Located in the warehouse area off Route 46 near Willowbrook Mall, Cricket Hill Brewing Co. is a microbrewery that makes year-round and seasonal beers, as well as one-off barrel-aged beers. The brewery also offers a limited-hours tap room and tours with tastings.
A small group of local breweries have paved the way for the craft beer boom in New Jersey, and Cricket Hill Brewing is among them. But Rick Reed, founder and CEO of the Fairfield-based brewhouse, remembers how hard it was to launch in 2000 when he first opened up his 15-barrel brewhouse.
Now in its 18th year, Cricket Hill has grown to become a well-known brand that’s available on tap and in bottles throughout the state, and he hopes to keep it that way. He’s even expanded his tasting room on Kulick Road in Fairfield to include more seating, a larger kitchen, and live music on Fridays, a staple for the place.
In addition to their year-round lineup, which includes a German style lager, an American pale ale, a hopnotic IPA, and the Colonel Blides ESB, Cricket Hill also produces a wide variety of specialty beers, including session sours, a wet hop ale, and a bourbon barrel-aged imperial porter. They are also known for cask-aged beer, which is a process that requires long, cold storage of the beer in wood, and their kegs have been seen at many bars around the state.
While most brewing companies only have a few year-round brews, Cricket Hill has made a name for itself in the state’s beer scene with its wide selection of styles. They are now a staple in hundreds of stores, bars, and restaurants across the state, making it easy for consumers to find their favorite brews.
The original line-up was made up of a few ales and lagers, but they have since added a number of special releases, from sour beers to IPAs. They have also been able to expand their distribution by buying up local grocery stores, liquor retailers, and sports bars.
They are currently releasing their 18th Year Party Pils, an unfiltered pilsner brewed with a modest grain bill and 2 specialty grains and hopped with Heull Melon. It’s a refreshing drink that has plenty of fruit aromas and flavors, and is 4.2% ABV.
It’s been a great journey for Reed and his crew. Their lager, East Coast Lager, has become a favorite, and the brewery’s other beers have made them stand out in the crowded craft beer scene.
They have an excellent tap room and are always brewing new beers, so it’s a good idea to check their Facebook page for up-to-date information on upcoming releases and events. They are also known for their excellent burgers and pizza, and the beer prices are reasonable, especially when compared to most other breweries in the state.
