Harvest Moon or JJ Bitting?

Harvest Moon by far.

 

Are you just stopping in for a quick meal and a beer (or two or...) on your way somewhere else? Do you know New Brunswick, parking, etc? Even if you do, it can be an expensive PITA if you just want to get in and get out. So, in that case Bittings is "easier". OTOH, once in NB, you can always stop in elsewhere, like nearby George St. Ale House or The Old Bay.

As far as beer quality, I've always found both places' beers to be just sort of typical of brewpubs, which have to appeal to a broad clientele, and not necessarily the geekery. I've had bad experiences at both, so it's been years since I've been in either place.

Can't remember the particulars of my last Bitting visit other than saying to myself "Well, this'll be my last visit to this place..." I know my last HM meal featured a meal of fish 'n' chips where the breading had the texture and flavor of my little league baseball glove. Fixed that - the glove tasted better.

 

You should go back to Harvest Moon, the new brewer is doing some pretty good stuff. To OP, Harvest Moon has much better beer that Bittings.

 

Sorry @jesskidden that you had a bad experience at Harvest Moon. I've been there no less than 20 times and, while I've never had their fish and chips, I thought the rest of their food has been pretty good. Their daily quesadilla is usually worth getting.

Haven't been there in over a year, though, so maybe things have changed?

 

Ive been to both and although parking by Harvest Moon is a bit of a pain I'd go there 100 x to 1 over JJ.

 

I live close to both of these places and while don't frequent either one I have been to both once or twice in the past year.
Both have been around for quite a few years, and both are making what can be best described as "ok" beer, but like most brewpub beer, neither one iw worth writing home about (both places are wildly inconsistent with regard to both the beer and the food they serve.
But if I had to choose between the two, I think I'd probably give the edge to Bittings despite the fact that I actually live within walking distance of Harvest Moon I find that Bittings' brews and food are marginally better, and that Bittings' staff is a LOT friendlier.

 

100% agree; I find HM to be creative and to hit some really high marks with some of their stuff. I enjoy JJB more for the food, but find their beer to be average / just good enough to go well with their excellent meals.

 

I ate at HM yesterday. Good food. The IPA I had was surprisingly pleasant. I thought the place was above average. Kind of interested to know how their Imperial Stout they are releasing at the end of the month will be. Sounds delicious, but if done improperly could be a really big problem.