By What happens when you decide to start a brewery in South Jersey? Well, you get about 20 resumes per day according to Becky Pederson, co-owner of the Turtle Stone Brewing Company in Vineland. “Everyone thinks it would be fun to make beer,” she adds. But the reality is very different. “It’s mostly cleaning, and brewing, and cleaning again,” says Ben Battiata, co-owner and brewer. Not exactly the glamour that people imagine.
Still, all the hard work is starting to pay off for Pederson and Battiata. At this year’s Atlantic City Beer Fest, Turtle Stone Brewing samples ran out at both sessions. “Restaurants are calling to have our beer on tap, and people want to know where they can buy our beer,” says Ben. The Old Oar House Restaurant and Pub in Millville commissioned Turtle Stone to create their House Ale which will be released on April 21st at a special food/beer pairing event. According to Battaita, the Red Rye Ale is a dry-hopped ale that is tempered by the use of sweet rye. “It’ll be great with steaks,” he adds.
Right now, Turtle Stone is a production brewery, meaning they make beer for sale, but they are unable to serve it like a restaurant or a bar. The plan is to offer tours at their Vineland brewery with beer tastings and to sell their products in six-packs, cases, and growlers. When their 15-barrel system is up and running, they will be able to brew several times per week. Enough to satisfy craft-brew lovers in South Jersey and beyond!
Before my tour of the brewery, I asked Becky a few questions about getting started as a brewer in South Jersey.
Why Vineland?
Ben and I both were born and raised here. We liked the idea of starting the company in our hometown. Vineland’s location in New Jersey was also appealing. We are pretty much half way between Philadelphia and the shore. Our location is right off of Route 55 and we felt that it would be a great place to stop by for anyone traveling back and forth.
It’s been a long road for Turtle Stone to get to the brewing stage. Tell me more about the process of opening a brewery in New Jersey.
It has been long! We started the process back in 2006. From 2006 to 2009 we did a lot of research. We traveled to different breweries. Talking to brewers at different places helped us get a better understanding of what direction we wanted to go. Ben also traveled out to Seibel Institute in Chicago and took some commercial brewery classes. It was during that time that we decided the size and setup we wanted. After that we started to look for equipment that matched our requirements and in 2009 we found a system. We then spent a solid 2 years looking for a location. It was surprisingly hard to find something in Vineland that was the right size, height and price. The wait paid off, we really are in the perfect location for us.
What kind of beer do you like? What kind of beer will you brew?
Our intention is to brew traditional ales with our own twist. The first beers we have fermenting are a Chocolate Milk Stout, Red Rye Ale and an American Stout. The Red Rye Ale will be on tap as the house beer at the Old Oar House in Millville. We hope to have 4 regular beers with a rotating seasonal.
How important is incorporating local ingredients in your brews?
Incorporating local ingredients as much as possible is very important to us. Two of our seasonal beers will feature local ingredients. One beer we are excited about is a Dandelion Saison. Since Vineland is the dandelion capital we wanted to incorporate that into something. We also have a sweet potato beer planned as our fall seasonal.
What inspires you to do this?
Our love for beer has been the main driving factor. We also always knew that we wanted to have our own business. Brewing really is a craft. Everyday we get to take all the regular ingredients of beer and turn it into something unique and interesting that is our own interpretation.
You are one of a handful of brewers starting up in South Jersey. What does the future hold for small breweries in the Garden State?
Back when we started to plan for the brewery in 2006 people would look at us like we were crazy. Barely anyone in this area had knowledge of craft beer. I think the growth we are seeing is good for the industry in New Jersey. The abundance of new breweries in the state has helped raise craft beer awareness. Hopefully we can all continue to grow and really turn New Jersey into a beer destination like many areas in the West.
Turtle Stone Brewery is located at 1940 South West Boulevard in Vineland. They are currently producing small batches of beer for The Old Oar House in Millville. Look for expanded production and availability of their craft brews this summer.
For more on the Altantic City Beer Fest, check out the Video Here.
