Cricket Hill Brewing Co: Review
This past weekend I ventured to Fairfield, NJ – an area that currently hosts 2 breweries and 3 distilleries. Since there is only so much drinking I can do in one day, on this trip to the area I went with friends to visit the breweries; Cricket Hill Brewing Co and Magnify Brewing Co (review posted next Monday).
Like most craft breweries, Cricket Hill is located in a warehouse area that doesn’t look like it would host a brewery. Inside, the look of the brewery is also pretty industrial. Their machinery is out in the open, but there is a lighting that gives it more of a romantic vibe. Their tap room is on the smaller side, but they have plenty of seating and tables if you want to grab a pint of beer and chill.
Unlike (almost) every other brewery I’ve been to, they do not have a flight option which was disappointing. Personally, I think a flight gives you the option to try 3-4 beers which would then help you make a decision on a pint or growler you’d like to purchase. Especially in a situation like a Cricket Hill when they had so many beers to try, a flight would have been a great thing to have. To each his own I suppose…but I always look forward to sharing a flight when I visit a brewery.
Having said that, they did let you try free samples of the beer. Since I did not want to take advantage of the free beer, I only tried four of the beers they had on tap.
Beers I Tried:
– Double Wit – 7% ABV
– Jersey Devil Imperial – 7.4% ABV
– Abbey Cherry Tripel – 8.9% ABV
– Sim-Jerko Jamaican Hot Pepper Ale – 8.2%
Apparently I was drawn to their small batch beers that day. I did not try any of their beers that they have year round. Luckily, Cricket Hill has decent distribution in the tri-state area so finding their bottles in your local liquor store is easier than finding other local beers.
My favorites of the four I tried were the Double Wit and the Abbey Cherry Tripel. The Double Wit is a small batch brew; medium bodied with tastes of citrus and a Belgian vibe. The Abbey Cherry Tripel has more of a Summer vibe, the tastes of cherry are subtle. Definitely a medium bodied beer, not to heavy or too light.
The Sim-Jerko Jamiacan Hot Pepper Ale is their Sim-Notic Imperial Ale infused with hot peppers. Very hoppy and spicy! You definitely feel that kick at the end.
The Jersey Devil Imperial (which I mainly tasted because of the name) is a red ale that is very flavorful. It’s something that I probably would have appreciated more if I had more than a sample .
I ended up purchasing a 12oz glass of the Abbey Cherry Tripel ($5), and then ended up taking home the Double Wit, which might have been the priciest growler purchase to date ($17 to fill, $8 for the growler).
I fully support drinking local in NJ, so definitely check out Cricket Hill Brewing Co at their location, at a beer festival, or at your local liquor store.
About Cricket Hill Brewing Co:
(From their Website) Established in 2002, Cricket Hill Brewing Co is one of the oldest craft breweries in New Jersey. With our Year-Round, Seasonal, Small Batch and Reserve brews, we offer a clear alternative to the large commercial breweries. Currently Cricket Hill offers 4 Year-Round, 3 Seasonal, 3 Small Batch, and 2 Reserve Beers. Additionally, limited edition special brews are available for purchase at the Tasting Room.
Address: 24 Kulick Rd, Fairfield, NJ; (973) 276-9415
Hours: Thursdays & Fridays 5 – 8 PM and Saturdays 1 – 5 PM
Check out more info on their Website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
