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Melissa Surach

Brew Nerds Win Big At Departed Soles

August 20, 2020/in Food And Drink, header, In Our Midst, News, Other Fun Stuff /by Melissa Surach

This year’s Jersey City Brew Club Homebrew Competition was smaller than usual, thanks to Covid-19. But it was special: The winner got to brew a batch at Departed Soles brewery and tap room located at 150 Bay Street .

Kendall Alvarez, founding brew club member and event chair said “Getting to brew your beer on the Departed Soles system and working with them on naming and designing any labels that go along with the beer, it’s a cool and fun way to show off your skills.”

The competition was open to all dues paying members of the Jersey City Brew Club, one entry per member. “A couple of the [Brew Club] officers did enter (including myself) but didn’t win,” Alvarez said.

Because this year’s winning beers were selected by Departed Soles rather than by certified judges as in the past, there was no people’s choice award. However as a consolation, Alvarez said, they might be able to down the road “when this is all over and we can have a big beer festival!”

According to Alvarez, an award-winning home brewer himself and owner of The Thirsty Quaker home-brew supply shop in Harsimus Cove, there are 30 dues-paying members and a bunch of other folks on Facebook and Slack that come to meetings and events. “Not everyone is a brewer either,” Alvarez said, “Some just come along to try homemade brews or to hear the guest speakers we have at meetings.”

The Jersey City Brew Club started in 2010 with four members at the first meeting and has “grown into a great club since then. Several of our past members are now professional brewers,” said Alvarez.

When asked if the pandemic posed any problems organizing the competition, Alvarez said, “It was a little harder to wrangle entrants and get the word out without having our monthly meeting. We’ve been doing some Zoom calls to chat beer and keep people involved, but it’s just not the same. We just had our first in-person meeting since February at the newly opened 902 Brewing. It was outdoors and everyone stayed socially distant and wore masks when we weren’t drinking. So that was really nice!”

As for pandemic-related brewing supply shortages, Alvarez said, “I think most brewers haven’t noticed many issues, since hop and malt harvests happen at the end of the year anyway. From the retail side though, I can tell you that there was a huge shortage of dry yeast for a while that is still in place for some champagne yeasts. And there have been delays on shipments. But apart from some specific items coming from Italy and other overseas places, home brewing goods are still readily available.”

A small competition, there were a meager 14 entries. The beer was judged by Brian Kulbacki, Departed Soles owner and head brewer, and Brian Schweinsberg, brewer and “tasting room sensei,” who previously worked as a beer buyer in the restaurant industry.

“We invited members to submit their best recipes that they thought could work on our system and that are seasonally appropriate,” Schweinsberg said.

“We used official BJCP [Beer Judge Certification Program] score sheets and style guides to assess the quality and accuracy of each beer to style. We scored the beers separately so there was no influence on each other, and save for a couple entries, were incredibly close in our scoring of each beer.”

“The only ‘voting’ that took place was when there was a three-way tie for first, and we had to determine the best possible way to proceed.” Said Kulbacki.

When asked if Departed Soles was considering commercial viability in its judging, Kulbacki said, “We had to factor in the commercial viability of the beer at the end of the day in the tie-breaking round and [we had to factor in] seasonality so that we could, hopefully, brew this beer up quickly and do it all over again soon.”

Schweinsberg said, “If we are happy with the beer brewed on our pilot system, it will get scaled up to the big system.”

The big system is 15 barrels. That’s over 300 12-ounce bottles.

As far as noticeable trends in the entries, there were more IPAs submitted than any other style, according to Schweinsberg. In addition, Kulbacki added, “There was definitely a good amount of fruited beers, and of course, hazies. “I was impressed by the quality of each entry, and often times the aroma and appearance of each beer were pretty spot on. Overall, it was a great batch of homebrew. It always just comes down to what the style guidelines tell us to look for, and assessing that. There’s no bias in it.” Kulbacki said, “I think with some more water treatment work, a lot of these beers would get big bumps in scoring and be winners.”

Kulbacki offered general advice for future contestants: Always call the beer what it tastes like.

“One of the toughest things about home brew contests is that delicious beer often gets entered in to a category it doesn’t fit,” he said. “For instance, your recipe may be for an IPA, but the beer came out more like a blonde.  Don’t force it, own it, and enter it as a tasty whatever it ended up as! There were beers we liked, but maybe didn’t fit the style it was entered in, so those took a scoring hit, unfortunately. We did factor in timelines to our tie-breaking round, but we made sure that anyone that was hurt by that was given another opportunity to do something cool.”