Jennifer Malme is a full-time mother, sometime substitute teacher, avid locavore, and enthusiastic supporter of New Jersey wines. Her lifestyle blog, Down-Home South Jersey, explores ways to live simply and eat well in and around Cumberland County. When she is not blogging, she enjoys cooking, touring local wineries, and reading. She has never met a cheese that she doesn’t like, and she especially enjoys finding new, authentic ethnic restaurants in her area. Jennifer lives in Vineland with her husband, teenage son, and very smart Siamese cat.
The Rahway Taste of Spring! Friday, April 13th. An event that takes up the entire site of the Arts District Recreation Center, and spills over into adjoining tents. The event hosts over 80 fine gourmet eateries, caterers, and food vendors from the Rahway metro area stretching across three counties. Included you will find well over two dozen fine wine/boutique beer/aperitif tasting stations with vendors of national stature. You will have a memorable gourmet food experience while having the opportunity to savor tastings of over 150 top shelf wine selections. 
The eagerly anticipated Jersey Shore Restaurant Week™ returns to the area April 13-22, 2012. Nearly 70 restaurants from the Highlands to Toms River will be participating, offering three course meals with three choices in each category for $20.12 or $30.12. This year, Restaurant Week will also offer a specially priced lunch option at selected restaurants. 
Broadway in Red Bank, A Red Bank Flavour Event, Monday, April 16th from 6pm-9pm. Held at Two River Theater Co. The event will include cuisine from Red Bank restaurants and a cabaret performance featuring Broadway’s rising stars, vodka, champagne, and wine tastings; passed hors d’oeuvres; premier seating in the Rechnitz Theater; and a meet-and-greet with the artists. For more information, 
Morristown Restaurant Week, Monday, April 23rd – Sunday, April 19th. Restaurant Week businesses will offer prix fix menus for lunch and/or dinner, not to exceed $35 per person, or special promotions in their establishments. Look for the 2012 Morristown Restaurant Week window decal and posters at participating businesses and ask for their Restaurant Week menu or special promotion. For complete event participation list, menus and special promotions, please visit 
Wine Tasting Event, Friday, April 27th from 7pm-10pm. Held at Heritage Vineyards. Get an exclusive chance to taste hand-selected wines from Joe Canals of West Deptford. 80+ wines from around the world will be available for tasting along with a tasty buffet of dinner items from local restaurants. To purchase tickets please call Phyllis at from the Mullica Hill Rotary Club at 856-223-9900 or Heritage Vineyards at 856-589-4474.
Mother’s Day Wine Trail Weekend, Saturday & Sunday, May 12th & 13th. At participating wineries across the state. Many New Jersey wineries will offer a special wine tasting during this trail weekend; a perfect way to spend time with Mom. For trail maps, click here.
Jersey Shore Food Truck Wars, Sunday, May 27th. Join us for the first ever Jersey Shore Food Truck Wars! The top food trucks in town (and out of town) will be rolling in to serve up their delicious dishes and try to earn your vote for People’s Choice. 
BrewFest at the Ballpark, Saturday, June 23rd. Two sessions: 12pm-4pm & 6pm-10pm. Held at the Lakewood BlueClaws Stadium. There will be over 100 styles of beers to taste. There will be local, regional, national, and international brews. There will also be giveaways and a live broad casting from the WRAT. For more information and tickets, 
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Before the viewing, I was able to meet and talk with some of the attendees who came out in support of this cause. Those in attendance included Sandra Lee (Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee, Sandra’s Money Saving Meals), Brooke Johnson (President of Food Network), Bill Shore (Founder and CEO of Share Our Strength), Chuck Scofield (Chief Development Officer of Share Our Strength), Aaron Sanchez(Chopped, Heat Seekers), Alexandra Guarnaschelli (Chopped, Alex’s Day Off), Amanda Freitag (Chopped), Gina & Pat Neely (Down Home with the Neelys), Geoffrey Zakarian (Chopped, The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs), and Ted Allen (Chopped). The event was hosted by Sandra Lee, and fittingly she was the first to make the red carpet entry. And although I was unable to speak with her directly, her opening speech prior to the documentary was truly poignant and moving. I spoke quickly with Amanda Freitag and Alexandra Guarnaschelli, both of whom spoke about raising awareness and coming together to help fight this situation.
