This past Sunday I led a group of 12 motorcycles, riders and passengers on a brewery themed ride. I researched various craft breweries in the state and found that the only one with tours on Sunday was River Horse in Lambertville, NJ. This was now our destination. We left Liberty HD and the first stop was:
Climax Brewing Company
Climax Brewing Company was founded in 1996 and considers itself the oldest micro-brewery in NJ. Located in Roselle Park, we found that the building didn’t have a sign. One of our riders is a brewer who knows the owner and has been in the garage brewery was able to point it out to us when we motored past it. I have had the opportunity to sample a few of their products. Most are really good. It was nice when a local bar would routinely carry cask conditioned ales from here. Too bad the bar was sold.
Next stop:
Trap Rock Brewery
The Trap Rock Restaurant and Brewery, Berkeley Heights. The food is good and tends to be on the higher end of the cost scale. The beer is also good, but always gave my wife a headache (after 1 not a 12 pack). I do believe you can get kegs direct from them, but don’t take my word for it. After the photo op we were on our way to:
Disabled on the side of the road
Pit Crew
We turned onto the road and one rider lost throttle control. We pulled over where the bike coasted to a stop on a curve in the road. Not the best place to be stranded but… Now the tools came out, the minds got together. This was manly stuff, something to fix. Removing the throttle grip proved that the cable itself was intact but the grip broke where the cable connected.
The thinking caps went on, out came more tools, along with my camera. The roadside repair crew managed to punch a hole through the grip and used piano wire to attach the throttle cable to the grip. Some adjustment of the cable got the bike running well enough to be able to ride it.
We then made our way to our next stop:
Long Valley Brew Pub
A club for a certain kind of nurse
Long Valley Brew Pub, Long Valley. It was only about 2 miles from the roadside pit repairs to this stop. We stopped anyway for the photo op. This place is a magnet for motorcyclists on weekends. The food is decent and not overly expensive. The beer isn’t bad either.
While we were there a group made up mostly of members of the Firefighters Law Enforcement Brotherhood MC rode in. Within that group was a lone rider flying the colors of the Bad Ass Nurse MC. There is a club for every rider these days.
We got back on our way and eventually made it to our final destination:
River Horse Brewery
River Horse Brewery, Lambertville. We were early for the tour so we went in and bellied up to the small bar. $1 gets you 4 samples of beer (20 oz.) which is all, according to the tour guide, that a brewer can give out in the great state of NJ. It was good timing to get there early and sample the product before the tour.
Up to the bar for samples
Vats of beer
Our tour guide did a good job of taking us through the making of beer. It’s always interesting to hear how one of our favorite beverages is made. The crew at River Horse pay a lot of attention to detail and it shows in the taste of their beer. Even those that normally drink the beer of a lighter variety appreciated the tastes of the samples of River Horse beer.
Parting shot of the brewery
After the tour we made our way to Lambertville Station for some liquid refreshments and food.
A River Horse tap is on the far left behind the bartender
Happy now that food is on its way
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