The Trap Rock Brewery and Restaurant: Review

April 24, 2017April 21, 2017 newjerseyisntboring

Located in Berkeley Heights, The Trap Rock Brewery and Restaurant has been around for 20 years since it opened it’s doors in 1997. It is a working brewpub with 10+ beers on tap and an upscale restaurant that gives off what they consider a “comfortable European ski lodge atmosphere”.

I visited the Trap Rock Brewery and Restaurant on National Beer Day, which seemed like an appropriate time to visit to sample their beer!

At the time of our visit they had ten beers on tap. Their beers range from lagers, to pilsners, stouts, and wheat beers. Since I wanted to try a bunch of different beers I ordered their sampler, which came with 6 beers to try:
– Ghost Pony Helles Lager, a Munich style lager 4.6% ABV
– Hathor Red Lager, well- balanced German malt and hops aged for smoothness 5.5% ABV
– Apricot Wheat, a Belgian Style Wit (my personal favorite) 5.6% ABV
– JP Pilsner, German/Czech hybrid Pilsner 5.2% ABV
– Kestrel IPA, their malt balances the hops for a smoother IPA 6.5% ABV
– Captain Carl’s Oatmeal Stout, a mix of oats, chocolate and coffee 7% ABV

Since their other Belgian Beer, “Nefarious” caught by eye, they very nicely switched that out for me on the sampler. The Nefarious comes in at a 9.5% ABV (!) and is brewed with dark crystal malts and sixty pounds of dark candy syrup. Very tasty!

If you enjoyed what you tried, you can also get their beer to go in growlers as well as 6-packs (Ghost Pony & Hathor Red only).

Their dining menu is made up of food that comes from local farms, something they take a lot of pride in.Interesting items from their menu include green tomato hush puppies, house made blue cheese potato chips, Cuban sandwich spring rolls, a sea scallop gumbo, and their fried chicken and cheddar waffles.

It should also be noted that their restaurant is fancier than what you might expect. You are not allowed to wear hats in the dining room (much to my husband’s dismay), and their food menu is a little more expensive than at a pub. Having said that, the food is of high quality.

I ate a Kale Salad that was made with cranberries, walnuts, blue cheese, and an apple cider vinaigrette.

…and fries. Because I believe in a balanced meal. Their hand cut fries come with an amazing rosemary aioli.

Overall I enjoyed my time at the Trap Rock Brewery and Restaurant. It’s a little classier than I’m used to for a brewery, but was a perfect place to celebrate a friend’s birthday.