Every beer geek has their favorite place. A place where there’s great beer choices, knowledgeable staff to give you informed recommendations and friendly patrons who are happy to join in the beer banter. When I walk in the door I get a warm greeting and an immediate run down of the newest beer just in. Everyone knows your name and whether you are a hophead, malt junkie or a Belgian lover. It’s your favorite……
…Liquor store? You bet. It’s the Christmas season folks and it‘s all about the retail baby! We’ll cover more brewpubs and beer bars in the months to come, but right now I want to talk about my favorite retail establishment and give you some gift giving ideas for the beer lover on your list. My little slice of retail beer nirvana is Jonathon Ron in Brielle.
Matt Yochim and Chris Marvel man the impressive beer section and know just about all there is to know about beer in New Jersey. They’ll also teach you a lot about beer in general too. For instance, I’d always assumed that Belgian style Scotch Ales and Stouts were recently created hybrid beers spawned by some crazy craft brewers. In fact, Matt points out that they were created during World War I to accommodate the British soldiers serving in Belgium. The Belgians used their distinctive yeast strains and tried to mimic British favorites. Little nuggets like that are why it takes me 30 minutes or more on Friday night to pick up a six pack (meanwhile my girl waits for a glass of wine from that bottle I promised to get her. Sorry Hun.)
Ok, so what’s hot for the holiday season? In retail terms, the colder weather means a shift from sales of lighter (and “lite”) beers to more hearty, darker beers. That’s not just perception either. The sales numbers confirm it. The most popular of the holiday seasonals has to be Troeg’s Mad Elf. It’s styled as a Belgian Strong Ale that clocks in at 11% ABV. It’s ruby red color and hints of cherries and honey are indeed festive and warming. Right now, it’s also readily available throughout the state. Another popular trend is beer aged in oak bourbon barrels. There are a ton of them out there and they usually come in “cork and cage” type of bottles which are great gifts as well.
For that extra special someone, how about a bottle of Tactical Nuclear Penguin by BrewDog of Scotland? They make some of the wackiest beers in the world and this 32% ABV Imperial Stout is a beer geeks dream. It’s described as more like a brandy than a beer and is going to be hard to find. Distributors are keeping a close hold and only a select few retail stores may get a bottle or two. At a retail price of approximately $100, this is definitely a “special someone” gift.
How about something not quite so extreme, something a bit more classic? Authentic Belgian Trappist Ale hits the mark. There are only 8 breweries left that can legally be called “trappist”. Not all are available in the United States but at Jonathon Ron you’ll find Westmalle, Koningshoeven, Chimay, Rochefort, and Orval . Chimay offers a nice 3 bottle sampler box that includes a glass (Belgian beer absolutely must be consumed out of the proper glass!) for around $17. You might also look for Ommegang, a Belgian style brewer from upstate New York, who use authentic Belgian Duvel yeast. Their not-to-be-missed seasonals are Tripple Perfection and Adoration.
As you can see, I could continue with recommendations and ideas forever. I won’t. Instead, I’ll just leave you with one more. When you find a retail store with a better than average beer selection you can bet that there will be some dedicated employees making that happen. Get to know them. Not only do I get the skinny on what’s going to be on the shelves next week, I also get honest reviews and recommendations. You don’t have to be a beer expert to talk to Matt and Chris either. Jonathon Ron hosts a beer tasting every Friday from 5pm to 8pm. You’ll find both Matt and Chris there, ready to answer your questions, track down that rare brew, or just shoot the breeze. For even more gift ideas for your favorite Beer Geek, check out Christian DeBenedetti’s article on Eater.com.
Hoppy Holidays folks!
Pete’s Pick:
What do I want under the tree this year? The Ommegang gift set would be a great place to start. Three bottles of great Belgian style beer (and not their usual production beers either) plus a really nice glass. I want one.
Matt Yochim’s Pick:
Tactical Nuclear Peguin. Matt’s tried them all. He’s tough to impress. Nothing else will do but the craziest beer available!
Chris Marvel’s Pick:
Allagash Black. Remember the history lesson? It’s a Belgian Stout. The beer isn’t rare or crazy but anything from this Portland, ME brewer is going to be good. Any beer geek would love to see it in his stocking.
Peter Culos is the editor of “Beer Bites,” a new monthly feature about breweries, bars and good beer in the garden state. A graphic designer by day, and a life long New Jersey resident, Peter was first introduced to the novel idea that beer could actually have flavor during several visits to the UK. He’s been riding the craft beer bus ever since. It has been called the ultimate social lubricant and Peter’s philosophy on beer is, “I’d rather split my last good beer with a friend than drink the whole thing by myself.” Besides beer he also likes history, dogs, Jeeps and painting. In the past, he has written a History and Art blog for the Weider History Group and occasionally contributes to his own blog, history-geek.com. Life is short. Drink good beer.
