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Carl Craft

Carl Craft

Carl Craft

We’re Hearing Good Things About This New Brewery In Monmouth County

Author Carl Craft
Bakes Brewing. The new brewery in Wall Township.

There’s been an anxious anticipation building about the opening of a new brewery in Wall Township, New Jersey for a really long time.  In fact, the anticipation grew… then fell… then grew and fell again, before we finally heard of the soft opening a short while ago.

What’s the new brewery in Wall Township?  It’s Bakes Brewing, located on Route 71, not far from the intersection of Route 71 and 18th Avenue.  Our radio broadcast facility is located on 18th Avenue which makes Bakes Brewing pretty much walking distance from the WRAT studio.  We’re kinda stoked about that.

What Took So Long?

Bakes Brewing Company on Instagram: "Some exciting site work progress to share from this week. Steel beams for courtyard canopy were erected and the pavement was cleared for future paver installation! #bakesbrewingco #njcraftbrewery #njcraftbeer #wallnj"

251 likes, 6 comments - bakesbrewingco on August 3, 2021: "Some exciting site work progress to share from this week. Steel beams for courtyard canopy were erected and the pavement was cleared for ...".

The building and opening process for the new brewery in Wall Township took a crazy amount of time for Bakes Brewing.  Don’t quote me on this but from what I’ve been told the delay mostly came down to getting the approvals from the township and health departments.  Now that those were granted, the brewing began and the pouring has begun!

What Beer Is Bakes Brewing?

Bakes Brewing Company on Instagram: "We decided to do a very, very limited canning run! Beer information and pick-up details below: Robin Way Double IPA 8.3% Simcoe Mosaic Galaxy Named after the street on which all of our recipes were created, crafted, and refined (in the garage). Limit two 4-packs per customer. No proxies. $20/4-pack. Cans will be available for pick-up only at the shipping & receiving door at the brewery (1718 HWY 71, Wall) 12-3PM on Saturday, 12/2. Again, this is a very limited run."

680 likes, 27 comments - bakesbrewingco on December 1, 2023: "We decided to do a very, very limited canning run! Beer information and pick-up details below: Robin Way Double IPA 8.3% Simcoe Mosaic...".

Before they opened their tasting room, the only way to enjoy this new brewery was via a limited can release.  However, according to the Bakes Brewing website, the brewery currently has a few beverages on tap.  However, from what I’ve been told by people in the area, each of them are outstanding.  What’s more, we understand that the plan is to increase the beer styles available over time.

So far, the Bakes Brewing line up includes:

  • a hopped ale using a single hop grown in New Zealand.
  • a dark Czech lager that sound absolutely crushable.
  • a coffee stout using beans from a great coffee shop just down the street on Route 71
  • and a double IPA that early reviews say holds up to the big names in Monmouth County brewing

No matter the reason for the delay, we’re pretty stoked to have another craft brewery within a stones throw of our main offices.  So far, it looks like the hours they’re keeping are limited to Friday, Saturday and Sunday and we’re thinking it stays like that until warmer weather rolls around.

If you’ve given it a try, shoot me a note and let me know what I should try over there when I’m done with Dryuary.

Cheers!

-Carl

7 Monmouth County Restaurants With Great Local Craft Beer On Tap

The craft beer scene is exploding; everyone knows that. These days when I go out to eat, I have two decisions to make: What am I hungry for? And, what am I thirsty for? Usually that means, “craft beer on tap”.

That’s right, I’m part of a growing number of people who consider what craft beers are on tap at a specific location as I decide where I’m going to have lunch or dinner. Call us, “Crafties” or “Beerheads”.

So, with the help of some of my Beerhead buddies, I put together a list of places in Monmouth County that have great beer lists to go along with their kitchen offerings.  Coming soon, the Beerhead list for Ocean County. 

Before the list hits, here are the qualities that make a place qualify for a Beerhead:

  • Yes, there’s got to be multiple beers on tap; but the beer offered has to be a mix of styles.  They all can’t be heavy double IPA’s.  I want a mix of sours, ales, lagers, IPA’s, and stouts.  Possibly more.
  • The mix of beer on tap should definitely include local craft beers.  Local breweries should be featured because – beyond it being the “right thing to do” – beer should be consumed young.  Less time spent rumbling highways from far away, the better.
  • Regional craft breweries should be represented too.  For us that means PA, NY, Vermont and beyond.
  • Last but not least:  knowledge. The person behind the bar should have a decent handle on what each beverage brings to the glass.

