This is a guidebook to 23 breweries and brewpubs across the Garden State, from corporate giants to the newest brewpubs. Each entry contains information on types of beers brewed at the site, available tours, nearby points of interest, and an author's pick for the best beer to try. Also included is a history of brewing in the state, a primer on the brewing process, and a section on favorite regional foods.
I'm a former librarian who has been making a living writing about beer and spirits since 1995. I write regularly for trade journals like Cheers, New Brewer, and Beverage Business, and I also am the managing editor of Malt Advocate. I started drinking non-mainstream beer way back in 1981, and never really looked back. Whiskey came a bit later, in 1996, but I've quickly grown to love it, as well.
I grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where my family has been for over 250 years. I live less than 60 miles away, but I still miss it, especially in the fall. I am married and have two children, and we live in a subdivision, like most folks around here.
I like to travel, both on my own and with the family. I was in Bavaria in December, in Wisconsin last July, and before that, I visited the Czech Republic in April. I'll be visiting the Canadian Mist Distillery in Collingwood, Ontario in March of '06.
