J.J. Bitting Brewing Company

J.J. Bitting Brewing Company
33 Main Street, Woodbridge
908-995-0188; njbrewpubs.com

Hours: Mon–Thurs and Sun, noon–9 pm; Fri and Sat, noon–9:30 pm; bar stays open until the crowd wanes.

Price: $/$$

Style: Dimly lit, century-old, industrial-style building with brick walls, exposed pipes and rafters, stained glass lamps and natural-finish wood floors. Clientele ranges from young couples to large families.

Don’t Miss: The freshly brewed beer ($4.50 for a pint). A well-balanced Märzen-style lager, Bitting’s Bad Boy Oktoberfest is a medium-bodied brew with a sweet, malty aroma and smooth taste. Prefer a lighter variety? Try the Raspberry Wheat Ale. Made with fresh raspberries in lieu of flavoring and aroma hops, this brew has a fruity fragrance with a crisp raspberry note. J.J.’s Blazing Brewhouse Wings ($5.95) are the perfect bar fare. Served with fresh veggies and homemade blue cheese dressing, the deep-fried wings can be ordered with your choice of sauces—a zesty Cajun hot, medium or mild—made from the restaurant’s own Blackjack stout. Another tasty starter is Key West garlic bread ($4.95), served with a pool of creamy house alfredo sauce for dipping. But don’t fill up on appetizers. The Colorado burger ($7.95) is a sizable buffalo patty topped with sautéed onions, mushrooms and sundried tomato-pesto mayo. Popular entrées include fish and chips ($10.95), a large basket of fresh cod battered with J.J.’s own Victoria’s Golden Ale, served with homemade malt vinegar and waffle fries; and New York strip steak ($17.95), a 14-ounce, choice strip, grilled and served with a baked potato and fresh vegetables.

Heads Up: The restaurant’s happy-hour specials offer $2.50 pints and free food Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 pm.

The Scoop: Established in 1997, J.J. Bitting Brewing Company became the first brewery to operate in Woodbridge since the repeal of prohibition in 1933.