Hudson County was once full of breweries, with Hoboken seeing the first one in the United States in 1642.
In recent history, construction workers building Union City’s new high school unearthed bottles from the once-thriving Hudson County Consumers Brewery Company. And neighboring Guttenberg was crammed with breweries in the 1800s.
In the 1990s, a microbrewery called Hoboken Ale opened on the waterfront in that town, but closed its doors within a few years.
Now the New Jersey Beer Company, the brainchild of long-time beer drinker and current North Bergen resident Matt Steinberg, will open in the coming weeks.
Before 2010 is over, he hopes to brew 1,500 barrels of beer.
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Steinberg, 32, graduated with a degree in computer science from Cornell University and still works as an IT consultant. After moving to North Bergen six years ago, he found that his basement afforded him the hobby of brewing beer and making cider and wine.
He purchased standard beginner books about brewing and bought pre-packed extracts of sugars.
“I started with the easiest [recipes] and started working my way up,” said Steinberg.
He read online postings and tips from “other beer guys,” who shared recipes and explained the methods that did or did not work from them. This feedback helped Steinberg start working on recipes with malts and grains, and eventually his very own recipes.
Year in the making
Steinberg said that a year ago, he decided he would go through with his life’s dream and create his very own microbrewery.
He researched what requirements he would have to fulfill to receive licenses and what type of space and equipment he would need.
He said he has received preliminary licensing from the federal government, which requires a brewery specific license, and the New Jersey Alcohol Beverage Control Board.
From North Bergen, Steinberg needs to receive a certificate of occupancy for his new building, and a town business license. He has already started the approval process and has joined North Bergen’s Urban Enterprise Zone, a business district that allows certain tax benefits for businesses.
The final step of licensing requires inspection of his equipment, which Steinberg hasn’t received yet.
He also had to wait months until his loan application was approved.
“I wanted to see what I was getting myself into before I decided to dump my life’s accomplishments into this,” said Steinberg.
Leased a building
He leased 4201 Tonnelle Ave. and retrofitted the pipes, water, gas and electric to prepare for the stainless steel tanks, which will be used for brewing and fermenting. Last week, he said this equipment, largely coming from Canada and overseas, is a bit behind schedule.
When Steinberg does receive the shipment and is able to install everything, brewing will begin. Each fermenting tank will hold 20 barrels of beer, which equals 120 gallons of beer.
He still has a nine-to-five job. He said that between that and his brewery, the hours have been long and crazy, but he looks forward to bottling his first batch of beer in the next month or so.
Launching three beers
Steinberg said that when they launch, they will start with three beers: their Hudson Pale Ale, Garden State Stout, and a 1787 Abbey Single.
“If you think of beer, there are generally hundreds of styles, but you have some beers that are very dark and malty and are usually physically dark in color and a bit heavier on the pallet,” said Steinberg. “Then you have your regular ales or golden beers. Then you have the hoppier beers. We wanted to have something that fans of all styles would like.”
He said that the company was starting with five employees, including a commercial brew master, other brewers who will control beer production, and sales and marketing.
“One of the benefits for me is I get to give people jobs instead of vice versa,” said Steinberg. “I’m really looking forward to bringing on more people.”
1,500 barrels
Steinberg said that they were finalizing “contract language” with Hunterdon Distributors of New Jersey, who would then sell the beer to bars and restaurants.
He hopes to be able to put out more beers in the future and bring on more “bring, talented brewers.”
After his four-year lease is up, he hopes that the business can expand to a more permanent location where the microbrewery could even branch off by having its own restaurant on site.
Before 2010 is over, he hopes to brew 1,500 barrels of beer.
Steinberg is also proud to have his business in North Bergen.
“This is the only place where I’ve ever had a home to call my own, so to speak,” he said. “I just felt I’m here. Why would I want to do this in another town? I wanted to become part of the community, as horrible, cheesy and idealist [as it sounds]. It is true, for what it is worth.”
Steinberg said that those who want to keep updated on his progress can visit www.facebook.com/njbeerco and www.twitter.com/njbeerco.