My top 3 beers from Brewsolgy Beer Fest in Jersey City

Events

Mar 13

High angle image of beer festival with beer tents and patrons — Photo by Erin Nau

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the Brewsology Beer Fest in Jersey City, where my wife and I live. We went with our new neighbors, who also enjoy trying new beers.

The festival was held at Liberty Science Center after hours, which was cool because we got to walk around the center, checking out exhibits while sipping some brews. (The event is billed as “the boozy hybrid of your middle school museum field trip,” LOL.)

This festival mostly featured suds from New Jersey- and New York-based breweries, which is great because I like to get to know and support local brands.

For $65 each we got a wristband, plastic mini beer glass, and three hours of access to the brews. We quickly realized we needed to pace ourselves, ask for half-pours, and not be shy about dumping unconsumed beer (the stuff we didn’t love) into the provided five-gallon Lowe’s buckets to make sure we didn’t stumble home with the spins. And even then, we called it quits before closing time.

Anyway, I tasted a lot of interesting brews that night, but here were my three favorites:

Yawning Shores Cottage Lager | SingleCut Beersmiths | Astoria, New York

As former residents of Astoria, Queens, my wife, Erin, and I hold a special place in our hearts for anything connected to SingleCut. I hosted my 40th birthday party there (several) years ago and enjoyed many pints at this welcoming brewery.

SingleCut describes Yawning Shores as “‘cottage lager’ inspired by the maltier but always refreshing premium lagers of Canada!” I describe it simply as yummy and easier to drink than the 5.3% ABV would imply.
Fact Czech | Toms River Brewing | Toms River, New Jersey

I suppose I’m genetically conditioned to like this beer because I’m half-Czech (my mother is literally a Bohemian; she’s from Prague). Anyway, any beer aficionado who doesn’t like good Czech pilsner is sus. This one isn’t quite Czech — it’s New Jerseyan (brewed in Toms River) but it has Czech DNA — literally; it is brewed with Czech yeast and Saaz hops.
Raspberry Kettle Sour | 902 Brewing | Jersey City, New Jersey

This is a bright, tart, delightfully fruity beer from my hometown (whoa, that is weird to say…) brewery. I usually like my beer to just… taste like beer. But I also love raspberries so I won’t ever say no to this brew. BTW, 902 has a 2,000-square-foot taproom and rooftop bar that’s always welcoming.