As you continue your journey along Route 66, it is important to stop and taste the local brews. Breweries are an integral part of the community and they tell a story about their area. They can be a place to meet friends, catch a game or just enjoy a cold beverage. Many of the breweries are family-owned and operated. These family-owned establishments are a testament to the hard work and passion that goes into making a quality beer.
BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The floor has been laid at Bloomfield’s first microbrewery and construction is moving on to framing, marking a major milestone for the new spot, Varitage Brew Works. Co-owners Mark Costa and Neil Levine have been updating their social media with photos showing how things are progressing.
The Montclair Girl recently had the opportunity to get a sneak peek at what Varitage Brew Works will offer once it opens in 2022. Their lineup will include classic styles, like ale and lagers as well as IPAs and sours. They will also feature seasonal and holiday beers and pastry stouts as well as some limited edition offerings.
A lot of the beer at Varitage Brew Works will be brewed using ingredients grown and produced in Massachusetts. This includes Valley Malt, the region’s first micromaltster in Hadley and hops from Clover Hill Farm in Hardwick as well as a wide variety of fruit, herbs, spices and vegetables. The brewery will be highlighting some of the best and most interesting ingredients found in the Bay State, including apples, blueberries, honey, maple syrup, pumpkin and cranberries.
It all started with one man’s dream to open a brewery and share his love of beer with his neighbors. It took a lot of hard work and perseverance for Mark Costa to bring his vision to life. Long hours of tinkering and testing recipes in his garage homebrewery while working a day job helped him hone his craft and gain experience. He started entering home brewing competitions and even earned some awards.
Eventually, his wife Katie encouraged him to take a leap of faith and leave his career in digital advertising to pursue his passion full-time. He worked as an assistant brewer at Jersey Girl Brewing in Hackettstown to learn the craft and study the science and culture of brewing.
Costa says he wanted to create a brewery that will serve as a gathering place for his neighborhood and the wider community, both through events and beers on tap. He hopes to create beers that are inspired by history, tradition and the environment, with some recipes highlighting local flora.
If you are driving along Route 66 through the Midwest, be sure to stop by Varitage Brew Works to try their beers and support this great local business. You can visit their website here or follow them on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. The Montclair Girl will be following the development of this new brewery and keeping you up-to-date with all the latest news as it unfolds.
