It is a rare thing for me to never had a beer from a New Jersey brewery in this day and age. Ark Brewery is in Lumberton, New Jersey and recently opened in 2021. Ark is one of the new age New Jersey brewery/pub hybrids meaning they have a full bar and liquor license. From the outside, the architecture looked like a giant, modern barn. Wooden panels all over the front façade with an A-Frame with a welcoming sign that said Ark Brewery, Restaurant & Pub. Ark also has a private room on their second floor and a huge outside space where live music can be played. We were met by Brewer, Kenny and General Manager, Andrew with beers in hand welcoming the entire Jersey Beer Guys and Girl posse. It was a full house from Rob, Amy and me plus Ian and Eric with guests Kenny and Andrew. Part 1 of the podcast is already out with part 2 coming out soon.
One of the many topics that we talked about with Kenny and Andrew was how well the South Jersey brewing scene had treated them since they opened. While they have brewing equipment on the premises and intend to brew on site, they currently do not have a brewing license yet. They have been nomad brewing their beer at Dr. Brewlittle’s in Maple Shade, NJ with help from owner and legend Jack O’Connell. It is wonderful to see businesses working together to bring the consumer different and fun new creations. That seems to a motif within the industry that each brewery is willing to lend a helping hand to another brewery if needed. Kenny talked about his experience at Double Nickel Brewing in Pennsauken, NJ during the podcast about specific examples of when other breweries needed ingredients and how they got through those times.
Ark has a fully stocked bar with everything from their own beer that they make in house (more on that in a little), rotating guest taps, wine, and cocktails. Ark has several “guest” taps which means there are beers from other breweries. Those guest taps included two Tonewood beers on tap plus a Brotherton IPA and Allagash from Maine. One thing that stood out about the bar was how deep and space it was. You could have had 20 people behind the bar, and no one would have been cramped. That really fit in with the whole vibe of the place. It did not feel like your typical brewery. The customer cannot see the beer equipment or brewhouse from the restaurant or bar. The feeling it gives to the customer is that of an upscale basement bar. Between the depth behind the bar and room for the bartenders, it was as if I was in my friend’s bar and not at a commercial space. The bartenders and especially Kenny and Andrew made you feel as if we were just hanging out talking about beer and life rather than a business.
The first beer we had was their Double India Pale Ale called Cycle. It checked in at 8.1% ABV and was brewed at Dr. Brewlittle’s by Ark Brewery. The beer had a beautiful orange hue to it with a citrus nose that heavily perfumed the air. The taste was tropical and bright. Cycle had no hop burn and tasted as if it was 5% ABV instead of 8% plus. That made it a quintessential hashtag danger beer. It is hard to find a beer that has a high alcohol content that you want to keep drinking.
The next beer we had was Ark Brewery’s collaboration with Dr. Brewlittle’s and soon to be opening Farm Truck Brewing in Medford called Three’s A Crowd. This beer was another 8% banger that was classified as a Saison. This was my favorite beer of the day. Three’s A Crowd had a gorgeous reddish orange glow to it. This beer had a funky, barnyard smell to it in the best possible way. The taste was that of a grapefruit rind and had a nice tartness to it. The Philly Sour Yeast was used as well as three different hops from New Zealand, Riwaka, Taiheke, and Motueka. This was an interest mix of ingredients that you do not typical see together that goes from ballroom dancing to mosh pit on the customer’s pallet with each sip. Amy said that it tasted like Spree Candies.
We had two beer secret beers that were not yet on tap for public (don’t tell anyone). First was Pretty Little Thing, a 6% lager which was hopped with Magnum hops. It was extremely full bodied and coated the entire mouth. It had malty sweetness along with biscuit and bread like flavors that left you happy and full. There is no picture of this beer because it went down so smooth, my apologies. The 2nd secret beer was called Spirit Pigeon, a 5% Schwarzbier. The primary tasting notes of this beer was that of roasted malts and bitterness of coffee without being overpowering.
Ark has a classic pub restaurant menu that features burgers, chicken sandwiches, and barbeque pulled pork and smoked brisket sandwiches. I had some pub pretzels that we served with house made beer cheese that did not disappoint. The match made in heaven, beer, beer-cheese and a nice salty pretzel. I went against what I usually get with a burger and opted for the Fried Chicken Sandwich and it was on point. It was expertly fried and extremely juicy with crisp lettuce and tomatoes that made the sandwich pop. The Volcano sauce was the ultimate kicker, it was an elevated Sriracha sauce that gave the sandwich a nice kick without giving you heartburn. The fries that it came with were atypical looking but delicious. My wife had the Fried Seasonal Veggies as an appetizer and said it was one of the best things she’s ever had and saved me none to try. She usually does not eat vegetables, so this is an amazing event in itself.
The beauty of this brewery is that they have a liquor license, so we were able to taste more creations than just beer. One such creation was called Bubba’s Jolly. Named after their chef Bubba, it was a mixture of Train Wreck Gin (from Mt. Holly, NJ), Peach Schnapps, cranberry and pineapple juice with a splash of Ginger Ale. The drink tasted exactly like a watermelon jolly rancher in the best way. Ark also makes these in to-go pouches like alcohol infused Capri-Suns.
In addition to the Bubba’s Jolly, after the podcast was over, Andrew emerged from the bar with these milky white shots of liquid. In celebration of the day, we all took a shot. Amy was very apprehensive of what the shot was but took it anyway. It was a Key Lime Pie shot that tasted exactly like a slice of Key Lime Pie. Tart, Creamy, and full of lime without it being overly sweet or sour.
Overall, Ark Brewery is cool location with a bite and beverage for any tastes. What stood out to me was that we spent 4 plus hours there and by the end of the late afternoon/early evening it seemed like we were all very good friends despite not previously meeting Andrew or Kenny. Their enthusiasm and hard work comes out in the beer and the food and maybe most importantly the overall feeling of the place.
Jersey Beer Guys...and a Girl 