Are you the type of guy that buys your wife a half a dozen wilted red roses from the gas station around the corner from your house while fervently calling all the restaurants in town to get a reservation on your anniversary day? The kind of Santa that pays no attention to the calendar until December 24th and all your loved ones end up with dollar store dog toys and gift cards from Walgreens as presents. If so, when you signed onto Facebook this morning and found out that today was National IPA day, you most likely panicked and began to scour the interwebs for a place to celebrate this most hallowed day. Have no fear my procrastinating hop heads, The Blue Collar Foodie here. The following is the Top 5 Blue Collar Foodie approved craft beer bars to wet your whistle on this hop filled holiday!
Andy’s Corner Bar: A World of Beer, Just a Corner Away
257 Queen Anne Road
Bogota, NJ 07603
(201) 342-9887
The Shepherd & The Knucklehead: Where we celebrate the Duality in Man
529 Belmont Avenue
Haledon, New Jersey 07508
(973) 942-8666 *after 4:00 PM*
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3: The Twisted Elm Tavern: This North Jersey Gastropub exploded onto both the foodie scene and the beer scene in 2011 and has not looked back since. The Twisted Elm features an ever changing remarkable beer menu that will satisfy even the most refined beer aficionado’s palate. However, the Twisted Elm doesn’t just have beer; they combine their impressive craft beer list with foodie fare that is prepared by an award winning chef and an outstanding staff that makes you feel as if you are one of the family. This truthfully is my favorite bar in North Jersey and a spot-on representation of what a Gastropub should be. There may not be an IPA event scheduled for tonight but never the less The Twisted Elm Tavern makes the list because there is no place I would rather be on a Thursday night.
The Twisted Elm: A New Jersey Gastropub
435 River Drive
Elmwood Park, NJ, 07407
201-791-3705
The Cloverleaf Tavern: Where Good Friends Meet
395 Bloomfield Ave.
Caldwell, NJ 07006
973-226-9812
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1: Morris Tap and Grill: Where is The Blue Collar Foodie going to celebrate the most sacred American beer holiday of the year you ask? I have to admit it was a very difficult decision, but after careful consideration the Morris Tap and Grill was the clear winner. Their beer list for tonight has an average Ratebeer rating of 96.91 and is the most serious IPA selection that I have ever seen compiled under one roof. With selections from Stone, Kane, Carton, Elysian, Founders, and Dogfish Head to name a few, my biggest problem is going to be that I am going to want to try them all. On top of their incredible beer list, Chef Eric Levine, a freaking Chopped Champion by the way, will be on hand to create his awe inspiring, drool invoking, culinary creations as usual. Morris Tap and Grill may be somewhat of a drive for this foodie, but every mile is worth it, and I am super excited to spending my IPA day with the cast and crew of this praise worthy establishment!
Morris Tap and Grill: The MTG
500 Route 10 West
Randolph, NJ
973-891-1776
Whether or not you decide to take one of my suggestions and venture to these spectacular craft beer bars to celebrate IPA Day 2013 is up to you. I do however ask that all of you drink responsibly tonight or ask one of your hoighty-toighty wine drinking friends to be a designated driver. Have fun and Hoppy Holidays to one and all from The Blue Collar Foodie!