The screening was nothing short of impactful. Narrated by anti- hunger activist Jeff Bridges, it focuses on the hidden crisis of childhood hunger in our nation. The film allows viewers to see firsthand how hunger is affecting families throughout the US. From the perspective of three families, viewers are able to see just how hunger is taking its toll upon them. Anti-hunger activists, educators, and politicians motivated to end this problem are featured as well during the documentary. Besides covering the devastating effects of hunger, the film details efforts some are making to put a stop to it. Heroes in the film include a food pantry holder determined to feed those in need and a principal refusing to allow his students to go hungry. The work of government officials and not-for-profit leaders is also documented throughout the movie and showcases how these people are going above and beyond to get necessary resources moving. The people and their efforts put forth in the movie are most definitely helping to fulfill Share Our Strength’s commitment to ending childhood hunger in America by 2015.
The film is part of an ongoing partnership between Food Network and Share Our Strength, whose No Kid Hungry initiative aims to eliminate child hunger in America by 2015 by surrounding children with nutritious food where they live, learn and play.
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The $200 per ticket fundraising event featured mouth watering dishes from more than 50 of the regions most fabulous restaurants like Lobster Francaise, Chile Braised Short Ribs, Beet Risotto Tuscan Style, Local Scallop Ceviche, Mahi Mahi Soft Tacos, Poached Lobster, and an amazing Raw Bar with Clams, Oysters, Crab Claws and Jumbo Shrimp and even Gluten Free offerings just to name a few of the unbelievable choices you had to make. It was a dizzying task. I thought I would need smelling salts just to calm me down. Ok, so I am a little dramatic.
The restaurants had booths decorated like velvet tents where they displayed their lavish dishes for all the guests in a progressive dinner fashion, where you could pick and choose to your hearts content. All the selections were served in creative small plates of every size and shape. I want to have a party just so I can buy some of those cute containers.They were like art pieces. Too bad my handbag was so small. Restaurants included The Palm, Buddakan, The Continental, Morton’s the Steakhouse, Harry’s Oyster Bar, Renault Winery Resort, Smithville Inn and The Ebbitt Room and Washington Inn from Cape May and whew the list went on and on! Oh yea, I know you want to go next year, I know I do.
The high energy music played while everyone was dining and dancing and was performed by the regional favorites Don’t Call Me Francis and The Sensational Soul Cruisers. The crowd loved them, I loved them too. An elegant Dessert Reception extravaganza headed by Master Pastry Chef Eugen Ess of Trump Taj Mahal, completed the night’s events. Everyone always has room for dessert! My friend and I “forced” ourselves to try some of the extraordinarily beautiful displayed choices. Buttery Poundcake, Mango Mousse Cake, Cream Puffs, Chocolate everything and many, many more. 2012 Gala Honoree and Executive Pastry Chef at Harrah’s and Showboat, Chef Deb Pellegrino a 1992 graduate of the Academy of Culinary Arts, was honored by her alma mater. I have included her gluten free Chocolate Cheese Nut Torte Recipe at the bottom.
The event, since 1984 has raised more than $2.5 million for scholarships to benefit students at the Academy and AtlanticCape Foundation operations. The annual black tie event has attracted community leaders, business people, casino executives, food enthusiasts and fun-seekers to come and enjoy the finest showcase of food from some of the best restaurants in the region. See you next year, you don’t want to miss this event!
First of all, it’s authentic Brazilian food, with regular choices for the less adventurous. Everything is made fresh with the best ingredients. Their chickens are free range, their eggs come from our local farmer, their salads are farm fresh, there juice is fresh squeezed, even the corn in some salads they take fresh from the cobs. The cooks are all very experienced and know Brazilian food.
You walk into this sunny, inviting cafe and the the first thing to catch your eye is the display of cheesy muffins they make fresh daily. From there, you can look right into the kitchen and see chefs at work over pots of steaming goodness on the stove. The amazing aroma completes the package and makes everyone eager to eat. 
Boss of the Sauce, Monday, April 9th at 5:30pm. Jenks, Point Pleasant. Stuff your face with mouth-watering samples of sauce, pasta, and gourmet specialties from the area’s finest restaurants and caterers. At the end of it all, you’ll cast your vote for your favorite sauce and let the People’s Choice be heard! Plus, guest judges will also award a Judges’ Choice. 
