Magnify Brewing Company is one of the hottest craft breweries in New Jersey. Since they opened their doors last year, the brewery has quickly grown a loyal following with an ever-changing draft list of unique brews and innovative styles.
The brewery is owned by Eric Ruta, a Ridgewood native who grew up in the craft beer scene in Maine. He studied environmental studies and philosophy at Bates College and had worked in a small, well-respected microbrewery in Portland, Maine before deciding to open his own brewery in Fairfield.
His goal was to bring the best of the craft beer movement to his home state, and he did just that. After working hard to secure a space and the proper permits, he opened Magnify in 2015 with four employees.
Ruta says he was fortunate to be able to have his dream come true. He says he was able to learn about the business from hands-on experience and was able to build a successful brewery in a relatively short amount of time.
As a result, he feels confident in his abilities to make some of the highest quality beer possible and believes that he has what it takes to grow and thrive.
When we visited the brewery this past summer, they had four year-round beers on tap and were planning on adding a fifth in 2018. They are currently brewing an extra 40 barrels of IPA a month to keep up with demand.
It’s not uncommon to see a line of customers outside the brewery when it opens. People from all over the country flock to this brewery for a variety of reasons, but most are drawn by the unique beers that they make and the creative, esoteric approach that head brewer Erich Carrle takes to his brewing.
Located in an industrial complex with a small taproom, they have a number of great beers on tap including IPAs, smoothie sours, and more. They also sell growlers and cans for take home.
Their most popular beer is Vine Shine, an IPA that draws its hop character from West Coast-style IPAs but also has a light bitterness and floral character to it. It is a smooth and easy-drinking beer that can be enjoyed by anyone who is looking for an introduction to the craft beer world.
In addition to their IPAs, Magnify also produces a number of other brews that are very special and different than what you will find anywhere else in New Jersey. They brew an sour that is infused with lactose and flavors that mimic the taste of Hawaiian Punch, as well as an IPA that is infused with marshmallow fluff.
They are always looking for new ideas and ingredients to incorporate into their brewing process. Often they will brew a sour that is then blended with an IPA or another beer style to create an entirely new creation. This is a wonderful way for the brewery to be constantly evolving and experimenting.
