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Community Corner

Looking For Labor Day Lagers?

Stew Leonard's beer and ale expert Jerry Zelinskie, tells about the best bbq beers and more

If you're hosting the neighbors on this last summer holiday weekend, swing by the new Stew Leonard's in Echo Plaza to stock up on brews before the company arrives. The store offers an excellent selection --by any measurement -- of domestic and imported beer and ale. There are several hundred varieties, in the neighborhood of 2000 bottles. 

Assistant Manager, Jerry Zelinskie, is happy to offer good advice on both what to buy and how much to buy.  

"You've got to know your audience," he said. "If you're hosting a pool party for 22 year olds, then you might want to have as much as five or six bottles per party-goer.  Salty or spicy foods? Stock up on refreshments. And even though your guest list might skew older, which would usually mean fewer bottles,  if it's a way hot day you'll want to have more on hand than if its cool and overcast."

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Zelinskie gave us a quick primer on the difference between beer and ale – it's all in the brewing. We were surprised to learn that the difference has nothing to do with alcohol content, both beer or ale both have an alcohol contents of between five and seven percent. 'Regular' beer is brewed at about 50 degrees, ale at higher temperatures.

It's possible to be a concerned, beer-enjoying environmentalist by remembering to recycle your bottles and by keeping your carbon footprint low and enjoying local brews.

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Zelinskie suggests sampling Yuengling, a local lager brewed in nearby Pennsylvania, Anhauser Busch's Budweiser brewed right down the road in Newark , and Flying Fish, the largest craft brewery in New Jersey, that's made down south in Cherry Hill.

Stew's associate, Lisa Germain, said that she is not the biggest beer fan preferring wine coolers in general. But she couldn't say enough nice things about Yuengling. "The taste is crisp and clean – it's lighter than most other lagers.  Zelinskie on the other hand goes for a beer that has full body and a heavier texture.  "My favorite" he said "is Foster's Premium Ale. It's not made in Australia any more, now it's produced in Canada. It can be a little difficult to find."

Stew Leonard stocks hundreds of other craft beers or micro-brews if you're looking to set up a taste test.  According to Zelinskie American craft beers really hold their own against imports.  They're unique in taste and usually have a limited production. Sam Adams, Zelinskie told us "was one of the first craft beers produced in the U.S.  The company has grown so large now, that it's really considered a major brewery."

Zelinskie also weighed in on flavored beers. He's not a fan. "If I'm going to drink beer, I'll drink beer," he said. "I like the taste. If I feel like eating a peach, I'll eat a peach, not drink peach beer."

Suggestions for BBQ and beer pairings:

Burgers:  New Castle Brown Ale, Fosters Premium

Hot Dogs:  Bud, Coors Light, Corona, really any American Lager

Steaks:  India Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada, Saranac, Flying Fish Ale

Chicken: Also any one of the ales

The store is at the Echo Plaza shopping center. Its street address is 901 Mountain Avenue and its phone is 908-379-2930. It is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. 

 

 

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