It’s no secret that breweries are all the rage these days in New Jersey. But few are housed inside buildings that are nearly a century old. That’s exactly the case for Pallet Brewing Company in Maplewood. The brewery produces seven beers at a time, including seasonal flavors.
The 3,400-square foot space can seat 60, with additional barrels and a drink rail for standing customers. A fenced-in front patio will also be available during warm weather. Prior to becoming Pallet Brewing Company, the space was used for airplane parts and manufacturing. During its nearly 100-year lifetime, the building was also a vintage furniture and home goods store.
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Family-Friendly Vibes
Pallet Brewing Company has a warm, industrial vibe prominently featuring two colorful murals. They pride themselves on being kid friendly, which includes stocking the space with games for kids of all ages. They also sell kid-friendly snacks like fruit pouches and juice boxes. The owners even go so far as to offer highchairs and a family bathroom with a changing table.
Of their current brews, their most popular include the Canary, an American lager. Their two hazy IPAs, Lakeside and Cobalt, are also early crowd favorites. They make lagers using horizontal fermentation tanks, which are specialized for lager conditioning. They also have two specialty Lukr taps, which allow for a more precise pouring of their lagers.
About Pallet Brewing Company
Owners Jesse and Eric McGowan live in walking distance of the brewery with their daughter. Eric, who is also head brewer, has been professionally brewing for over 10 years at both small and large breweries. “We wanted to create a space for the casual beer drinker and the beer nerd alike,” Jesse says. “We think we have something from everyone.”
The husband-and-wife duo brew consistent, true-to-style beers from light lagers and hazy IPAs to fruited sources. “While the brewery is, of course, about the beer, it’s also about creating a warm and welcoming space,” Jesse says. They want Pallet Brewing Company to be a destination for family gatherings, date nights, parties, and more.
Reservations are available for groups of eight or more. While they don’t have a kitchen, patrons can bring in food. All of their beers are also available in to-go cans. Future plans include hosting events like Oktoberfest, a Bonsai Bar, Sip and Paint, live music, and trivia.
Visit Pallet Brewing at 30 Newark Way in Maplewood. Look for them online to learn more.
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All Photos: © Arron Andrews