My friend is flying up to NJ from Georgia and asked me for recs on beers to try or buy at stores. I think he is mainly looking for easy to find stuff at grocery stores or a bottle shop. Any local or non-GA distro stuff he could find?
FY(well, "his") I - Very few grocery stores in NJ are licensed to sell beer - he's going to want to shop in liquor stores, of which there are many good ones. Is he going to Middlesex County or the town of Middlesex (within the county)?
That ain't what the official map on Middlesex County's website says (northwest corner): Or Middlesex Borough's official map. (Unless there's another Middlesex Borough? Not unheard of in NJ to have 2 towns with the same name - see Washington, Millstone, Monroe, etc.) But I agree that if you're staying in the area, you're more likely to do your beer shopping in Somerset or Union counties. I'm not up that way much anymore - ~20 years ago I'd have recommended Oak Tree in South Plainfield and Super Saver, Rt. 22 in Somerville - but the OP would be better off with some more recent reviews.
He is probably 15 minutes from Super Buy Rite in NP as @TheGent mentioned or a 20 minute drive to Joe Canals in Woodbridge. Both have great selections.
Not to mention Red Bank and then the historic Battle of Red Bank, which was nowhere near the town of Red Bank (it took place in near what is now National Park, NJ which ironically doesn’t have a national park nor has any association with one). I always get a kick out of @jesskidden ’s second love: Geography (I’m a big fan too )
I think it's pretty much obligatory (I was gonna add "...and if you don't someone else will..." but, now it's kinda taken care of. Phew.)
Bottle Republic on Easton Ave in Somerset has a nice craft selection. He can also try out Ashton Brewing which is on Lincoln Blvd in Middlesex in the old Demented Brewing space.
