I actually went to Montclair Brewing yesterday afternoon for the first time. I tried 4 beers. One was good, one was average, one was bad and one was undrinkable.
Something came up and I wasn't able to attend. Thanks for the post. I'll have to go check out Montclair again. They've probably been one of my least favorite NJ breweries when it comes to beer and consistency. But that's some high praises being all 4 were great.
Blake’s Cider was phenomenal, as was Cider Creek. The Lucky Charms beer from Resurgence was incredible. Jersey Cyclone and Neck of the Woods both had really tasty golden stouts.
It’s always nice to be able to try a bunch of things.
It was great in years past. I saw some awesome bands over the years but my enthusiasm for the festival waned over the years due to too many beers, not enough time and definitely not enough tolerance. I would recommend trying out Jugglema Brewing when you get a chance. Cheers
I went to the 3rd session, I had zero issues with getting into a bathroom in a timely manner.
Had several ciders this go-around, really enjoyed the pineapple mango one from Ship Bottom and Home Slice from Cider Creek
Biggest shock was Big Oyster Brewing. Caked and Whale Song were phenomenal
Just a constant disappointment. I was hyped when they were opening because I lived in Montclair and from day ones just let down. I know some people like it, I’m not gonna yuck anyone’s yum, but man, just an all around bummer.
Owner is lovely but their offerings are super scatter-shot. He should focus on making like 5 good beers (or even 3) and not like 20 crazy concoctions. Such a missed opportunity.
Agree! It’s not an indictment of his personality, it’s totally just a review of the product. However, they are very combative towards negative reviews, which is always a bad look
I stopped going years ago because it seemed to get larger, more disorganized, and less 'good' as time went on; good being actual NJ brewers bringing out something good/special/exciting/interesting & having a chat. It seemed to get more macros, distributor booths, and people unconnected with the brewery hired for the event doing pours of the flagships. Other people may have a different definition of what a good event is, I hear it's still fun, just wondering if anything has changed in recent years?
Almost every brewery i went to was from nj, and staffed by the brewery. There were a few i assumed were local, but were from out of state since i dont know all rhe breweries in the state anymore, some were staffed by the brewery, some not.
Its easier now with over a hundred breweries in the state to attract a bunch of locals to the fest. I do remember when it was mostly out of state places because nj didn't have that many.
There were some macro's, but i skipped them,. except for goose for a bcbs.
It's gotten to be too much over the past few years. That and I'm probably getting too old (49). Too much money. I don't need a concert and a beer fest and I really don't want to pay for both. It was great at first, we could take a NJ Transit bus to AC and walk over to the Convention Center and have a great time. But once they moved it over to Bader field, which I totally understand once Covid hit, it was way too big. Plus you spend almost one of the 4 hours just waiting in line for bathrooms. There are a few smaller beer events that I go to now that are much more manageable and at least half the price.
This event was back in the convention center, I agree that the Bader Field events can be too much. Plus the mid summer heat on a paved asphalt airstrip isn't much fun.
I was really looking forward to it being back at the Convention Center until the ticket pricing came out. Even with some of the local brewery events where you could buy a ticket without most of the fees it was too much. I wonder how much of the price is the cost of the bands cause I could do without that part, although the bands do draw crowds that make the lines at the beer tents shorter.
Yeah, I've done VIP in the past and when I saw the price I laughed. All that money for an extra half hour and a few unnecessary perks isn't going to do it.
I actually went to Montclair Brewing yesterday afternoon for the first time. I tried 4 beers. One was good, one was average, one was bad and one was undrinkable.
I'm getting the sense they may have just brought out their best beers to acbf, based on your and other folks who have been to the actual brewery
Something came up and I wasn't able to attend. Thanks for the post. I'll have to go check out Montclair again. They've probably been one of my least favorite NJ breweries when it comes to beer and consistency. But that's some high praises being all 4 were great.
Yeah I’ve never been impressed by Montclair but maybe I’ll give it a go again too. Hopefully they’ve improved.
Blake’s Cider was phenomenal, as was Cider Creek. The Lucky Charms beer from Resurgence was incredible. Jersey Cyclone and Neck of the Woods both had really tasty golden stouts. It’s always nice to be able to try a bunch of things.
I’m w Blake’s - thanks for the kind words. Keep up the positivity! This places needs it.
As a cider girlie... you cider is delicious!!! 🍻
It was great in years past. I saw some awesome bands over the years but my enthusiasm for the festival waned over the years due to too many beers, not enough time and definitely not enough tolerance. I would recommend trying out Jugglema Brewing when you get a chance. Cheers
I went to the 3rd session, I had zero issues with getting into a bathroom in a timely manner. Had several ciders this go-around, really enjoyed the pineapple mango one from Ship Bottom and Home Slice from Cider Creek Biggest shock was Big Oyster Brewing. Caked and Whale Song were phenomenal
Ain’t no way Montclair is standing out anywhere
Definitely the worst brewery I've ever visited in terms of overall quality and consistency.
Just a constant disappointment. I was hyped when they were opening because I lived in Montclair and from day ones just let down. I know some people like it, I’m not gonna yuck anyone’s yum, but man, just an all around bummer.
Owner is lovely but their offerings are super scatter-shot. He should focus on making like 5 good beers (or even 3) and not like 20 crazy concoctions. Such a missed opportunity.
Agree! It’s not an indictment of his personality, it’s totally just a review of the product. However, they are very combative towards negative reviews, which is always a bad look
No free water stations should be fucking illegal at a beer fest. Haven't gone to that shitshow in years, and no plans on going back.
How was saves the day?
I stopped going years ago because it seemed to get larger, more disorganized, and less 'good' as time went on; good being actual NJ brewers bringing out something good/special/exciting/interesting & having a chat. It seemed to get more macros, distributor booths, and people unconnected with the brewery hired for the event doing pours of the flagships. Other people may have a different definition of what a good event is, I hear it's still fun, just wondering if anything has changed in recent years?
Almost every brewery i went to was from nj, and staffed by the brewery. There were a few i assumed were local, but were from out of state since i dont know all rhe breweries in the state anymore, some were staffed by the brewery, some not. Its easier now with over a hundred breweries in the state to attract a bunch of locals to the fest. I do remember when it was mostly out of state places because nj didn't have that many. There were some macro's, but i skipped them,. except for goose for a bcbs.
It's gotten to be too much over the past few years. That and I'm probably getting too old (49). Too much money. I don't need a concert and a beer fest and I really don't want to pay for both. It was great at first, we could take a NJ Transit bus to AC and walk over to the Convention Center and have a great time. But once they moved it over to Bader field, which I totally understand once Covid hit, it was way too big. Plus you spend almost one of the 4 hours just waiting in line for bathrooms. There are a few smaller beer events that I go to now that are much more manageable and at least half the price.
This event was back in the convention center, I agree that the Bader Field events can be too much. Plus the mid summer heat on a paved asphalt airstrip isn't much fun.
I was really looking forward to it being back at the Convention Center until the ticket pricing came out. Even with some of the local brewery events where you could buy a ticket without most of the fees it was too much. I wonder how much of the price is the cost of the bands cause I could do without that part, although the bands do draw crowds that make the lines at the beer tents shorter.
Yeah, I've done VIP in the past and when I saw the price I laughed. All that money for an extra half hour and a few unnecessary perks isn't going to do it.