I swore there was an existing thread for this brewery, as I remember specific discussions around the origin of the name, but perhaps it was buried in another thread somewhere. Either way, I couldn't find it. Stopped by today for a quick tour and flight to see what they were all about, so I figured I would share my thoughts on the beer. Four 4oz. pours for $7 They have a good variety. In addition to the ones I tried, they have an american farmhouse, wit, grapefruit IPA, a brown ale, and possibly a couple others I'm forgetting. Kolsch: Light, crisp and refreshing as expected for the style. No flaws, but nothing earth shattering. And yes, I've had earth shattering Kolsch's before. Hoppy Kolsch: I assume this is the same beer just with a different and more aggressive hop profile. Also light, crisp and refreshing. Very hop forward in that it has a nice bitterness, along with some citrusy and piney hop flavors. I like this one better. I'm not sure about the hoppy kolsch style (hoppy in an Americanized way) because it takes away from the subtelty of the Kolsch. It was like drinking a pale ale to me. Mosaic, Centennial and Simcoe. Why not just make a pale ale or IPA? Not a rag on Wet Ticket, but this type of beer in general. Dream Ticket DIPA: Here is where it gets interesting. This is a 9.5% DIPA that drinks so well. Very nice balance between sweeter, bready malt flavors and a more citrus and tropical fruit forward hop profile. Crystal clear. Light bodied and smooth for such a big beer. Not boozy at all and no bitterness. Not trying to be something it's not (which there seems to be so much of these days). Just an all around a very good DIPA that drinks so easily for the ABV. Imperial Oatmeal Stout (Nitro): And now the star of the show. So creamy with delicious chocolate, coffee, some roasty flavors along with a nice nutty flavor. It dries out a bit as it warms, which is nice. One of better oatmeal stouts I've had and definitely the winner of the day. So, would I go back? Yes, because it's so damn close to my house and the beers were good at worst, and excellent at best in the case of the stout. Not the sexiest space, or best ambiance for a brewery (there really wasn't any ambience at all), but I like to think that speaks to the fact that they are down to earth guys who want to focus on making good beer. Although I love a nice space as much as the next guy, this is a minor issue for me. I'll take good beer with a lack of sexiness over sexiness with crappy beer.
From their FB page - Some of you have asked where the name Wet Ticket Brewing came from. Leading up to the passing of the 18th Amendment, politicians declared themselves "wets" or "drys" depending on their stance on prohibition. Candidates who worked to repeal prohibition were said to run on the "Wet Ticket." Wasn't sure if you got the explanation behind the name. Anyhow, was there during their soft opening and was very impressed with the quality of the beer. Got to meet the head brewer who was super nice and gracious with his hospitality. They only had 4 beers on tap but I liked them all (Kolsch, Hoppy Kolsch, DIPA and stout). Would definitely go there again even though its about 30 min. drive. I agree that the place wasn't "sexy" but like you, I'll take great beer over a sexy taproom anyday.
Definitely a solid spot, I live close by and have been there three times (including soft opening), and enjoyed their beer each time. Straight-forward styles, well executed and enjoyable. I look forward to enjoying their beers as they continue to grow. They've generally been releasing a new beer every Thursday or so that they call test ticket. My favorite beer so far has been their Imperial Oatmeal stout.
I did a little diddy on them a few weeks back. I actually really enjoyed the place and would go back. I like the thought process behind the beers and I can see them going in a good direction. Their Test Ticket (Think like Kane's Hop Lab series) was Citra Summer Wheat and it was good enough for me to order a full pour. I think they'll only get better over time once they dial in some of those recipes. Sometimes I'm so quick to judge about a new brewery not being dialed in, that it's nice to see a brewery or two already be tapping into that potential.
Checked out WT last week and left thoroughly impressed. The Kolsch was a good representation of the style, the DIPA was good if boozy, and the oatmeal stout was excellent. Worth a visit for the stout alone.
