If You Had a Chance to Craft a Draft List in NJ

Six taps devoted to craft beer in addition to the macros?
I'll reply based on "yes" to that question.

I'd chose to keep 2 taps dedicated to NJ beer, rotating Kane, Carton, and Flying Fish primarily. (I do not know the location of the taproom so I may be taking liberty.)
I can cover IPA easily with those three, in fact, Kane Head High would be in heavy rotation.

I would dedicate 2 taps to California/ West Coast beer. Stone, SN, Lags are readily available in NJ bars.
That gives more IPA options, not to mention specials like Arrogant Bastard, Cali-Belgique, Anchor, etc.

My plans for the 2 remaining taps would go this way: A New England brew on regular rotation. I think of Allagash White, it covers Belgian (style) at a realistic price...and women like it, that's important. That leaves Smuttynose, Sam Adams, Long Trail, etc. as options.
Finally, something from NY (Brooklyn, Blue Point, Ithica, etc.) or PA on rotation.

As for seasonal beers, Sams, FF, Brooklyn, etc. fit the bill.

I'd keep the macros, too. Nothing packs a bar like AALs and Guinness. They sell.
I would not be adverse to Leinie's either, especially Summer Shandy. Remember, women like it.

I realize that this is just an "off the top of my head" thumbnail sketch plan. And while far from comprehensive (i.e., there are many, many West Coast options to explore), I'd be comfortable starting this list.

Good luck and congrats!

PS: Maybe this thread should be in the Mid-Atlantic forum.

 

For local beer, River Horse makes some dandy brews.

 

Am I the only one on here that's bothered by people using BA for help doing their job? You have six taps to figure out. Doesn't seem all that difficult.

Taps:
1 - Rotating local tap (Kane, Carton)
2 - Rotating seasonal - not necessarily local, but at least regional (Troegs Mad Elf comes to mind)
3 - Some kind of lager - Sams Boston/Great Lakes Dortmunder/even a Bolero Snort to keep it local
4 - I'd typically say an IPA of some sort, but most likely your NJ beer will already be an IPA. Maybe a rotating regional Pale/IPA (Victory Headwaters/Hop Devil, Troegs Perpetual, Dogfish 60/90)
5 - Allagash White
6 - Guiness

I wouldn't devote any of your six to BMC - people will take bottles if that's what they want.

I don't mean to come off like a dick. It just doesn't seem all that difficult, and it seems like these threads keep popping up more and more lately - a lot of the times from people who have zero history on BA.

 

I would have two of those taps permanently serving Kane Head High and Carton Boat Beer.
I would rotate Flying Fish, Victory, Troegs, Ithaca, Cricket Hill (even other styles from Kane and Carton) based on season
The 6th tap I would rotate a brewery non beer geeks would be familiar with (Sierra Nevada, Founders, even Magic Hat)

Take what I say with a grain of salt. Except for watching Bar Rescue, I know nothing about the bar business.

 

Make sure to choose breweries with good seasonal releases. It's not just about what available beers are good. Bell's I think is available in the area and you want the place to have sold enough bell's that you're in line to get some hopslam when it becomes available to the area. Lagunitas, Stone, etc are all great breweries to cultivate relationships with

 

Bell's isn't available in NJ.

 

Kane
Carton
Ramstein
Troegs
Weyerbacher
Rotating