Visited: January 21, 2003

Opened: 1995

Annual Production: 900 bbl

Contributors: Guy Drouin, Richard R Tinurelli

Ship Inn was founded in 1985. Ten years later, they installed a brewhouse and became New Jersey's first brewpub. They're located on Bridge Street, just on the New Jersey side of the Delaware River bridge. Their 7-bbl Peter Austin system with two open fermenters produces a range of British ales, many of which are cask-conditioned. Twelve-ounce glasses are $2.75; imperial pints are $3.95. The beers are brewed with Munton's malt, hops from Herford, and Ringwood yeast, which is a notorious producer of diacetyl, but they're keeping it in check for the most part. In addition to their own fine beers, they've got some tasty imported selections, such as Gale's HSB and Young's Ram Rod. There are quite a few Scotches on the shelf, including The Original Oldbury Sheep Dip. And there's an impressive array of English and Scottish bottled ales. The food menu abounds with English delicacies, and even a curry or two.

Ship Inn is out in the middle of nowhere and damned difficult to find, but it's well worth the effort.

Updated: February 19, 2013

• 2008-04-23: Beer in a box (Newark Star-Ledger)

• Best Bitter
  (Special) Best Bitter
  • Date: January 21, 2003 (#4609)
    Package: real ale
    Place: at the brewery
    Score: 17 points
    Overall Impression (3)
    Bright amber, thick dense head. Smells like a freshly opened sack of malt. Light body. Big fresh grainy malt flavor gives way to a mild English hop flavor and bitterness. Hint of diacetyl as it warms.