I live really close and still havent been but I will try and make it a point to get there soon! Also, that pizza looks incredible. We all know NJ has the best pizza!!!
Stopped by there a few months ago and liked what I had and saw. I grew up in neighboring Linden and Had been going to the Towne House for their amazing thin crust pizza for years, so was pleased we could bring in a couple of pies to eat while we enjoyed the beer. Highlights for me were the Kölsch and Kick the Bucket Brown. I'd definitely go again.
Same thoughts. Towne House is something special. The Brown is good stuff. I'd say their best beer as of now. I like how they bumped up the hops for the style. I would love to see that in cans, I'd probably even buy a few. Maybe some hope for the fall?
I live close by and have been there about a half dozen times since they've opened. Their beers are very solid - I agree that the Kick the Bucket Brown is great, I'd also recommend the Imperial Oatmeal Stout and the Watermelon Wheat (what is being canned) are my personal favorites. I might try and swing by on Friday afternoon to pick up a 4-pack.
The WW seems to be the crowd favorite but I can not abide it nor 21st Amendments'. Must be me. The Kolsch is still great though
It's not just you. I'm actually surprised they never went with the Citra Summer Wheat. They just never brought it back. I guess they just decided to do the WW instead, to the point of even canning.
From what my local buddies have said, it got seriously positive reviews. The first keg kicked in a day I believe
Stumbled onto/into Wet Ticket recently during my first drive through Rahway in a few years, and was definitely pleasantly surprised. In order, from some notes I took quickly on my phone: I'm typically not a fan of wheat beer in general, but their Hefeweizen was crisp and mild enough that I found it refreshing (meaning it may not be the best representation for someone looking for bigger esters/phenols associated with the style, but it worked for me). The Hoppy Kolsch seems like it has the making of a true workhorse brew; though sweeter than I would've expected, I can imagine it clicking with newer craft drinkers and those out for some solid hop-harmony. A friend who sticks to SNPA and Founders All Day seemed to love it. Trolley Hopper IPA sold me with hints of pineapple juice, resin tingle, and even some grassy-green "dankness" -- all seeming much lighter than the 7.7% ABV. I had been warned that Dream Ticket was a bit hot when it was on tap locally awhile back and passed at the time, but I found it seemingly close to 90 Minute territory: decidedly older-school, relying more on malt sweetness and slightly-piney/orange-oily hopping. Booze did breathe a bit more as it warmed. I can't speak highly enough about the Imperial Oatmeal Stout. Extremely smooth and chocolaty, with sweeter highlights of dark fruit, along with some smokiness, shining through. A personal standout for sure. Watermelon Wheat had just kicked, which is very much in line with what I'd already experienced; three local "walking distance" bars have had it on recently, and all blew threw it within a day or so. I don't think it would've wowed me based on style, but whatever it's doing really seems to work at large, which is great for Wet Ticket at least. Makes sense that they'd push to can it first. Long-winded round-up, so I apologize for the wall of text, but I have to say Wet Ticket was a really nice, unexpected find for me.
The latest release of their NEIPA trolley hopper is really solid. As is their single hop centennial beer. Also I picked up their bourbon aged stout and while I enjoyed it I think it was a little heavy on the bourbon flavor. Couldn’t pick up the notes from the stout very well. Might as well mention since no one has posted in a while that crowlers are now available.
I went a couple weeks back to pick up the anniversary stout and have a flight in between Christmas shopping, but never got around to posting my thoughts. Had a flight of the brown ale, blood orange belgian pale ale, spanktown west coast IPA and pecan porter. The only one I didn't like was the belgian pale ale. Otherwise they were all really good, especially the newly formulated Spanktown West Coast IPA with Amarillo, Simcoe and Citra, which was outstanding. Of course, I had a full pour of the Imperial Oatmeal Stout. I haven't tried the anniversary stout yet but I'm looking forward to it. There aren't many breweries with 15 minutes of my house, but this place is and they know what they're doing.
