Eclipse Brewing — Restaurant in Merchantville

This is the newest addition to my list of favorite breweries. Side note - this list is not large - about 4 breweries, 2 in NJ (Eclipse and Screaming HIll), 1 in my hometown, and 1 in my husband's hometown.

First, the beer is great and quite inventive. When I went there was both a coconut cream and coffee cream ale that were awesome and that I hadn't seen before. I also liked the more traditional offerings such as the Oatmeal Porter and the Kolsch. There was even an 18% raspberry barleywine which, while I'm not entirely sure what that is, I enjoyed it. There are also sours and IPAs, neither of which I am fond of so I didn't try them, but they are available for those who do.

Unfortunately when we went it was raining so I didn't get to sit outside (which is quite big and looks like a nice place to spend a summer day). However, it does have a small inside taproom that gave off small venue vibes in a good way. The beertenders were welcoming and helpful and everyone seemed to be having a good time (though it looks like there are plenty of board and other games if you run out of conversation). If you are visiting from somewhere else, you can pin your home location on one of the several maps on their walls. It also looks like they host trivia nights, brewing lessons, and all kinds of other activities.

My only complaint, and I only mention this in case the owners read this and like my suggestion, is that either the beer board, the paper menus, or both provide a more detailed description of each beer (akin to what is on the website). I usually like Russian Imperial Stouts and so included it in my flight. I would not have done this if I'd known it was aged in a bourbon barrel, as I'm not fond of the taste that imparts. I'm sure, though, if I had said something they'd have happily gotten me something else but since it was a taster I just gulped it down and moved onto the next one.

All in all, I wish I lived closer, but I will...

Great small batch brewery in Southern New Jersey in Merchantville Borough and close to Pennsauken Twp and Cherr Hill Twp, not too far from RT 70, RT 38 and RT 130. I've been going there since the week they opened. I went there after work last week, since they only open at 4PM, just like other breweries. The place it is like a Cape Cod house with a yard and a big porch area with plenty of seating and chairs and picnic tables, with trellis and led lights, very cool setup it makes you feel like you're in your backyard. The tasting room has 18 taps behind the bar, and there is something for all tastes. One tap is for soda like root beer, and the other 17 for beers like IPAs, ale, or cream ale, barley beer or barleywine, stouts, amber lagers, Irish stout, pale ale, sour, American pilsener, Mexican lager, ligh lager and more, that changes week to week. You can bring your own food or snacks or there are plenty of restaurants and fast food places that will deliver to the brewery location. Great place to plan an evening out with friends and family. I have Citra Promise IPA, Raspberry Drizzle, and Maibock. Go ahead and plan your visit at Eclipse brewery, enjoy and drink responsible, have someone driving you there, and back home if you're planning on trying multiple flavors, if you know...

I'm playing to my tastes, but my judgement of the beers are based on what I like; in this beer room it's the EPA IPA, Citra IPA and Russian imperial, which were all really good. Some of the lighter and fruity beers, which are usually outside on my wheelhouse anyway, I found a little lacking, but the people I was with liked those. Most of the heavier beers we're really enjoyable. Oh, and thier shandy was surprisingly good too... I say surprisingly because I don't like shandys. So why five stars? Besides the fact that the types of beer I like we're really well done, the owner/brewer (sorry, I forgot his name, I've been drinking...) is so obviously passionate about his craft. This is really the epitome of a microbrew. Its really micro. The brewer still calls them his homebrews and considers this an extension of his home, and it feels like it. They're hospitable and approachable and not only will they make time for any question you can think up, I think they enjoy doing so. The beer room is not hipster or trendy (i mean that in a good way) in any way. It's small and comfortable and homely. If your a fan of microbrews and beer in general, you need to visit and...