Tasting: December 28, 2011
Style: Lager (black)

I’ve written in other posts about the growing popularity of craft beer and how demand has easily outweighed output at many breweries. Well, that popularity is translating into massive expansion by existing brewers and the creation of new breweries. But even I was surprised when Craftbeer.com reported that as of November 30, 2011, there were 855 breweries in planning in the United States. They also add that fifty new breweries have opened over the last two months. They list three New Jersey breweries as new: Carton Brewery in Atlantic Highlands; Great Blue Brewing in Somerset and Kane Brewing in Ocean. These three breweries join over a dozen New Jersey craft brewers.

East Coast Brewing is located in Point Pleasant Beach and released their first beer – a pilsner (lager) called Beach Haus in 2010. It appears from their website that this brew “Winter Rental” is their second offering and was just released this past October. They describe it as a German “Schwarzbier”. This one pours like a porter and has a moderate roasted grain aroma. First sip is fizzy and light weight — not what I look for in a hearty winter beer. Has the attributes like roasted grains and dark fruits – but it’s really meek. Also has some meek hop finish. I like that their from Jersey — but that only gets you so far. Sooner or later, you have to produce a world class beer because I have plenty of world class beer as near as my local beer store. If it were me (and I know it isn’t), I’d go big with everything – everything I did would rich with an original gravity (OG) of at least 1.080. I commend these guys for pursuing a dream – I also urge them to aim higher. I’ll check back on how they’re progressing down the road — but for now a so-so 79 points.