and under the bar to hang purses and coats or whatever, as well as, charging outlets. Very nice touch! (no bar seating right now) Since I had my pups with me I chose the corner table next to the bar which was really out of the way from others.

The tap list is diverse from Pilsner, IPA, Pale Ale, Fruit, Stouts and Quads on tap. I was excited to see two Pilsners on the list, my go to style right now and stuck to them and IPA’s for this trip. I was happy with all my choices. The Three B’s Pilsner 6.9% and Pound of Feathers Imperial Pilsner 7.1% both were well done, clean and crisp and my favs of the day. I enjoyed the Pound of Feathers so much I bought 4 pack for my brother. I also really enjoyed the Piner West Coast IPA 7.4%. I love a good old school W.C. IPA and the Piner was exactly what I was in the mood for with hints of pine and citrus.

The artwork on the walls is fun and I even spotted a Grateful Dead painting so you know that made this Gal happy. The have a large collection of vinyl that they play and I love that they display the album sleeve of what is currently playing. Another nice touch!

We brought our own food to enjoy. I stopped on the way to Icarus at Mama Dude’s a fantastic little mom & pop farm to table take out joint…highly recommend them. We enjoyed lunch, beers and catching up which really made for such a relaxing afternoon.

Right now seating is limited to 90 minutes if crowded, no flights and there’s a take out window up front for purchases. The staff is friendly and happy to answer any questions and the brewery is dog friendly. Mama T. and Sullivan felt very welcomed.

Icarus Brewing ~ Facebook ~ Web ~ IG