Schweinsberg said, “The most common mistake was under-carbonated beers. Almost all the beers were cleanly made and very well done overall.”

Kulbacki said, “If someone used something like an extract or treatment we don’t typically use, the entry was not thrown out. We’ll happily work with the brewers to convert it!” While commercial brewing is typically all-grain, home brewed beers can be made with malt extract usually in addition to grains. In fact, an extract recipe did win the competition.

“Personally, I’m surprised that an extract recipe won the competition, but it goes to show you don’t need fancy equipment or complicated processes to make good beer,” said Alvarez.

The three winners were officially announced on August 3 on the Jersey City Brew Club Facebook page. The first-place winner was Jason Willard, with “Midnight Oil,” an Imperial Stout aged on American oak cubes. If Willard cannot replicate the beer with an all grain recipe on the pilot system, the opportunity will go to the runner up, Michael Schruefer, for “Wee Wee” Scottish Ale.

A third entry that had been tied for first place was ultimately eliminated because that brewer wound up getting hired by Departed Soles.

Finally, a “bonus” winner was Corey Thomas, who brewed “Gos’ito,” a Gose with lime and mint. Departed Soles invited him to contribute to its next hard seltzer recipe.

The next brew club meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 26, on the rooftop deck at 902 Brewing. “All are welcome,” said Alvarez, “But you’ll need to check JCBC.beer or the Facebook group a couple weeks ahead to RSVP.

Melissa Surach

Craft Breweries and a Distillery: Tour the Tasting Rooms of Jersey City

December 30, 2019/in Food And Drink, header, Latest News, Other Fun Stuff /by Melissa Surach

Alcohol tourism is a serious industry. Jersey City may not be wine country, but in just the past four years, it has become home to a craft brewery and a distillery, and another brewery is on the way.

Could Jersey City become a highbrow booze destination? Quite possibly (though the parking alone is enough to drive you to drink).

Drinking habits in Jersey City have changed since I was a kid. Instead of drinking a 40 of malt liquor at a construction site on the waterfront (and there’s nothing wrong with that), you can now drink a barrel-aged limited release bomber from the brewery down the street.

Brian Kulbacki, owner of Departed Soles. Photo by Melissa Surach

“We get tourists from out of state, people staying at hotels,” said Brian Kulbacki, owner of Departed Soles Brewing Company, which opened in downtown’s Power House District in 2015.

The brewery is the first to open in Jersey City since the Lembeck and Betz Eagle Brewing Company closed on the eve of Prohibition in 1920. Coincidentally, it’s is a few blocks away from the site of the forgotten Lembeck and Betz Historic Brewing District (on Marin between 9thand 10thStreets), which was added to the National Historic Register in 1984. The last vestige of the brewery was demolished in 1997.

Departed Soles’ bright taproom showcases local art, shoes, and skateboards in addition to beer, a pretty good sign that it’s not your grandpa’s beer joint. Indeed, the whole point of the enterprise seems to be to be small and bespoke. They source barrels from local distilleries and have acquired some Jersey artisan distilling sorghum whiskey barrels specifically for aging gluten-free beer (of course). They are also going to attempt a rudimentary hard seltzer that would be available in the tap room only.

Meanwhile, 902 Brewing is on the verge of opening in Bergen-Lafayette.

“We have the brewhouse installed, fermenters installed, walk-in installed. Waiting on the utility hookups and a certificate of occupancy from Jersey City,” said 902’s COO and founder Colby Janisch. “Hoping that can happen before the New Year,” he added.

Originally a homebrewing experiment that began in his apartment at 902 Washington Street in Hoboken, since 2012, 902 has been “gypsy” brewing at other local breweries including New Jersey Beer Company in North Bergen (with which they expect to finalize a merger soon). The company decided to open a brick and mortar location in Jersey City rather than Hoboken, its first choice, because the former proved easier and more accommodating.

“Space, availability, and affordability in Hoboken, along with traffic was a serious issue,” Janisch said. “We tried in multiple places, but the zoning office was literally no help. They made it seem like a burden every time we tried to realize our dream.”

Ultimately, he said, it was “the mentality of being wanted versus being put up with” that helped 902 decide to break ground in Jersey City.

