EWR -> Poconos: breweries or bottle shops?

My sister lives in the area, and there's really not much in terms of notable breweries. Magnify in NJ is solid and shouldn't be too bad a detour since you’ll probably end up on 80 anyway. I see Brix City may be en route, have had a few decent NEIPA from them but not sure what their taproom/can availability is like.

If you’ll be around Stroudsburg, Penn Stroud Beverage isn’t bad, picked up some Other Half there on a past visit.

When I want to find a bottle shop in a random area I usually use the Untappd map, even if the places don’t subscribe you can check all the close liquor stores and see what people are picking up.

 

Garys in Madison is mildly off the route I presume you'll take, but they usually have a good selection and they actually have an accurate online inventory, so you're not guessing. Brix city is pretty meh, magnify is solid enough for a good NEIPA as it goes but likely won't WOW you.
Going to garys would make hitting twin elephant easier which I think beats magnify.

 

I’m about to suffer a weekend in the Poconos for a bachelor party next month. It’s pretty much a black hole for beer. I’m just bringing some good tequila and hoping it goes by fast.

 

Depending on where in the poconos you are heading, Sabatinis Bottle Shop & Bar in Exeter Township outside Wilkes-Barre may be worth a stop.

 

Although I agree the Poconos may not be the greatest place for drinking craft beer, I have enjoyed several stop at Barley Creek (Tannersville) and Pocono Brewing Company (Swiftwater) over the years.

 

Besides Human Robot (either in Philly or Jenkintown), the two suburban breweries I would hit on the way north would be to take Route 309 and hit Forest & Main in Ambler, and Free Will in Perkasie.

Where exactly in the Pocono area are you headed?

What styles of beer you looking for? Human Robot excels in Czech / German lagers, Forest & Main has great low abv English beers, Saisons, IPAs. Free Will is pretty well rounded, and has a few barrel aged sours again now (their sour cellar was wiped out by a flood a couple years ago)

 

Then those places along 309 aren't a crazy detour, you can just get on the Turnpike at the Quakertown exit to finish the journey north.

 

Philly, Human Robot, Other Half. Bring coolers, buy ice.

Poconos is an overpriced tourist trap for NYer’s and NJ’ers who don’t know any better or don’t properly prepare.

Been here since 98’ and I buy all of my beer in NYC, or at Human Robot or Lehigh Valley (Shangy’s is an exclusive Tired Hands distributor).

The main issue with The Poconos is distribution footprint. A few shop owners try their best, but it is, always has been, and always will be a macro dominated beer wasteland.

If you have a spare day maybe make the trek on on I84 to Equilibrium and Drowned Lands. Actually a very nice scenic drive.

It all just depends on what styles you prefer.

 

Bright Path Brewing in Jim Thorpe. Very easy if you are coming up 309, make a right onto 209 then a left onto 903 (this will get you to Blakeslee as well). Specialize in lagers and session ales, mostly 5% and under. Food trucks and sometimes a cask on the hand pump on weekends.

 

It may be a little bit off your route but Wallenpaupack Brewing has a wide range of beer and you can pick up a mixed case for $75. I have never had something offensive from them but some a certainly better than others.

https://order.toasttab.com/online/wallenpaupack-brewing-company

In terms of what they have right now, the Cream Ale and Great outdoors (black and tan) were pretty decent. You could do a lot worse than $75 for 6 x 4 packs right now.

 

Did you end up hitting any spots other than Human Robot?