Jersey Shore Breweries: Red Tank Brewing Review

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Red Bank’s first microbrewery opened in mid-October 2018, and we had the pleasure of visiting it on the very first day. Located on Monmouth St next to Jamian’s, Red Tank Brewing could become both a social spot and a must-go destination for beer connoisseurs. It has a big bar and plenty of table seating for almost 100 people. It also has the advantage of being with a few minutes of lots of take-out eateries, so beer drinkers can bring in some food (knowing that New Jersey breweries are barred from serving food).

At opening time, they offered five beers and we tried them all (our first impressions are below). This list is updated in February 2019 with more offerings, as they rotate their brews (you’ll always find at least 5 on tap, but nothing canned recently; crowlers and growlers refills are available though).

• Hazy Cosmic Jive IPA: This was their first IPA, with nice flavors and a lighter, but crisp taste (6.8%).
• Hoptology Hybrid IPA: Very interesting mix of West Coast and East Coast hops (hence the “hybrid” name), this is a tasty, slightly hazy, easy-to drink IPA despite it’s 8.1% alcohol. Hard to decide which is my favorite of their IPA’s!
• Sona-Gold Kolsch: A traditional German-style beer, light and a bit fizzy, very refreshing.
• Chateau Saison: While not a big fan of saisons, this was as good as it gets! It’s in the Belgian farmhouse style with slight fruity aromas. And it’s very light at 5%.
• Molly Pitcher American Amber: Classic amber ale, with a bit of hoppiness to bring it to 5.5%, a very good beer!
• Tempus Fugit Pale Ale: One of my favorites, a light ale with a mix of hops including mosaic and amarillo. At 5% is a session beer, but with a crisp flavor to satisfy the hop lovers.
• St. James Trappist Dubbel: Probably their best beer so far, it has that complex Belgian flavor that smoothes out its 8.2% ABV into a very tasty brew.

Red Tank seems to release something new about every 2 weeks, and I’m glad I’m so close to them so I can go back and check out their brews. The location is very kids-friendly, and they have an area in the back with a TV and lots of board games, so if you go with your children sit at the closest table. Get them some pizza or burgers from Mr. Pizza Slice and you can relax and enjoy the beers!

Red Tank Brewing is the creation of well-known local wedding photographer John Arcara. His project is the first of the few microbreweries planned in Red Bank, which include the still unnamed one down the street on Monmouth St, and Ross Brewing in the old firehouse. We’re also waiting for the opening of the Triumph brew-pub which will join Birravino.

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