Janisch still homebrews, and when asked what his favorite 902 beer is, he proudly responded, “Call me lame, but Heaven Hell or Hoboken IPA is probably my favorite,” he said. “It’s one of my original home brew recipes that I tweaked over and over, and I think it’s a fantastically balanced American IPA. It’s not a trend chaser by any means, but it’s enjoyable to drink any day of the year. I’m proud of it.”

But he’s most proud of Brady’s Nightmare, he ranted, “We bragged about the Giants’ beating the Pats in two super bowls on a beer can and made a national ESPN article for it. I’ll tell my kids about that when they hear of the legend of Tom Brady. Tom, if you’re reading this, come try one at the new facility. It’s on me even though you’re unfathomably rich.”

Janisch also has reason to be proud of his congeniality. 902 has a great relationship with Departed Soles, he said, and the two businesses “definitely want to collaborate” and “build JC as a beer destination.” Likewise, Janisch is fermenting wild ale in gin barrels procured from another startup alcohol manufacturer down the block.

That manufacturer would be Corgi Spirits.

Photo provided by Corgi Spirits

Corgi Spirits was founded in 2018, and specializes in potato-based gin.  It is the first and only craft distillery in Hudson County. Housed in a converted warehouse dubbed the “Jersey City Distillery,” it’s even got a street named after it: Distillery Way.

Corgi’s flagship gins are Pembroke and Earl Grey. In terms of flavor, both products tend to be a little floral and citrusy. They are highly accessible even to people who dislike gin.

The distillery, which features a tasting room, also specializes in barrel-rested gin comprised of smaller batches that have rested in whiskey barrels for eight months. Corgi produces vodka and whiskey as well.

Aside from the booze (and site tours that are available on weekends), there are plenty of reasons to visit Corgi Spirits: They offer live music, a monthly comedy show, and craft markets throughout the year. In the summer, visitors can enjoy a large outdoor patio and regular food trucks. There are also dog costume contests, including the annual Pride with Your Pup event in conjunction with Hudson Pride in August (although dogs are not permitted inside the distillery).

“Spend the day at Liberty State Park, stop by 902 for a pint, close your night with a cocktail here,” said Sara Healey, Corgi’s tasting room and events manager. “That’s a good day.”

Departed Soles: 150 Bay Street (Grove Street PATH/Harsimus Cove Light Rail)

Corgi Spirits: 1 Distillery Way (Garfield/Liberty State Park Light Rail Station)

902 Brewing: 101 Pacific Avenue (Liberty State Park Light Rail Station)

 

News Briefs

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced that the suspect wanted in the fatal shooting of a 34-year-old man in BJ’s parking lot in #JerseyCity was apprehended yesterday afternoon in New Port Richey, Fla.

Former Jersey City Police Chief Michael Kelly, who retired effective as of February 1st, earned a $282,779.58 payout for unused time, according to public records. Go here for story.

According to a report in the Jersey Journal, a  Jersey City police and fire dispatcher died on Wednesday after being admitted to the hospital with Covid-19. His death, apparently, follows a Covid-19 outbreak at the Jersey City Public Safety Communications Center. A city spokeswoman has confirmed the death but said that it “hasn’t been determined” that it was coronavirus-related.

 

The 2021 tree planting applications are available. Fill out the form and our city arborists will handle it. Apply early! bit.ly/adoptatreespri… @innovatejc @JCmakeitgreen

Mayor Steven Fulop and the Jersey City Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the opening of the City’s sixth vaccination site located near the Marin Boulevard Light Rail Station to vaccinate frontline workers, including all food and restaurant workers, grocery store workers, porters, hospitality workers, warehouse workers, those in the medical supply chain, and more.

Two of the City-run vaccination sites will dedicate 1,000 J&J vaccines for those interested, prioritizing workers who have limited time off: 100 Marin Boulevard and 28 Paterson Street (Connors Center).   Those interested should call (201) 373-2316.

Vaccine-eligible individuals can make an appointment online by visiting hudsoncovidvax.org.

Keep abreast of Jersey City Covid-19 statistics here.

Governor Murphy has launched a “Covid Transparency Website” where New Jerseyans can track state expenditures related to Covid.  Go here.

For info on vaccinations, call Vaccination Call Center. Operators will assist you with scheduling one: 855-568-0545

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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