Departed Soles Brewing Co: Review

July 25, 2016 newjerseyisntboring

If you’re making a trip to Jersey City, Departed Soles Brewing Co should definitely be on your to-do list. The craft brewery is situated in the downtown area serving up quality beer and gluten-free beers too!

If you haven’t been to Jersey City in a while, you should be making a trip there ASAP. One of the reasons why Departed Soles decided to grow their brewery in the area is because of Jersey City’s diverse and artistic community. The city is home to a young and supportive group of business professionals who have created some of the best restaurants and bars in New Jersey (FYI sure to check out Jersey Girl Food Tours). Since breweries in NJ cannot legally sell food, you definitely have plenty of options to eat in the area. Right next door to brewery you can purchase amazing small batch gelato from Bucket and Bay, and walk a block in any direction to grab delicious food.

Everything about the interior of Departed Soles is cool and laid back. Brian Kulbacki, owner of Departed Soles, wanted to bring the bright colors and murals from the streets of Jersey City inside the brewery. If the bright colors don’t make you feel happy, being greeted by Brian’s dog Bogan will. The brewery is dog friendly in case you want to bring your best friend with you to visit as well.

I personally loved all the skater elements at Departed Soles including the boards for their beer list, the skate flight for their beers (which is on wheels), seating etc. It definitely adds to the laid back atmosphere of the venue.

One of my favorite things about the brewery’s decor was their “Before I Die” Wall. I love visiting cities in America that have them, so seeing it in a brewery was really neat.

On to the beer!

Departed Soles is proud to be the only brewery in the state – and tri-state area – that produces options with 100% Gluten Free ingredients. Their Black IPA just won the Bronze medal at the World Beer Cup, getting beat out by 2 imports, so it is officially the best Gluten Free beer brewed in America! Everything else Departed Soles Serves (usually up to 10 on tap) represents their take on fairly traditional styles, plus local collaborations that emphasize their partners’ contributions.

While I was there I tried:

– Philosorapper -8% ABV; Belgian Ale
– Four My Homie – 6% ABV Gluten Free IPA
– South Ward Ale – 5.4% ABV Honey Ale
– Light Rail Ale – 5.2% ABV American Pale Ale

I had never had a gluten free beer before, so that was new to my craft beer palette! All four beers were incredible, so I would recommend anything that ‘s on tap. Be sure to check them out on Facebook to view their creative line up of beers each week.

With easy access to the brewery by public transportation (you can visit there by mass transit from anywhere in the tri-state area), there really isn’t any reason not to visit Departed Soles Brewing Co. You can visit Jersey City, hang out at the brewery, grab a beer there, and grab it to go!