Top 7 Beers from the AC Brewfest (2023)
The 17th Annual AC Brewfest and Music Fest
The 17th Annual AC Beer and Music Fest just wrapped up this past weekend (June 3rd and June 4th), and once again – it was an absolute blast. This year was headlined by Dropkick Murphy’s and 311.
My buddy Drew (Knights of Nostalgia) and I went – as we’ve done for the past several years (of course excluding the COVID – 19 / pandemic / coronavirus year of 2020). And once again we had a great time, just as we’ve had every other year we went.
The 7 Best Beers We Had At The AC Beer and Music Fest
Here is the seven best beers we had this weekend at the AC Beer and Music Fest. In a rather loose order of ranking, but with the final beer definitely our 100 percent favorite.
7. Doppelbockalayna by Readington Brewery & Hop Farm
Beer: Doppelbockalayna
Brewery: Readington Brewery & Hop Farm
Style: Bock – Doppelbock
ABV: 8%
IBU: N / A
Untappd Description: Blank
Global Average Untappd Rating: 3.65
Why we chose it: This was a very pleasant surprise. Readington Brewery and Hop Farm (on Sunday when we got to their tent) was tucked in the very wee corner by the acoustic stage, and this was like finding a hidden gem. In a brewfest over flowing with IPAs, sours, kolsches, and other light beers, its fun to get to try a few different darker beers.
6. Juicy Pebbulls by Bolero Snort Brewery
Beer: Juicy Pebbulls
Brewery: Bolero Snort Brewery
Style: IPA – New England / Hazy
ABV: 6%
IBU: 20
Untappd Description: Who’s ready for some breakfast?After a bit of a hiatus waiting on the right hops one of our faves returns! We’ve really been dialing in the process on our hop forward beers since opening our Meadowlands digs for a softer, juicier beer, the result…JUICY PEBBULLS – Brewed with Cashmere, Lotus, Mich Copper and Cryo Citra and finished with freshly zest lime. Fluffy tropical fruit punch.
Global Average Untappd Rating: 3.81
Why we chose it: Returning again this year, a favorite of ours – both the brewery and the beer. This is a delicious, well done New England IPA, hazy, and very tasty. Definitely a full pour (or two) keeper at the brewfest.
5. Blueberry Brunch by Neck of the Woods Brewing Company
Beer: Blueberry Brunch
Brewery: Neck of the Woods Brewing Company
Style: Sour – Fruited Berliner Weisse
ABV: 5%
IBU: 12
Untappd Description: Brunch style sour ale brewed with oats, blueberries, vanilla beans and maple syrup.
Global Average Untappd Rating: 4
Why we chose it: Firstly… why wouldn’t we choose this one? It was absolutely delicious! Like breakfast in a glass (if your breakfast was blueberries smothered in vanilla and maple syrup). This is soft, sweet, tasty, and not much more than tart. A wonderful beer on Sunday when it got a bit warmer.
4. Brux Royale Belgian Chocolate Stout by Ross Brewing Company
Beer: Brux Royale Belgian Chocolate Stout
Brewery: Ross Brewing Company
Style: Stout – Imperial / Double
ABV: 11.7%
IBU: 50
Untappd Description: Rich, Decadent Belgian Chocolate Stout is a unique take on a dark and roasty beer. With actual 70% Belgian Chocolate in the mash, molasses in the boil and more Belgian Chocolate in the tank, Cacao Nibs and Vanilla give this beer a truly complex body and aroma. Belgian Abbey yeast provides a unique finish on this one of a kind stout. Decadence is the word. Treat yourself.
Global Average Untappd Rating: 4.02
Why we chose it: On Sunday at 3 PM Ross Brewing Company did a special bottle tapping of this beauty. This is a wonderful rich, strong, dark chocolate, going somewhat on the bitter side of chocolate. Not very sweet, but very heavy, strong, and a wonderful aroma. This was a definite treat to have right near the end of the brewfest.
3. Doughnut Soles by Departed Soles Brewing Company
Beer: Doughnut Soles
Brewery: Departed Soles Brewing Company
Style: Stout – White / Golden
ABV: 5.8%
IBU: N / A
Untappd Description: Our collaboration with the epic folks at Montclair Bread Company. Brewed to mimic our favorite type of doughtnut, the classic chocolate frosted, this white stout boasts a light, hazy tan body like the brioche baked confection, and is conditioned on milk sugar and Wilderness Poets Sweetened Cocoa Nibs, as well as Modcup coffee co Cold Brew, to elicit memories of sweet chocolate frosting and stouts (while looking nothing like either).
Global Average Untappd Rating: 3.76
Why we chose it: This was just delicious. Was the first one we had after our 5K run to start off the Sunday beer fest session. (We both did the 5K in under 40 minutes, including the 7 beer stops, and the line up at the Chickie Pete’s stop that took up 1 minute, plus the one water stand.) This had a nice doughnut, coffee, morning wake up call taste and flavor. Was a great way to kick off the brewfest on a just before noon Sunday morning.
2. Vanilla Scoop by Southern Tier Brewing Company
Beer: Vanilla Scoop
Brewery: Southern Tier Brewing Company
Style: Strong Ale – American
ABV: 8.6%
IBU: N / A
Untappd Description: Southern Tier is proud to partner with our Western NY neighbor, Perry’s Ice Cream. We used their delicious signature vanilla and milk sugar to deliver a creamy, full-bodied beer unlike anything else.
Global Average Untappd Rating: 3.94
Why we chose it: Ever had a vanilla scoop of ice cream? But… it was really beer? Then you had this beer didn’t you?! Because thats exactly what this is. This would probably mix perfectly with a root beer, to give you a root beer float. (Drew was told to skip Sixpoint Brewery’s tent and go here instead, so we did, and definitely don’t regret it.)
1. PB & Cookies by Three 3’s Brewing Co.
Beer: PB & Cookies
Brewery: Three 3’s Brewing Co.
Style: ‘Other’
ABV: 4.8%
IBU: N / A
Untappd Description: Yippie skippy! This outlandish take on a Vienna ale is dry nutted with an absurd amount of roasted peanuts and conditioned on that chocolate sandwich cookie from our childhood. Smooth and creamy with all that nutty goodness.
Global Average Untappd Rating: 4.1
Why we chose it: Where the other six beers could be moved around a bit, this one is a guaranteed lock at number one. (Though Drew argues this and the Vanilla Scoop could co host as ties for first.) Either way, this is an absolutely banger of a beer. It tastes exactly like what its describing. And that right there is always a plus. At 4.8% its also not going to be knocking you on your ass, making it great to have a pint of… or two. (Hell, maybe even three!)
The Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival
Once again, just want to say how great of a time we had. There were some complaints about longer than usual wait times on Saturday, and port – a – pot related issues, but it kind of happens every year. This year was a sell out (first I remember that happening in a while), they did have Dropkick Murphy’s performing after all.
All in all, it was a blast, just like every other year. Thanks for reading, and thanks for checking out our other AC Beerfest articles.
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