On tap at Track 84, soothingly approachable moderate-bodied India Pale Ale plies bittersweet citrus fruiting to mild resinous hop oiling and crystal malt sugaring. Subtle orange-peeled grapefruit bitterness allows tangerine, peach, cantaloupe, melon, apple, pear and mango illusions to flourish alongside. Slight vodka burn invigorates juicy fruited finish.
On tap at Track 84, smoothly crystalline apple-juiced saison utilizes champagne yeast to provide inviting white-wined cider lilt. Subtle lemony orange souring and tannic yellow grape esters fill the backend, but advertised apple adjunct relegated to a certain anonymity.
On tap at Dog & Cask, robust porter brings rich dark-roasted mocha malting to roasted hop bittering. Abrupt coffee-milked dark chocolate initiation followed up by burnt caramel, vanilla bean and burnt toast illusions, keeping its thickly creamed lactic mocha assertion firmly intact.
On tap at Dog & Cask, extremely dry-hopped bitter pays homage to the Ramones punk classic, “Blitzkrieg Bop.” Coarse bark-dried pine needling and sharp lemon-pitted yellow grapefruit rind bittering lead the way, picking up spiced apple and orange wisps. Light acetone pungency underscores tangy citric finish.
On tap at Dog & Cask, versatile Scotch Ale seems reminescent of a helles bock with its rich honeyed malting and persistent dried fruiting. Sweet ‘n sour fig, prune and raisin illusions consume creamy caramel malting. Sugary toffee backup and tertiary apple, pear and peach snips contrast peaty earthiness beneath the surface.
Elegant caramel-spiced Belgian pale ale contrasts sugar-caned fruit sweetness with light brettanomyces yeast earthiness and dry Scotch tinge. Subtle bourbon warmth soothingly softens orange-dried cider tartness, buttery Chardonnay respite, oaken vanilla niceties and mild banana daiquiri illusions. Tertiary pineapple, apricot, red apple, pear and peach nuances drift in and out.
Fine springtime moderation brings easygoing citric bliss and ‘delicate floral hops’ to its grain-toasted ‘fresh baked bread’ base. Setback grapefruit, tangerine, navel orange and white grape nuances suffice for winsomely sunny respite.
Casual amber ale leads with toasted caramel sugaring before tossing earthen peat moss atop faded fruit-spiced nuttiness. Dryer towards the finish, its nutty pecan-hazelnut conflux, blood orange souring and red cherry tartness stay reserved behind the delightful caramel-malted overture.
Pleasant silver-canned moderation maintains stylishly soft tone crossing dewy peat musk of English-styled IPA with citric Amarillo-Simcoe hop bite and resinous piney bittering of American IPA. Mild floral herbage seeps into dainty orange-peeled pink grapefruit, pineapple, tangerine, mango and peach tones above muted earthen bottom.
Easy flowing moderation brings sweet navel orange zest to soft hop bittering and delicate caramel malt sugaring. Candied pineapple, grapefruit, tangerine and mango tang sweetened by orange blossom fragrance just below the surface. Minor aspirin astringency beckons at floral fruited finish.
Sugarcane syrup provides sweet foundation for honey-spiced caramel malting, zesty citric effervesence and floral-perfumed hop zest. Dry navel orange, tart grapefruit, overripe lemon and peach undertones reach the crisply clean sugared finish. Simple. Effective.
MONTVILLE, NEW JERSEY
Definitely one of Jersey’s best beerpubs, POOR HENRY’S PUB & RESTAURANT has been in business since 1975. In a fieldstone-bricked ranch (with aquamarine trim and sidewalk cafe), this Old World tavern on Route 202 could be defined as an Irish-styled pub, dive bar, gin mill or family restaurant. Each description fits the otherwise inconspicuous establishment well.
Founded by Kenny Garrity, Poor Henry’s originated in nearby East Hanover and served Guinness Stout to experimental palates. But while that Irish bar ceased to exist, the newly established Montville gastropub continues to flourish. During 2011, Garrity’s son, Jesse, expanded the draught selection and brought craft beers onboard.
Featuring outstanding pub fare (prime rib, burgers, pasta, fish) and a quickly revolving 23-tap selection, Poor Henry’s is divided into two distinct sections. To the left, a home-styled dining area with 4-seat tables serves lunch and dinner while the rectangular right side bronze-topped bar (with multiple TV’s and blackboard tap listing) maintains a bustling sportsbar appeal.
On the side walls, several road signs and auto licenses mix with several craft beer banners from Dogfish Head, Full Sail and Ithaca (plus a green-clover neon sign promoting Heineken and a Guinness ad). The extraordinary bottled specialties on this February 2015 sojourn included Brooklyn K Is For Kriek, Victory Oak Aged Horizontal Barleywine, Clown Shoes Peace Money Can’t Buy, Lost Abbey Inferno Belgian Golden, Guinness 1759 Amber Ale eith Smoked Peat, Epic Elder Brett Saison and Allagash Midnight Brett.
Grabbing a seat at the bar for a short mid-afternoon jaunt, I down fudgy dessert treat, Neshaminy Creek Coconut Mudbank Milk Stout (reviewed in Beer Index). Afterwards, I return for dinner with wife in tow and the bar has gone from practically empty to completely crowded. So we took a dining table and order two delicious mainstay menu items: Faroe island dilled salmon and Pizza with bacon, sauteed onions and mozzerella. Alongside the food, I consume four samplers of previously untried libations including sessionable Green Flash Jibe IPA and collaborative Du Claw/ Cigar City Impey Barbicane Moongun Amber as well as Wild Beer Induna Cru Saison (with apples) and Du Claw Hell On Wood Bourbon-aged Barleywine.
As much a friendly neighborhood hangout as a great destination spot, Poor Henry’s warm, rustic charm will please everyone with its fresh food, interesting brews and cozy atmosphere.