Newark to Princeton advice

Discussion in 'Mid-Atlantic' started by elliott1184, Oct 5, 2016.

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  1. elliott1184

    elliott1184 Maven (1,320) Mar 31, 2011 Minnesota
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    I'll be in Princeton this weekend (flying in and out of Newark). Does anyone have advice on stuff to try and/or recommendations for bottle shops / bars/ breweries /restaurants? Kane and Carton are on my radar, though I wasn't finding much on beermenus either in Princeton or directly along the way from Newark. Vault? Other NJ/NJ distro'd stuff to try? Does Kane sell cans in shops or only at the brewery?

    Won't have much time to stray off course very far, so if there's anything in or very near Princeton, or a quick stop off in between that I should check out, that would be ideal. Thanks in advance for any help!
     
  2. Norexyet

    Norexyet Initiate (0) Nov 23, 2015 New Jersey
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    Kane is brewery only. Might see it on tap in Princeton. Carton distributes but it's more miss than hit on their cans outside the brewery. Triumph is right on Nassau Street in Princeton. The beers are average but the space is really nice and the food is decent. Winberie's is alright but their draft prices suck.
     
  3. Jacobier10

    Jacobier10 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,102) Feb 23, 2004 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    Triumph Brewing is your best bet within Princeton. The food is great. The beer is very good but not amazing.

    Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville is about 15 mins from Princeton and might carry Carton cans or have a Carton or Kane beer available for a growler fill, but you should probably call and ask before going.

    Kane does not distribute cans, you have to go to the brewery to purchase them. You might find Carton or Kane on tap at a bar nearby, but I don't go out in that area enough to know which bars would have them.
     
  4. tinkfist

    tinkfist Initiate (0) May 11, 2016 New Jersey

  5. Axic10

    Axic10 Maven (1,386) Mar 15, 2008 New Jersey
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    FYI the Canals in Lawrenceville doesn't fill growlers anymore.
     
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  6. Axic10

    Axic10 Maven (1,386) Mar 15, 2008 New Jersey
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    If you are looking for a good meal as well as grabbing a beer, definitely check out Vault. They are having their 4th Anniversary on Sunday, which will have a bottle release of a BA RIS and a Coffee RIS. Unos in Hamilton has a surprisingly good tap selection as well. Not terribly far out of the way is Conclave in Flemington, very good beers that are worth checking out.
     
  7. SammyJaxxxx

    SammyJaxxxx Initiate (0) Feb 23, 2012 New Jersey

    Not sure what time your flight comes in. If you head from Newark to Fairfield (30-40) minutes you can hit Magnify and Cricket Hill. Magnify has a can release on Fri. I suspect it will last til Saturday.
    From Fairfield head west to route 287 south. Go to Flemington and hit Conclave. Since you are going to Princeton it is not that far out of the way. They don't can or bottle yet but you can get growlers. Yes it is worth it.

    Hit up Kane and Carton over the weekend. Carton has an 077 variant a Pumpkin Cream and a Smoked Sour Porter in Cans right now.
    Kane should have Head high cans. They might release more Overhead cans this weekend. There were bottles of 1825 last week. Not sure if there are any left.
     
  8. cp45

    cp45 Pooh-Bah (2,076) Nov 20, 2012 New Jersey
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    When did they stop? Any reason for it?
     
  9. Axic10

    Axic10 Maven (1,386) Mar 15, 2008 New Jersey
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    Within the last 2 months. I'm not sure if your are part of the NJ Craft Beer Club, but there was a post on the Facebook page about JC giving away free growlers to members, only for somebody to mention that they removed their taps. I was there on Monday and the tap section has been removed.
     
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  10. jesskidden

    jesskidden Grand Pooh-Bah (3,145) Aug 10, 2005 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    12 miles east of Princeton (but only a couple of miles off NJ Tpk Exit 8A), Cranbury BuyRite often has Kane and Carton beers on their growler taps - BeerMenus says they had Carton Boat and Kane Hop Lab Citra when last updated (9/30). It also occasionally (and briefly) carries Carton canned beer with a 1 4-pk limit typically when available.

    A few miles south of Cranbury, Tavern on the Lake also carries both brewers' beers at times but doesn't do growler fills (wrong license I guess? NJ ABC says they have a "32" license, which should allow for growlers.).
     
  11. schillman

    schillman Initiate (0) Oct 7, 2009 New Jersey

    Kane Head High was on tap at Newark Airport when I flew out last month (Terminal C). Tasted fresh too!
     
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  12. gardenstatepkwy

    gardenstatepkwy Zealot (541) Jun 1, 2014 New Jersey

    Rocky Hill Inn usually has around 15 beers on tap and good food as well. Old historic building.
     
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  13. zeuiax

    zeuiax Zealot (673) May 1, 2016 New York

    I second Winberie's. Here you go..http://princeton.winberies.com/beer-menu/ they have Kane headhigh and singlefin right now. Triumph is meh....if you want to Hoagie go to hoagie heaven its really good. There is wildflowers but its in Hopewell.
     
  14. zeuiax

    zeuiax Zealot (673) May 1, 2016 New York

    I second this too great beers, nice neighborhood vibe and pretty decent fish and chips.
     
  15. BJC

    BJC Zealot (626) Nov 9, 2002 New Jersey

    On Route 1, try the Brick House near Princeton; Happy Hour has $3 pints and they should have Kane and other local beers
     
  16. elliott1184

    elliott1184 Maven (1,320) Mar 31, 2011 Minnesota
    Trader

    Do any bars or restaurants have Conclave on draft, or is it taproom only?

    Is Carton regular coffee around?
     
  17. KingforaDay

    KingforaDay Pooh-Bah (2,445) Aug 5, 2010 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Conclave had 2 beers on tap at the Somerset Hotel Tap Room last week week as part of a NJ Brewery only event but it's generally Brewery only.
    You won't find Carton Regular Coffee around but I am sure if you brought some Surly with you, you could set up an IP trade for pretty much any NJ beers you are looking for.
     
    #17 KingforaDay, Oct 7, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2016
  18. elliott1184

    elliott1184 Maven (1,320) Mar 31, 2011 Minnesota
    Trader

    Really appreciate all the recommendations so far! If anyone has more, please let me know!

    Usually when I travel I'll set up an IP trade or 2, and bring some beer along in my suitcase. We're not checking a bag this time (we're just coming for the weekend) so I won't be able to bring any beers along. Thanks for the offers though!

    We're coming to Princeton to look at houses, get a feel for the town etc., in anticipation of a possible move there. I probably won't have much time for side trips, but I am really tempted to drive up to other half on Saturday for a few cans. Any advice on if I could do this in 3 ish hours from Princeton, or is it more of a half day Quest?
     
  19. zeuiax

    zeuiax Zealot (673) May 1, 2016 New York

    Princeton to OH and back will easily take 4 hours of drive time. How long you have to wait there depends on when you get there. So I would say its more like half day + quest.
     
  20. J5ryall

    J5ryall Initiate (0) Aug 5, 2015 New Jersey

    Winberies in princeton is best beer and pub food around downtown princeton. There is no close second. I find Rocky Hill to be hit or miss. Brickhouse had a lot on tap but most are unimpressive (though they almost always have one or two kane or carton beers). Salt creek grill on route 1 north of town has overpriced though good food, with a short but distinguished tap list. It is pricey but I still go fairly regularly because they ALWAYS have kane head high on tap and for some reason it is better there than anywhere else (including the brewery). I cant explain it. Worth a stop just for a pint.
     
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