INTRODUCING EXIT 1 BAYSHORE OYSTER STOUT

For its third stop on our multi-year trip to explore the state of New Jersey through its beer and culture, Flying Fish journeys to Exit 1 for Bayshore Oyster Stout.

Oysters have had a long association with stout in the United Kingdom. This tradition was gradually lost to the rise of pale ales and overharvesting of the oysters. Exit 1 celebrates this tasty combination and New Jersey's history as one-time oyster supplier to the nation. Our version is an "export style" stout brewed with oysters. The creamy chocolate flavor harmonizes with the minerals from the oyster shells (there's no actual "oyster" taste). An Irish ale yeast contributes a bit of fruitiness and a dry crispness. This richer, fuller stout is perfect for cold weather and to share with friends over great food. Not to mention with a few oysters on the half shell.  It's also a great beer for Thanksgiving dinner.

And if you'd like to learn more about New Jersey's oyster heritage and what's being done to help restore the populations, visit our friends at Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.

Jeff Linkous put together a pretty nice documentary of the Oyster Stout project.

This limited edition beer is available in 750 ml bottles.

GRAND CRU NOW OUT AND ABOUT

It's just started shipping, so keep your eyes out for this year's Grand Cru Winter Reserve. If you hadn't had this beer before, think of this Belgian-style Golden Ale as the big brother--the real big brother--of the Farmhouse Summer Ale. Lightly filtered, the Grand Cru is a medium-bodied beer with exceptional malt character, a slightly spicy hop presence and a balanced, warming finish. Like the Farmhouse, we use a sour mash process to give it a dry, quenching finish.

Grand Cru Winter Reserve is perfect with all kinds of food or all by itself. Available in bottles and draft. It will be available in bottle, 1/6 kegs 1/2 kegs and maybe special cask conditioned versions through the holidays.

NO TOURS NOV. 28

We're taking a break to enjoy the holiday and you should too.

Gold Fish: 2 medals at Great American Beer Festival

Congrats to the Flying Fish brew crew as Exit 4 American Trippel took home the gold in a highly competitive category at Denver's Great American Beer Festival. We also grabbed bronze for HopFish IPA. This is on the heels of last year's silver medal for Abbey Dubbel. Although the Exit 4 is pretty much gone, you can enjoy our other two medal winners all year long.

Men's Journal Names Exit 4 Best Belgian Beer Brewed in America

The October issue picks their 15 best beers in the nation. As one of the earliest proponents of Belgian style beers in America, we were happy with the recognition. Click here to read the full story.

Welcome to the Neighborhood Party at Iron Hill Maple Shade

It's been a long time since a new brewery opened in New Jersey. Even better was that it's from our friends at Iron Hill and it's really, really close to Flying Fish. To celebrate, we're doing a Brewer's Reserve there October 24, 1-5pm. They'll be pouring a quadrupel, barleywine and special cask. We'll be featuring Grand Cru Winter Reserve, the last keg of the Beligan Imperial Mild, and the very last keg ever of the Gold Medal Winning Exit 4. Check out the Iron Hill Site for more info.

BEST FOR WURST--OKTOBERFISH IS BACK

Back for its eighth year, our take on this classic German style, the O'Fish uses German malts, hops and yeast. A beautiful reddish color, a savory malt profile and nice hop flavor make this Fest beer quite drinkable. OktoberFish is great with food and especially great with lederhosen.

OktoberFish is available only for a short time, so enjoy it while you can. Available in 12 oz. bottles, 1/2 and 1/6 kegs.

E-A-G-L-E-S & E-X-T-R-A PALE ALE

If you're lucky enough to get tickets for the Eagles this season, you can Extra Pale Ale on draft at the Link. If you can't get tickets, you can still enjoy all your favorite Flying Fish at home-and you probably won't have to wait in line at the bathrooms!

FLYING FISH CYCLING JERSEY--BREAK FROM THE PACK

These great looking jerseys are club cut and come in both men's and women's sizes. Super high quality and made in the USA by a leading manufacturer of cycling wear. These are unscientifically proven to increase your average mph (don't ask how, it's really complicated--it might even be a trade secret). Even if you don't ride faster, you'll look like you could if you wanted to. More info in Fishwear.

THANKS FOR STICKING UP FOR US

You may have seen or heard one of the many national news reports about Exit 11 and how MADD was mad. We appreciate the hundreds of folks who emailed us expressing support and incredulity that naming a beer after an exit promoted drinking and driving. Fortunately common sense prevailed and we are full speed ahead (on the production line that is).

If you missed the brew ha ha, here is the story in our local Courier Post and an editorial supporting us:
Cherry Hill brewery draws ire for naming beers after exits
Microbrew beers don't promote drunken driving

INTRODUCING EXIT 11 HOPPY AMERICAN WHEAT

For our second release, we chose Exit 11 - the crossroads of New Jersey. So we brewed a beer that celebrates a confluence of styles. We looked to Germany and its refreshing wheat beers, but used a classic English ale yeast. A trio of Pacific Northwest hops chime in to create at 6.2% abv beer that’s quenching, yet has a bit of a bite. Exit 11 is brewed with 50% Belgian pale malt and 50% white wheat. It’s hopped with Columbus, Palisade and Amarillo hops. We then dry hop it with more than a pound per barrel of Amarillo hops for a bouquet reminiscent of tangerines and apricots.

There are only 1,000 cases of 750ml bottles available and they start shipping this week. Once they're gone, they're gone.

LOTS OF EXIT 11 RELEASE EVENTS WEDNESDAY JULY 15

If we were really clever, we would have had the release party on July 11, but weren't--this time. Regardless, we've produced a few kegs to introduce the new beer and all will be tapped on July 15. Two Exit 11 Release Parties will be held on Wednesday, July 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. in Philadelphia at The Swift Half (1001 North 2nd Street) and Varga Bar (941 Spruce Street), featuring the first kegs of Exit 11. Exit Series’ draughts will be available for purchase on a pay-as-you-go basis. For those who wish to purchase Exit 11 bottles, both Philadelphia locations of The Foodery (837 North 2nd St. and 324 South 10th St.) will also debut Exit 11 the same day.

In New Jersey, opening tap events will be held at Back Bay Ale House (Atlantic City), Carolina Blue (Pitman), Cloverleaf Tavern (W. Caldwell), Blue Monkey (Merchantville), The Office (Montclair & Ridgewood), Cork (Westmont), Shepherd & Knucklehead (Haledon), Goodnight Irene's (Wildwood), Light Horse Tavern (Jersey City), Golden Inn (Avalon), Firewater’s (Hackensack), Pour House (Westmont), the Brass Rail (Hoboken) and on July 16, Capones (Norristown, PA).

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK

If you were following us on Twitter or Facebook, you'd already have a clue about the new Exit Series beer--Exit 11, plus lots of news on promos, new beers, festivals and other good stuff. We're also going to start doing special Twitter-only events and giveaways, so start following us today!