For most recent college grads, starting a business is as far down their wish list as paying off their student loan debt and finding a good night job. But Eric Ruta — at 24 — decided to put his lifelong ambition of becoming a brewery owner to work in Ridgewood, NJ.
Now, a year after Magnify Brewing Company opened in 2015, the young Ruta and head brewer Erich Carrle are churning out some of the most exciting beer on the scene. Their constantly rotating drafts have gotten them well-deserved recognition on BeerAdvocate’s Best New Breweries list, and the brewery has built a cult following across North Jersey.
Magnify is known for its juicy, New England-style IPAs and creative experiments. For example, “Vine Shine,” which draws on earthy hop flavors from West Coast-style brewing and smooth bitterness from the East, has been a hit with locals. And Keep It Mellow, an IPA brewed with lactose and flavors to mimic Hawaiian Punch, is another favorite.
Even in the short time since opening, the brewery’s popularity has caused it to be stretched “real thin capacity wise,” Ruta says. To accommodate the demand, they’ve added a 20-barrel bright tank and 20- and 40-barrel fermentors. In addition, a new off-site warehouse provides additional storage for items like cans.
Besides creating the beers, Ruta and Carrle also want to make an impression on their community. For that reason, they’ve embraced the philosophy of “a rising tide lifts all ships,” as Medford’s mayor Chuck Watson puts it. The brewery has a robust events calendar and sponsors local sports teams, donating proceeds to the township.
You can try a few of their beers tonight at a Night Shift Distributing Partner Launch at Brewer’s Fork. You’ll be able to sample beers from Magnify, Mast Landing, a lesser-known Maine producer; Good Measure, a new Vermont brewery; and Pipeworks out of Chicago. The event runs from 6 p.m. to midnight. For more information, check out the event’s Facebook page. The first partners on Night Shift’s roster are all breweries, but the plan is to expand beyond that in the future. The launch is part of an effort by the distribution company to shake up a branch of the industry that some feel doesn’t always act with the brewers’ interests in mind.