With all that in mind, here’s a list of restaurants in Monmouth County that I think have a good handle on all these ideas ending up with good choices for people looking for good craft beer on tap.

  • Maloney's In Matawan

    Once Donnie the Beer Guy sailed off into the sunset, the Maloney’s crew stepped up to the table for our Morning Rat Race beer tastings.  And man, does Maloney’s have a great selection.  At any given time they have over 120 beers on tap.  Local, regional, national and international.  They even dabble in ciders on tap!  Plus the kitchen absolutely knows what end is up.

    If you can’t find a beer on tap that you like at Maloney’s, you should probably stick to water and wine.

  • Asbury Festhalle

    Here’s a fun fact that just might win your heart (because it won mine).  The Asbury Festhalle crew stopped by The Rat a few years ago – dunno might have been a dozen years, they all melt together after a while – to do a quickie beer and food tasting on the morning of the Belmar/Lake Como St. Patricks Day Parade.  But this beer and food tasting was unlike any other:  It was a beer and Girl Scout Cookie beer tasting.

    Yeah, so that was pretty cool.  What isn’t cool is the fact that this great spot is currently closed for renovation and repairs as a result of a freak rain event in the Fall of 2023.  They plan to reopen sometime in early of 2024.

    I credit this place with the popularity of the giant soft-pretzel.  Before they brought that back, no one really had that on the menu.  Their beer list is quite decent too.  You get a good amount of German influence (duh); but you get local and regional oat soda too.

  • Jamian's in Red Bank

    Jamian’s doesn’t have a ton of taps.  And they don’t really “market” themselves as a Beerhead joint (one peek at their Insta and you’d never know they have a decent tap selection).  But the fact that they have a Lawson’s beverage on tap makes them a destination and an immediate indication that someone knows what the heck they’re doing.  Lawson’s Finest Liquids is a literal “sip of sunshine” or so goes the name.

    Jamian's Taps 1

    Taps as of 6.8.23

    Jamian's Taps 2

    Jamian’s Taps as of 6.8.23 (2)

  • B2 Bistro and Bar, Red Bank

    B2 in Red Bank has a well thought out rotating craft beer selection.  And you’re not gonna be surviving in Red Bank calling yourself a, “Bistro” and have a faulty dining experience.

    Fun fact:  they offer growlers to go.  This tends to be something that only a Beerhead would appreciate.  If the place thinks their beers are such an exclusive thing that you’d want to bring some home in a bottle, it’s probably a sign they have a good list.

  • Woody's In Farmingdale

    Woody’s Roadside is a pretty well known place; the vibe is a joint you can bring the whole family to.  But hiding behind the roadside pub bar is a beer list that is pretty versatile and flexible.  This list is all about the tap; but I’ll add an honorable mention to Woody’s craft beer available in cans.

    Plus, an insider tip:  The fish taco’s are absolutely smashing and the wings here ain’t too shabby!

  • Asbury Ale House

    While Asbury Ale House doesn’t have the magnitude of taps that, say, Maloney’s in Matawan (see above) has… they have a good mix of offerings on tap.  Local and regional choices with a total of 30 choices from breweries located here in the Garden State.

    They claim to have the “largest local beer list in New Jersey”.  And a fun tip about Asbury Ale House is that if you order the beer that kicks the keg, you get a free t-shirt.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by ASBURY ALE HOUSE (@asburyalehouse)

  • Aroogah's In Howell

    Honestly:  I was pleasantly surprised by this chain’s local beer offerings.  Most chain restaurants carry only the big, national beer brands.  And, yes, those are well represented at Aroogah’s on Rt. 9 in Howell.  But the craft beer vibe was strong here.  Theirs was a list that was more regional than specifically local, but for a chain to have a tap system this extensive is impressive.

    I went there based on the recommendation on their Chicken Wings; yeah, I’m a wing-head too.  I was impressed with the wings too.  The Lakewood area is a dead zone for craft beer on tap, except for Icarus Brewing of course, and this place is just north of the Lakewood/Howell border on Route 9 North.

When Carl is not working at the greatest rock radio station known to mankind; a station known around the globe; a station that has the best music, co-workers, advertisers and most importantly THE BEST F'N LISTENERS you may find me doing any one of the following: Riding or making mountain bike trails. playing with his kids. playing sand volleyball on 5th Ave, cooking amazing food, including on his sweet smoker grill, going to concerts, swimming in the ocean, going to amusement parks with his kids, and other stuff that rocks!

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