I’ve lived my whole life on the Jersey Shore and have never seen a whale. These fishermen weren’t expecting to see one either. Neither was the seagull who ended up as lunch. According to the 
Plum on Park, Montclair – the newest addition to the breakfast scene in the Montclair area. Plum, as I like to call it, is set in an old-time diner car (see, there’s that diner thing again) but as soon as you walk in, you see this is not your typical diner (the cool crystal chandeliers give it away). Open only for breakfast and lunch (closed Sunday), Plum is owned by Natalie Colledge, whose family owns the Styertowne Bakery in Clifton. Offering a tidy breakfast menu and interesting specials on Saturdays, in the past couple of weeks we’ve enjoyed the deliciously light pancakes, a special omelet of sprouts, bacon, and pepper jack cheese, and a Jersey classic, Taylor ham, egg, cheese sandwich. The coffee is terrific, and the warm, friendly service by Natalie and her staff is so welcoming that I could sit there all day enjoying the comfortable atmosphere and authentic cappuccino. The best part for me? Being able to get those fresh baked treats, like the incredible old-fashioned German crumb cake, the awesome Russian Tea Cake, and a delicious apple-cinnamon-pecan concoction.
Moving a little to the west brings us to The Fine Diner in Clinton. Not really a diner at all, but more like a roadhouse, The Fine Diner is located in a quaint little village that is the perfect destination for a drive in the country. The Fine Diner is sort of like Clinton’s version of “Cheers” (…where everybody knows your name) – the gathering spot to catch up on local news and watch babies grow up. There is a nice small town, mid-America feel to this (maybe this is what New Jersey was like 50 years ago?). But I digress, on to the food. The menu has all your breakfast standards, with about 7-8 pancake variations and some very different French toast options, not to mention a myriad of omelet choices. Be forewarned: the servings are huge. The Fine Diner is open Tuesday-Sunday. 1 Old Highway 22, Clinton. 908-238-1637. 
On our most recent visit my husband enjoyed the Eggplant Rollatini appetizer, while I had the Stuffed Artichoke filled with breadcrumbs and cheese served in a white wine butter sauce. I literally eat this every time I go there. Of course it’ s meant for two to share, but I just can’ t give any of it up. The flavors are so amazing. Ok, maybe I give him a bite or two because I don’ t want to endure the pouting!
I have a rule with myself to try a different entrée every time I dine here because you just can’ t go wrong. Hence, I’ve tried everything from the Milano Special (mentioned above), Rigatoni with Vodka Sauce, Zuppa Di Pesce VIP Over Linguini (Lobster, shrimp, scallops, calamari, scungilli, clams, mussels and fish in a rich tomato broth over linguini). However, my personal favorite is a special called the Chicken Milano. Well, I have to admit I’ve definitely ordered this more than once; so much for rules. The Chicken Milano is rolled and stuffed with ricotta and prosciutto, covered with a brown mushroom sauce and served with broccoli, potato wedges and a side of penne pasta. The taste of the mushroom sauce alone is superb, not to mention the amazingly savory ricotta cheese. All the flavors combined results in a dish you won’ t soon forget.
Visiting the Chocolate Show in November was perfect timing for snapping up specialty treats and discovering great finds for holiday gift buying. Raw chocolate was a 
Sendall Chocolates: Bob Sendall, a bigwig in the culinary world as a chef, event producer, and cookbook co-author, has been working his magic for more than 20 years. Throughout that time, Sendall has kept busy catering to the Heinz family, teaching at the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute and, in 2009, planning dinner for President Obama’s G-20 Summit. He also concocted his own special candy treat that he bestowed on friends, family, and guests, never intending to make it part of his business. But seven years ago, his “Toffee Taboo” hit the market and it is not to be missed.
Xocolatti: A brand-new chocolatier based in Scarsdale, NY, Xocolatti impressed me with their gorgeous candy crafting and packaging, unique flavors, and family-business warmth. Available online only at the moment (
Co Co. Sala: Co Co. Sala is a “chocolate lounge & boutique” in Washington, DC, so jot it down in your travel notebook for the next time you’re road-tripping to the nation’s capitol. It offers both a bistro-style restaurant and a chocolate boutique. Meeting the hip, funny, enthusiastic owners and chocolatier, I think it’s a safe bet that the place is well worth a visit. The sight of chocolate-covered bacon (whole strips, mind you!) lovingly packaged in a clear tube for gift-giving made me laugh out loud. Owner Bharet Malhotra offered a sample and explained that it landed on their chocolate menu by popular demand after customers first tasted it crumbled on top of the lounge’s mac & cheese dish.
No Chewing Allowed has been crafting these exquisite gems in France since 1934. It was a delight to see their playful logo over their exhibit table, fun to be teased by the charming vendor who noticed how many times I reappeared at his table with my notebook and camera, and a real treat to sample their truly first-rate truffles while they kept watch with stern reminders of “no chewing allowed!” I couldn’t resist buying a tin to bring to my Thanksgiving hosts, and was happy to discover that No Chewing Allowed will be included in a handful of holiday markets in the city through December. More info, and online ordering, available at 
I’ve often heard about the traditional Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes from many of my Italian friends, but being a combination of Irish and German, I’ve never had a chance to partake in this seafood extravaganza. On Friday night, Chef Geoffrey Johnson invited Celebrity Chef 
I have a new favorite sandwich joint; The Princeton Soup & Sandwich Company in Palmer Square in Princeton. Devine, delightful and deliriously good soup, sandwiches and chili (judging by how fast my darling husband vacuumed it up)!
I did mooch some of the fries, or frites, and they were delicious-thick and crispy, well-seasoned. I steered clear of the chipotle mayo, but hubby loved it.
