I am a recent transplant to the New Jersey area after having lived (almost) my whole life in California. I also am a beer lover, and was familiar with a number of local microbreweries and regional beers that might not be available all over the country.
Since moving here I have had recommendations for Brooklyn Brewery (which I love) and Yuengling (which I also enjoy) but I want to expand my horizons. What’s out here that’s local and good that I wouldn’t have been able to find in California? My tastes run the gambit, so don’t worry about that, I like beer. I like hoppy, I like malty, I live lighter stuff, I like heavy stuff. If it’s got flavor and is well made odds are I will find something to like about it.
Bonus points if you can’t get it in Pennsylvania either because I am going to a party at my Brother-In-Law’s at the end of the month and want to bring something impressive.
I haven’t traveled much off the east coast, but I’ve gotten the impression that Dogfish Head beers, headquartered out of Delaware, have been one of the most successful macro-micro-brewers, so I wouldn’t be surprised if you could have gotten at least a few of their most basic brews out west (60 or 90 minute IPA, possibly Indian Brown, or their bizarre (and delicious) Raison D’Etre). However, being in the east, you should be able to find far more of their seasonal and limited run beers than elsewhere (I like the Chicory Stout and one of the best pumpkin offerings around during the fall, Punkin Ale).
Extremely local to me in Baltimore is Heavy Seas (formerly Clipper City), which has a wonderfully drinkable hoppy ale (Loose Cannon) and a great pilsner (Small Craft Warning). Of course, that might be too local to find up in New Jersey.
Even less helpful is DuClaw Brewing Company, a brewpub with 3.5 locations, all in Maryland. They’re starting to experiment with bottling and distribution, but for the most part, their beers are draft-only. Thank god for growlers.
Missed my window to edit, but I thought of another I enjoy.
I also don’t know how far it’s distributed, but Fordham Brewery, started in Annapolis, MD, and now also headquartered in Delaware, does a small number of beers (seven, according to their site), but does the four I’ve tried quite well. Their Tavern Ale and Copperhead Ale are never bad choices, if you can get them.
Ommegang is delightful. If you like Belgian-style beers, I recommend trying Allagash Brewing Company, in Portland Maine. The lighter you go with Allagash, the better they are, IMHO. (Avoid their “Black” like the plague.) In Philadelphia, I’ve liked Dock Street, especially their Rye IPA. Harpoon Brewery’s (Boston, MA) products should be widely available, and are extremely tasty. Finally, if you make it to Bar Harbour, Maine, definitely seek out the Cadillac Mountain Stout from Bar Harbour Brewing.
Their Rye Pale Ale was one I bought a few times while spending 3 months stranded in South Carolina. Also purchased while down there was NC-based Duck Rabbit Brewery’s Milk Stout, which is nice, though on the whole I prefer Lancaster Brewing Company’s Milk Stout (PA-based, so more in the OP’s brother-in-law’s neck of the woods than his own). I thought briefly of some southern brewers, but figured that if Maryland and Delaware might be tricky to come by, getting southern beers would be all but impossible (I don’t think I’ve seen Duck Rabbit up here in Maryland, and precious little Terrapin, which is odd since you’d think breweries in the range of University of Maryland would try to stock it for the novelty alone).
Thanks guys. I am almost positive I can’t get Terrapin up here (which is too bad, I have heard great things) but I know I have seen both dogfish head and River Horse around. I haven’t seen any of the other, but then I hadn’t been looking either. I will keep an eye out for them.
Triumph Brewing has brewpubs in Princeton, New Hope, PA, and Philadelphia. They don’t bottle and distribute, but you could pick up a growler or two from the pub.