Brew Pubs and Microbreweries in Central and Northern New Jersey

J.J. Bitting. The brew pub is located in Woodbridge, NJ right at the end of Main Street (otherwise known as 514) in an entirely brick building positioned next to the Central New Jersey located Woodbridge train station and police department (be careful driving home!). It is accessible from several major highways including the Parkway, 287, Route 1, and Route 9. Inside, the pub appears like any other sports pub and have themed nights like karaoke on Sundays and Guitar Hero on Wednesdays. Check the website for new events and activities. The pub also serves typical pub food like burgers, fries, and wings with a sit down dining area and a separate large area for the bar. Some of the unique beers on tap include: raspberry wheat ale and an India pale ale (IPA).

Triumph Brewing Company. There are three different Triumphs, but this is the only one in New Jersey (the other two are in New Hope, PA and Philadelphia, PA. The Princeton location is at 138 Nassau Street (Princeton's "main strip") and is open until 2 am from Thursday through Saturday. The large brewery has formal sit down tables, bar, stools, and more casual seats in front of the bar. The brewery has an extensive beer and wine list with knowledgeable staff members who can assist you in which to pick. Entrees range from $15-$29. You can check online for the beers on tap at each establishment at any given time, and each location has about 6 or 7 different and unique specials. As of February 2010 the Princeton location had one IPA on tap and an extra special bitter.

Harvest Moon. Located in New Brunswick, on George Street, Harvest Moon is a bar downstairs with a dining area upstairs. There are typically about 8 beers on tap including the Jimmy D's Firehouse Red to commemorate a local firefighter (James D'heron) who lost his life on the job in 2004. The food is fairly cheap and the ambiance is a nice contract to the various nearby college and sports bars.

Gaslight Brewery in Northern New Jersey (South Orange) is the first place anyone interested in learning how to or starting to brew their own beer. The beer at the brewery, open since 1988, is average, but the brewery sells an entire catalog of grains, hops, and yeast to start brewing your own beer at home. The Beverage Tasting Institute, in May 2005, awarded three gold medals for outstanding beers to the Gaslight. The brewery has about eight beers on tap and always try to have at least one lager.

The Ship Inn Restaurant & Brewery. Located at 61 Bridge Street in Milford, New Jersey, an English pub in the Delaware Valley Region, it claims to be the first brew pub in New Jersey since prohibition. Located in a lesser known and traveled part of New Jersey, the pub is in a Victorian style home. The restaurant serves British pub fare. The brewery makes their unfiltered beers in something called a Peter Austin system. Tours providing information on the brewing process and the history of brewing beer are available upon request.