Next month the family is vacationing in Harvey Cedars on Long Beach Island. Never been before, staying with a Bud Light crowd. Probably driving there from Philly airport. Wife & I are big IPA & DIPA lovers and I always try to drink local stuff I can't find in Chicago or Milwaukee. I see a new place on the Island called The Arlington looks like it's trying to be a craft mecca, but everything else looks like little vacation beach bars that might have one or two locals along with Yuengling (nothing wrong with that). I'll have a rental car so can venture off the island - but let's say not more than 20 or 30 minutes drive? Is there a package store I MUST hit between the airport & the Island that will fulfill my need for a fridge full of local stuff? Is there a brewpub, brewery or beer bar I shouldn't miss? Is there a toes-in-the-sand beach bar with acceptable brew on the island? Any suggestions for good local product in that area? I see one called Carton Brewing with a DIPA scoring a BA97. If I find a package store with everything local, what shouldn't I miss (not limited to IPA). I tried searching the forum but "Long Island" comes up far too much. Thanks in advance.
The Plantation Restaurant in Harvey Cedars is pretty good. Their bar selection isn't bad and they usually have some craft beers. Across the street is a small liquor store which sells some craft beer. I have been going to LBI my whole life, I haven't found a liquor store that sells much craft beer other than the one in Harvey Cedars. I found this website which lists all the liquor stores on the island. Good luck! http://www.njlbi.com/lbibarsnightclubs/liquorstores.html Also Spirits Unlimited in Manahawkin has craft beer, they are on the right side of the road before you hit the bridge into LBI.
Last evening my wife stopped into a restaurant/bar in Babylon NY (Long Island) called One Main. They had a pretty big tap list (14 beers?) that consisted of local (NY/Long Island) craft beers. There is a burgeoning craft beer scene on Long Island. From memory some of the craft breweries are: Blue Point, Montauk, Greenport, Long Ireland, Fire Island, Queens…. I ordered a Sixpoint beer and my wife had a Blue Point (HopIllusion IPA). I had a few tastes of the Long Island Craft beers and while they are not something “to write home about’ a number of them were OK to good. If you are looking for a top tier craft beer (e.g., Firestone Walker) these breweries are not there yet but if you are willing to ‘explore’ they are a worthwhile drink. Cheers! P.S. One Main had three IPAs on tap: Blue Point, Fire Island and Montauk.
Definitely bit up the Spirits Unlimited in Manahawkin , 495 Rt 72. It's about 3/4 of a mile east of the Garden State Parkway. They do growler fills so you might be able to find Carton or Kane beers to enjoy. Even though they have good selection and are busy this time of the year check dates because some stuff does sit around.
I will more than likely be on the island that time, bm me and maybe I can gather some local beer for you. The Arlington has the tap list online. Buckalews has a decent beer list. There are two ok beer stores on the causeway getting on to the island both on the right side.
There is a Long Beach "Island" in Long Island. It's where I am from. It is technically called the City of Long Beach but the entire island (three municipalities) is called Long Beach Island. Speaking of which, you should cancel your trip to LBI in Jersey and visit the better Long Beach. There is plenty of fun places for your Bud Light crowd to go to while you enjoy good beer (Barrier in particular!). Plus it is only 40 mins from NYC by train. Not to mention, you'd actually be closer to the good breweries in NJ such as Carton and Kane (actually I don't think that is true).
Long Beach Island NJ is where Harvey Cedars is located. Plantation is the bar in town there's also a new sports bar Northside Grille in Surf City, but the Arlington and Buckalews are great for IPAs. Black Whale in Beach Haven also has some IPAs. For a list of all bars on LBI got to ShopLBInj.com/bars
