Hike and Sip Series - Stokes State Forest and Muckracker Beermaker

Friends, it has been another LONG while... over two years since my last blog entry. The world has changed (significant understatement).  We are living in strange and challenging times -- the COVID times. My personal journey over the past several months has included lowest "lows" (e.g losing my job due to the pandemic) and highest "highs" (e.g. tying the knot with my very best friend and college sweetheart from 30 years ago).

Life is strange! Who among us would have guessed that we would be living in such political turmoil and collective discontent? That we would be wearing masks, avoiding gatherings, unable to travel without restrictions and quarantines?  Who would have guessed that we would be starved for simple things like hugs from those we love?  I miss spontaneity, discovery and humanity. For me, the perfect convergence of these things in pre-COVID times was discovering live music at a great venue or going to a great bar where you could hear a new or favorite band, have food/wine/beer or a well made cocktail and engage in conversation, laughter, friendships (old and new). I especially miss being part of the positive energy of likeminded enthusiasts experiencing something together; strangers who are friends through this common moment of joy - spontaneous humanity. That said, the potential risks are too high to engage in these activities, for now.

But we carry on and look for new paths. I have discovered other ways to experience some of this same spontaneity, discovery, humanity and likeminded connection. One way is to regularly engage in what I am calling "hike and sip" combos.

In this series of blog entries I will offer some great NJ "hike and sips" within 1-2 hours of my hometown of South Orange, NJ (which is only 30 min from NYC so NYC peeps could probably manage it).  In each entry I will recommend a hike (that can be done safely outside in small groups of family and friends), and also a corresponding craft wine/beer/spirit venue, outdoors, for post hike refreshment. I will provide some tasting notes and recommendations too.  

If you are a New Jerseyan and want to see how incredibly beautiful our (much maligned) home state really is, especially during fall foliage season, and you appreciate great craft makers and want to meet likeminded enthusiasts and support local businesses that need our help all in a reasonably safe way while many venues are still offering outdoor experiences  -- NOW is the time get out there and try these combos!

Hike and Sip #1: Stokes State Forest and Muckraker Beermaker

Last weekend had a great hike and sip.  We drove up to Stokes State Forest which is in Northwestern NJ (Sussex County). We decided to take the Sunrise Mountain loop, following a well marked trail that offers scenic views following the Kittatinny Ridge with views of the Kittatinny Valley to the east and the Delaware River Valley to the west. Part of this trail converges with the Appalachian Trail (white blazes). The crest of the Mountain is about 1,650 feet above sea level making for great vistas.  Despite the elevation, this was a not a difficult trail. The climb is gradual and there are no significant rock scrambles at all.  In fact, the majority of the trail was on the ridge which was mostly flat and easy rambling with regular views. We traveled counterclockwise on our approximately 8.5 mile loop. The first part of our hike was north and easterly uphill. We saw native mountain laurels, pitch pines and wild blueberries as we climbed. At the crest we stopped to enjoy morning views to the east, stopping at the Appalachian Trail shelter. On our return, there was a fair amount of downhill as we traveled west into the Delaware valley crossing a few lovely rocky streams.  The trail was only lightly traveled at the time we hiked -- just a few birders at the crest and one camper on the Appalachian trail that we stopped to chat with. 

After this hike we were thirsty! So we picked up two hearty sub sandwiches at Savoli's Ravioli, a classic old school NJ Italian deli in Franklin, NJ and then carried on, lunch in hand, to our refreshment destination, Muckraker Beermaker.  If you enjoy well crafted lambics, sours and ales, this place is for you! The highlight for me was the TM Sentry Peach fruit beer, a spontaneous beer fermented in French oak and conditioned on 6 pounds per gallon of Sentry peaches from Cumberland County.  Super refreshing and tart with great peach aroma on the nose and bright peach notes as you drink. We bought a bottle to take home. The F Twenty, a farmhouse ale, with NJ pilsner, wheat and Munich Malts and German and Czech hops and farmhouse yeast was also crisp and gulp-worthy.  

The beer garden, just behind their brewery is a little oasis -- it is an unused parking lot, yes. But the brewmaster and his team have taken the thought and time to dress it up with tables, barrels and stools, shade umbrellas and potted plants to help make the garden welcoming. Tables were distanced, the serving staff were following protocols and all of us likeminded strangers were happy, friendly and collectively appreciating the well made brews. The brewmaster came out and struck up conversation. Frankly, it was an amazing and relaxed atmosphere. We enjoyed the sun, crisp blue sky, cool September breeze, beer and sandwiches (with some other drinkers enviously commenting "we should have done that!") Muckraker is planning to have outdoor heaters in the beer garden over the next few weeks to extend the outdoor season.  So, "go take a hike... (and stop for a sip)!"

Of note: Tom and I were regular hikers and cyclists "B.C." (before COVID). Hiking has become an even more important escape for many -- a chance to have a change of scenery (like all of you, our four walls can feel like a cage at times) get some fresh air, and a chance to spend time outside, mask-less for the most part. The trails are seeing more and more people who have caught the "hiking bug" so be aware that if you want to avoid heavy foot traffic especially on the more popular trails on the weekends, it is wise to start out EARLY.  Generally, we have found that starting our drive so that we are at our trailhead by about 7am and then taking a morning hike that ends sometime around 11-12ish is the perfect timing to pair with grabbing food to go (or packing a picnic) and a making a lunchtime visit to the craft winery and brewery venues that generally open around 12noon/1pm.  PS I highly recommend hiking shoes/boots for the hikes I share in this series. With just a few exceptions the hikes I discuss are true hikes on trails, not strolls on paths.  New Jersey hiking trails are notoriously rocky and tough on ankles!