Highrail Brewing Permanently Closed

Discussion in 'Mid-Atlantic' started by MacMalt, May 29, 2023.

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  1. MacMalt

    MacMalt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,322) Jan 28, 2015 New Jersey
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    This past Saturday, after hiking along the Columbia Trail on a beautiful afternoon, my wife, daughter, and I stopped at Highrail Brewing for a beer. I'd been there a few times before (1-2 times a year since it opened in 2019). It's a small brewery on the main street in the quaint town of High Bridge. The beer was always enjoyable - and in some cases, like the IPA "Trails," quite good.

    When we arrived I was surprised how few options were available - only a stout on draught and can pours of a Session IPA and a Red Ale. We discovered to our dismay that the brewery was closing and that the next day (yesterday) was its last day. Today, I checked the Facebook page and saw that indeed it's now permanently closed.

    Last year, a car crashed into the storefront of the brewery and caused extensive damage but it reopened approximately a month later serving beer left in the tanks. It did take some time to resume brewing new beer but checking the Facebook posts, everything appeared normal until the end of April, including regular releases, events in the brewery, and can availability. I didn't ask the bartender for details about the closure.

    Although Highrail Brewing was about 40 minutes from my home and therefore only a periodic destination for me, I'm saddened to see it close. It had a homey, friendly atmosphere and was a fun place to grab a beer after hiking. Does anyone know what caused it to close permanently?
     
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  2. tynian16

    tynian16 Pundit (770) Oct 23, 2015 New York

    I don't know if this is true or not but I heard the landlord increased rent by quite a bit. There's also a rumor they are going to move down the street to a more affordable location. Again, take both of those statements as a guess, not facts.
     
  3. schteve

    schteve Pundit (884) Sep 10, 2003 New Jersey

    I've heard the same as @tynian16. I have no internal knowledge, but heard it's more than just Highrail suffering from this situation in High Bridge.
     
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  4. Flashy

    Flashy Pooh-Bah (1,767) Oct 22, 2003 Vermont
    Pooh-Bah

    Nice little spot. I heard the same thing about the rent hike.
     
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  5. SPRichard

    SPRichard Maven (1,296) Apr 26, 2008 New Jersey
    Trader

    Eskerhart is moving in the space as per their Instagram page
     
  6. DrStiffington

    DrStiffington Grand Pooh-Bah (3,740) Oct 27, 2010 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I went there once after a hike. Thought it was a nice place and enjoyed what I drank. Sorry it didn’t work out for them.

    Had to look up Eskerhart on IG. Seems they already have a following.
     
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  7. MacMalt

    MacMalt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,322) Jan 28, 2015 New Jersey
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I hadn't heard of them either. I see that they gypsy brew up in Connecticut. When I looked at the list of its beers on BA I was surprised to see reviews from all over the country. Interesting distribution. The website indicates that I can find Esker Hart locally; I'll have to start looking.
     
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  8. RobHB

    RobHB Zealot (586) Aug 20, 2017 New Jersey

    Ester Hart brewed an OUTSTANDING Baltic Porter in collaboration with Alternate Ending. Sad for Highrail, hope those folks reestablish themselves in another location.

    Looking forward to Esker Hart
     
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  9. briansnat

    briansnat Aspirant (256) Nov 18, 2005 New Jersey

    I recently noticed someone moving boxes into the old High Rail location. I stopped and spoke with who I assume was an owner of Esker Hart. He said they are basically through with the permitting process and will start brewing soon, with an expected opening in late March or early April
     
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