American Whiskey Tasting, Friday, April 13th from 7pm-10pm. Held at Stockton Inn. Join Jeremiah Goldovitz, manager of fine spirits for Hunterdon Brewing Company, for a tasting of our country’s emerging foray beyond wine and beer, and into craft spirits. For more information, click here. To make reservations: 609-397-1250 or 
Fundraising Event with Tuckahoe Brewing Company, Saturday, April 21st from 3pm-6pm. Raising funds for The Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine. The event will be held at Yesterday’s in Mamora, NJ 609-390-1757. For more information, click or call Tuckahoe at 609-827-5375.
Brownstone Specialty Sauce Tasting, Sunday, April 22nd from 12pm-3pm. Dearborn Market, in Holmdel, will host members of the Manzo Family, from Bravo’s hit series, The Real Housewives of New Jersey, as they sample and discuss the creation of their new line of specialty tomato sauces. guests will be able to taste “The Brownstone” line of pasta sauces and meet members of the Manzo family, including Albert and Caroline Manzo. For more information, click here.
Wine Tasting Event, Friday, April 27th from 7pm-10pm. Held at Heritage Vineyards. Get an exclusive chance to taste hand-selected wines from Joe Canals of West Deptford. 80+ wines from around the world will be available for tasting along with a tasty buffet of dinner items from local restaurants. To purchase tickets please call Phyllis at from the Mullica Hill Rotary Club at 856-223-9900 or Heritage Vineyards at 856-589-4474.
Chili & Salsa Cook-Off, Saturday, May 19th from 11am-5pm. Come to Downtown Toms River to taste tons of chili and salsa. There will be live entertainment, vendors and crafts. For more information: 
Farm-to-Fork Fundraiser, Saturday, June 9th at 6pm. Brady Life Camp in Pottersville, NJ. There will be a farm fresh meal catered, live entertainment, 50/50 and live and silent auctions. Proceeds go towards America’s Grow-a-Row’s mission to positively impact as many lives as possible through a volunteer effort of planting, picking, rescuing, and delivering free fresh produce. For more information and to be a sponsor, please visit: 
Next, we were treated with a delicious food and wine pairing. The Artichoke-Stuffed Artichoke Leaves were a huge hit, with the sweetness of the concentrated balsamic glaze drizzle on the fresh artichokes contrasting beautifully with the snappiness of the organic arugula and Parmesan ingredients. We also tried a Plum Tomato Flatbread and another made with artichokes, each of which were devoured quickly. Our Tomato and Haas Avocado Salad was paired perfectly with a delicious Aveleda Vinho Verde from Portugal. I had never tried Vinho Verde before, and never thought I would like something that translates to “green wine,” but I am now a convert.
A trio of entrees followed: Columbia River Steelhead Trout, Lamb T-Bones with Truffled Mashed Potatoes and Snow Peas With Shitake Mushrooms. All were decadent, yet healthy at 450 calories or less per serving. A selection of Mini Indulgence Desserts in shot glasses rounded out the meal.
Since Morris Tap & Grill opened its doors in July 2011, it has won a loyal clientele of craft beer lovers. Since the neighborhood hot spot hired Food Network Chopped Champion 
The Chef LeVine’s new gastro-pub menu offers a creative way to present pub favorites. On a recent visit, our party savored the Duck Meatballs ($13) – served over creamy polenta with Marsala jus, the Chicken Liver Parfait ($7.50) – served in a mini mason jar with toasted bread, the Lobster Macaroni and Cheese ($14.50) – made with Cotswold and Cheddar cheeses and the Pappardelle with Tender Beef Short Rib in Red Wine Sauce ($15). The duck meatballs were tender and moist with the jus perfectly complimenting the meat. The chicken liver parfait was a smooth-as-silk version of its pâté relative, served in mini mason jars – adorable and delicious. The macaroni and cheese was flavorful and served in a generous portion but the lobster was used very sparingly and I would again order the mac & cheese, but without the crustacean in it. The pappardelle was cooked well and there was a large serving of tender short rib served with it.
