LIQUID ASSETS
As we were wrapping up our Fall issue this week, close friends we had not seen in a long time reached out to invite Ray and me “to come over for margaritas. We did. Leaving our laptops behind, we enjoyed a wonderful evening of catching up, good conversation, and lots of laughs. It felt great to reconnect.
“Drinks” have a way of doing that. Whether of the alcoholic or zero-proof variety, enjoyed on a backyard patio or in a coffee shop, winery, or restaurant, getting together over a drink provides an easy, relatively no-fuss, low-pressure path to connect. And anything that sets the stage for in-person meet-ups gets high points from me these days. A good portion of this issue celebrates the liquid assets of the Garden State. As the local food movement has taken hold across New Jersey in recent decades, an equally exciting local drinks movement has been its pace car. There’s been a burgeoning rise in the number of wineries, distillers, cider makers, craft brewers, and even producers of coff ee, tea, and milk—many of whom did not exist two decades ago.
And you can feel the energy in their tasting rooms and establishments. Nearly every one of these independent New Jersey businesses is headed up by entrepreneurs who possess all the passion, determination, and scrappiness inherent to risk taking. They flavor NJ’s drink culture with their commitment to using local ingredients in their products and creating a taste of place.
We’ve tried to share some of their energy in this issue. We visit the new Pallet Brewing and hear Brie Devlin of the Brewers Guild of NJ’s views on the state of the state’s beer industry. In our special section, we look at how to best “Discover the New Jersey Wine Scene” now. We wine AND dine at wineries and restaurants that are going the extra mile to show what truly local pairings at the table taste like. We share our favorite spots for mocktails, realize the struggle of one farmer’s commitment to producing local milk, and we meet with a maker determined to share the authentic art of matcha.
In addition to energy, these local businesses have another thing in common: They need your support to succeed. That’s why this issue also includes our annual Drink Local Guide (page 65) and Fall Destinations Guide to help you find your way.
One of my personal favorite stories in this issue, though, is about the infamous Bluff s of Bay Head, written by V.C. Chickering. It’s a fun reminder of the role a beloved bar can play in a community, and in our memories.
As we were leaving our friends’ home last night, I couldn’t find my cell phone. I searched through a few rooms and then was surprised to realize I had never even taken it out of my purse! I guess in-person camaraderie can do that to a person.
In a world increasingly tethered by digital devices, food and drink provide a critical path—a setting—for leaving our machines behind and reveling in true connection and community. Cheers to more of it in the days ahead!
Sincerely,
Nancy Brannigan Painter
Editor & Publisher
