Buck Hill Ready to Rev Up Presence

Jay Mena's Buck Hill Brewery and Restaurant in Blairstown is ready and waiting for you. Oh, it's been open for a year or more serving good food and good beer, but due to that sticky adhesive known as red tape, its brewery operation was delayed until this past May. The Warren County brewpub, which sits rather majestically on a hill overlooking the intersection of Routes 521 and 94 in Blairstown, serves an eclectic demographic, from millennials to geezers (like yours truly) in a comfortable, welcoming, pretty much hand-hewn setting, thanks to Lia Gattuso's husband (both below).

Mena and GM Wendy Buttgereit invited this geezer up yesterday to sample two new releases of Bud Usinowicz's beer--both stouts-- called Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, respectively. The "Major" is a 9.6% beauty aged for 120 days in Buffalo Trace Whiskey barrels. The "Minor" spent no time in the barrel, and that difference is reflected in both taste and price. Major goes for $9 a 12-oz. snifter, and Minor comes in at $8, but both are good. And, as expected from the style, both improve as they warm. The Major has clearly discernible notes of its time in "captivity," but they are subtle, not overpowering. Nice layers of flavors are common to both, but for the PubScout's money, the Major is the way to go, and there are plenty of menu items that will complement the brew. (My vote goes to the French Dip.)

Jay Mena, who has spent most of his adult life in retail, allowed that his brewpub was not ready for an expanded media presence before, but due to his emphasis on quality and consistency, as well as variety, and his having the right people in the right places--especially in the kitchen-- he feels comfortable swimming to the deep end of the pool. (Brewer Bud is below.)

So look for a bumped-up social media presence in the coming weeks, as GM Wendy initiates a Twitter and Instagram effort to keep Buck Hill's established demographic informed of beers and events, and to attract newer customers into its "rustic/modern" --and super-clean-- facility. The place was pretty packed when I got there yesterday at about 2:30, but there were still some seats at the bar.

Look for Buck Hill's expanded media presence on FaceBook, Instagram and Twitter, and potential involvement with New Jersey Craft Beer and the New Jersey Brewers' Association.

Blairstown is definitely "not around the corner" for Central Jerseyans, and it's a far more convenient stop for drivers (read bikers) who ride the twisties of NW Jersey in finer weather, but a trip to Buck Hill should be worth your time.

Jay Mena, Wendy and the staff will see to it.

Cheers and Merry Christmas!

The PubScout