Top Microbrews in New Jersey

Microbreweries have been a trendy alternative to the corporate giants since the late 1970s. Once the word strictly meant breweries that produced a smaller amount of beer (no more than 15,000 barrels annually), but now the idea has spread to the general attitude of the beer maker. A microbrewery has more flexibility and a quest to brew the best beer with the fullest, freshest taste. Every area of the country has a few standout microbreweries and the Garden State is no exception. Here are a few notables to be found in New Jersey.

Flying Fish, Cherry Hill

There's a (bad) joke about being from New Jersey, "What exit are you from," referring to the exits that mark the east/west New Jersey Turnpike. The Flying Fish microbrewery has taken this concept and applied it to a line of craft beers, thusly named The Exit Series. The beers in this series feature a unique aspect of whatever exit they are named after. The beer featuring my exit, Exit 1, is brewed with oysters. Yes, oysters, because this region hugs the Delaware Bay and is a major supplier of oysters for a major part of the country. They have several other exits beers developed and plan to add more in the future.

Flying Fish beers are available in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware beer outlets. The brewery does events and allows for tours on Saturdays when they are working in Cherry Hill. The public is allowed to buy up to 2 six-packs after a tour.

The Tun Tavern, Atlantic City

The Tun is technically a brewpub, which is a microbrewery that serves food. Attached the Sheraton and located across the street from the Atlantic City Convention Center, the Tun is a nice place to grab a sandwich or terrific steak. But it is a wonderful place to sample freshly brewed beer. Their Tun Light is a light bodied, refreshing golden ale. It is made with a sprinkle of both German and American hops and tastes slightly malty. For a heavier brew try their Bullies Brown Ale, which balances US hops with nine different malts. You can try five different beers by ordering the beer sampler, or take home your favorite in a growler.

River Horse, Lambertville

Located on the banks of the Delaware River north of Philadelphia, The River Horse brewery features beer made with local spring water. Their beers are distributed throughout the Mid-Atlantic and New England and feature two seasonal beers - Summer Blonde and Belgium Freeze. They are open for tours and sampling Friday through Sunday afternoons. Their Tripel Horse is a Belgian lager that the brewery claims will improve with age. It finishes mostly dry with only a touch of sweetness and smells faintly of vanilla.