A welcome attraction for beer enthusiasts in the northern New Jersey countryside. Photos
by Charlie Papazian
Belgium in New York and now Germany in New Jersey. What is America becoming? It seems Americans don’t really have to go to far to experience what many first discovered in Europe.
Krogh’s Restaurant and Brew Pub in Sparta, New Jersey is situated in the tiny community at northern end of Lake Mohawk. The rustic restaurant with a Bavarian accent has been serving visitors since 1937. In 1999 their small brewery was installed and fresh beer began to flow.
If owner Bob Fuchs or head brewer and chef Dave Cooper aren’t there to greet you, there’s always the friendly local homebrewers that might happen to show you around. Bud Usinowicz, a full time teacher and assistant brewer was happy to talk about award winning homebrews and award winning Krogh’s beers upon my long overdue visit to Sparta’s first and only brewery. .
Krogh's Gold a skillfully brewed malt and hop balanced light ale will satisfy any beer enthusiast’s thirst. Alpine Glow Red Ale is a smooth, clean and another thematically hop and malt balanced brew. Hop emphasized Brogden Meadow Pale Ale has plenty of character for hop-aholics, but it’s not over the top for the yet to be converted. Malty Log Cabin Nut Brown is a mild and true to style English brown ale. Old Krogh Oatmeal Stout is my vision of a perfect oatmeal stout and it was this full bodied and smooth brew which I walked out the door with a growler. I didn’t want to leave. Feeling regretful but knowing the sun rises often on beer horizons.
Photo left: Brewmaster Joe Saia attends to brew matters at the Long Valley Pub and Brewery.
An hour south of Sparta, NJ you’ll find the Long Valley Pub and Brewery. Don’t blink, it’s a tiny community featuring a goat cheese making farm and this historic brewery pub. I learn the brewery restaurant is the area’s major attraction. Its reputation is well deserved.
The 1771 stone barn in which the brewery and restaurant reside has undergone extensive renovations, creating an historic and rural ambience worthy of the excellent beers made by head brewer Joe Saia. Get out a map and find this place. Check out the well balanced German Valley amber, American Pale Ale, Lazy Jake Porter (a four time winner in the Porter categories of the World Beer Cup 2006 and Great American Beer Festival, 1999, 2000, 2005). Their Best Bitter and Nut Brown Ale have also won awards at the festival.
Next - Beer destinations along the Delaware River in search of beer
.Also see: Beer destinations: New York is not a only a city
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