Visited: October 28, 2002

Opened: 1997

Annual Production: 1,500 bbl

Contributors: Guy Drouin, Ralph Wells, Richard R Tinurelli

Trap Rock is a real nice place, and they keep it real dark inside…almost too dark for these old eyes to even read the menu. (Why is it that the highbrow establishments and the dankest dives both keep their lights so low?) I looked askance at the "Neat Proper Attire Required" sign at the front door, wondering just what kind of lowlife could possibly be lurking in Berkeley Heights. But as it happened, my T-shirt and jeans were perfectly acceptable, as was the dreadlock beard sported by another patron at the bar. Theirs is a 7-barrel DME system, with pallets of Durst and Briess malts visible through the windows of the bar. The bar itself pours all kinds of liquor, wines ranging from $23 to $233 per bottle, and selections from their "martini menu". The beers are $4-$5 for pints, and a full set of their generous six-ounce samples will set you back six bucks. Growlers go for $12 new and $10 refills, and kegs for $40 (5 gallons), $55 (¼-bbl), and $90 (½-bbl). All of the beers are poured via CO₂ pressure, but they all sport big dense "nitro-style" heads. The pub menu features a $13 hamburger, oysters, mussels, crabs, and tuna. Lunch ranges from an $8 salad to an $18 pasta and truffle dish. Sandwiches range from $9 to $15, and there's lots of seafood on the menu. The grilled cod was excellent, as was the traditional New England clam chowder.

Updated: February 19, 2013

• Abbey du Roc
  Belgian-Style Abbey Ale

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• Aegir's Pride Ale
  Belgian-Style Dark Strong Ale
  11.00% abv.

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• Alpine Weiss
  South German-Style Hefeweizen/Hefeweissbier
  5.50% abv.

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• Artisan's Porter
  Robust Porter
  7.00% abv.

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• Blackforest Lager
  German-Style Schwarzbier
  • Date: October 28, 2002 (#4500)
    Package: draught
    Place: at the brewery
    Score: 12½ points
    Overall Impression (2½)
    Dark red-brown color, dense head. Buttery, roasty aroma. Medium body. Lots of diacetyl. Underneath that, some roastiness, some dark Munich sweetness.