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Enjoys what he tastes on New Jersey beer tour

BY JOHN HOLL

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

When it comes to celebrities in the American craft-brewing world, there are not many who are better known or more respected than Charlie Papazian.

He is the founder of the American Homebrewers Association and currently president of the Brewers Association, a Colorado-based group that promotes the American craft beer industry. He is the author of several home brewing books and is an acclaimed writer on craft beer. Tales of his travels around the world tasting and critiquing beers are frequently seen in beer-themed publications and on the website examiner.com.

Papazian is also a New Jersey native, spending his youth in Somerset County. And while he now has firmly planted roots in Colorado, he returned to the Garden State last month for a high school reunion and managed to visit a few of New Jersey's microbreweries and brewpubs.

These days "the Garden State has some real hidden gems that are treats for the locals," he said, noting that many breweries have won both national and international awards, but they are so small they don't get the media attention they deserve.

With more than 20 microbreweries and brewpubs to choose from, Papazian mostly stuck to Western Jersey breweries while passing through the state.

The following is a list and comments provided by Papazian on his recent New Jersey beer tour:

* The Ship Inn in Milford "was an authentic replication of the British real ale and traditional ale experience."

* Lambertville's River Horse Brewing makes "some of the hoppiest beers made east of the Delaware River."

* The Long Valley Brewpub had some very smooth and balanced brews that would have gone well with the food served there, though the kitchen was closed when he visited.

* His highest praise came for Kroghs, a brewpub in Sparta. Their Oatmeal Stout, he said "could win international awards for its authentic and perfect character."

* At the Trap Rock in Berkeley Heights he felt the beers were well made, but perhaps the draft beer lines may have needed some refreshing.

For his part, Robert Fuchs, the owner of Kroghs sees Papazian's praise as a bit of vindication. Shortly after his restaurant began serving its own beer, he replaced the old stalwart of stout, Guinness with his own brand.

It was not quickly embraced by customers but has gained a loyal following.

"I'm pleased that after all these years we're getting noticed," he said.

While New Jersey still has not risen to the level of well-known beer-making states like Washington or Colorado, Papazian said he loves "the fact that many really tie in the local culture and heritage. The quality is there. NJ should show their support for the special things, like beer in this case, that feature the ‘Garden' side of NJ."

John Holl writes about craft beer, spirits and the culture of drinking for New Jersey Newsroom. He may be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it