Advice: Bottle Shops + Bars Near District 96?

As far as Craft beer bars go, Growler and Gill, as well as Ambulance House are within 5 minutes of District 96.

 

Not sure if you're aware, but District 96 is attached to burger loft They usually have good stuff on tap like equilibrium and hvb. I do second @Rocktire with ambulance usually having better stuff on tap.

As far as bottle shops, cable beverages is right down the road from D96/Burger Loft. It's probably the best bottle shop in the county. If they happen to have a D96 keg tapped, it will be cheaper than if you filled a growler at the brewery.

 

Cable has a good selection and good prices, but be aware of the fact that it's a literal shoebox and if ANYONE else is in the store with you, it'll feel like they're on top of you the whole time.

Also, if you're looking for _____ beer, it'll be in seven different spots in the store.

 

If you are going to District 96 I would suggest stopping at Industrial Arts on the way. Awesome Brewery.
If you have any level of beer nerd-dom, you have to go to Cable Beverage. It looks like the residence of a beer hoarder. Just be sure to check dates. You may get a week old IPA or you may get a year old IPA. The usually have Sip of Sunshine in the Cooler so ask and then see what else is there in the "not really secret-secret" cooler

 

You're gonna get your best prices on growlers at Cable and the best selection. Let me 2nd the advice on checking dates, especially IPAs. Also, check their FB page to see what was recently delivered to help with this. Growler and Gill and Ambulance House can be quite pricy for a growler, but have the best craft beer selection in the area outside D96. Defiant Brewery is also 10 mins south. Their beers don't really pop, but it's a nice space and the BBQ there is tasty. I'm a sucker for their Hawaiian beef jerky. I would take an Industrial Arts trip before a Defiant one though.

 

Bumping this thread rather than making a new one. I'm going to be in the "area" next weekend, and was wondering what you guys thought would be the best course of action.

My original plan was to hit up Equilibrium in the morning for some cans and then drive to Industrial Arts for some cans on my way back to where I'm staying in Jersey. BUT, I didn't realize that District 96 is also pretty close.

What would you guys suggest doing out of those three? I wanted to stop at IA just because it's kind of on the way home and would be an easy pickup, but now I'm not sure. How do Equilibrium can releases work? Can I arrive at 11:30ish and get cans? Not interested in waiting on line. Is it worth stopping there for pours if I don't want to go early? I've never had any of their beers before so I'm definitely intrigued, but it is a bit out of the way.

D96 doesn't have can releases right? Is it worth stopping by just to hit up the tap room? (Note: I won't be the one driving). Burger Loft does seem nice, maybe I'll stop there for a beer and lunch on the way back.

I know this is a pretty open ended question, just curious what you guys think.

 

If you have most of the early afternoon I would suggest doing all three. I don't want to over promise, but seems you should be good to get cans at EQ at 11:30/noon based on the last couple of releases. They'll also have crowlers usually, but note no tap room for pours (the restaurant next door may have some of their beers on draft however)

Industrial Arts is ~45 minutes SE and should have at least a couple of cans. Cool spot, no food though. Doesn't open until 1 depending on your EQ trip.

Note depending on where you're staying in NJ, IA may be a little out of your way but probably not much more than 15-20. If you do go that direction D96 is basically on your way south and a must-stop to finish your trip. No cans (yet) but can grab beers and crowlers to go from the excellent tap room, and after a 3-brewery trip the burger and fries will hit the spot. Enjoy!

 

Awesome, thank you man. Need to decide is making the drive out to EQ is worth it if there's a chance I won't get anything and they don't do pours. Guess I can see what they're releasing and try to gauge hype.

Will definitely try to stop at Burger Loft/D96 to end off the afternoon. Sounds great.

 

Just to complicate matters a bit, Rushing Duck is just a stone's throw from Equilibrium.

 

Unless it's some hyped up collab, Equilbrium cans usually last a few hours. The past few times I was there, I was able to walk in between 1-2PM and get a couple 4 packs with no wait. I would not count on the restaurant next to Equilibrium having a lot of EQ beers on tap. Last Saturday they only had MC2. District 96 will probably have 1-2 Equilbrium beers on tap though, FYI.

Assuming you're not adding Rushing Duck to the mix, I agree with Equilibrium > Industrial Arts > District 96. Industrial Arts is releasing Torque Wrench this Friday so hopefully that lasts into Saturday for you.

 

And essentially on the way from EQ to Industrial Arts. Makes for a pretty nice little Saturday.

 

lol please guys. If I add another brewery to this trek I think my girlfriend's head will explode. But realistically just don't have the time.

All great information. It'd be a real kicker to drive out to EQ and not get anything, so I'll play it by ear based on the announcement. Even if it seems too crazy we'll have plenty to do otherwise, and hopefully can get a EQ pour at D96, worst case scenario.

Thanks everyone. Appreciate the solid info.

 

I mean, if youre making the trip up might as well swing by Suarez Family and HVB

 

Another vote for Rushing Duck It's 15-20 minutes away.

Pork Belly Tacos

 

Rushing Duck is great, but it's more like a 35 min drive

 

Ambulance’s roster, for the anniversary event, is ludicrous

 

We went on Sunday. A lot of kegs were kicked by then, but we got to try the BA Hoof-Hearted Fitness Freak which was fantastic.