High ABV Beers

Hazlet - Tuesday, May 14 - 5pm to 8pm

Marlboro - Wednesday, May 15 - 5pm to 8pm

Lakewood - Tuesday, May 14 - 5pm to 7pm

Last week we tasted through some lower ABV session beers. This week we are doing the opposite: Massive, high alcohol (ABV) beers. The styles to be sampled will include Beglian Quads, Double IPA's, Imperial Stouts, and Barleywines

Come by this week and try some high ABV beers.

Session Beers

Hazlet - Tuesday, May 7 - 5pm to 8pm

Marlboro - Wednesday, May 8 - 5pm to 8pm

Lakewood - Tuesday, May 7 - 5pm to 7pm

The one problem with some craft beers are the often high alcohol (ABV) content. The result - less beer is consumed - 1 Belgian quad or Double IPA and you are done for the evening. However. there is a growing movement within the craft beer world to create flavorful, low alcohol "session beers." The benefit being that one could enjoy a "couple" great brews and not be shot for the rest of the evening. Session beers are perfect for a BBQ or just hanging-out enjoying the weather. Come by this week and try some session beers perfect for warm days and long nights.

Stone Brewery

Hazlet - Tuesday, October 16 - 5pm to 8pm

Marlboro - Wednesday, Ocotber 17 - 5pm to 8pm

Lakewood - Tuesday, October 16 - 5pm to 7pm

Stone Brewing Co. was founded in 1996 by Greg Koch and Steve Wagner in San Marcos, CA. They were one of the first to pioneer the west coast style of beers. If you are not familiar with the style, it is big in your face beers that are aggressively hopped. With beers like Arrogant Bastard and Ruination IPA there beers are designed to take no prisoners. Their motto is "You're Not Worthy"

Unibroue Beers

Marlboro - Wednesday, Ocotber 10 - 5pm to 8pm

From the very beginning, Unibroue of Canada has carved out a special niche in the beer world with top quality products and a brand rooted deep in Quebec culture. It made history by becoming the first North American beer maker to use a brewing method inspired by the two-centuries-old tradition developed by Trappist monks in Europe-particularly in Belgium. Over the years, Unibroue has remained faithful to its origins even as it has grown to become an icon of the brewing world. Unibroue beers are so unique and rich, the flavors transport you and take you on a journey filled with legend and fabulous tales.

Football Beers

Hazlet - Tuesday, October 9 - 5pm to 8pm

Lakewood - Tuesday, October 9 - 5pm to 7pm

Great Divide Brewing Company was founded by Brian Dunn in 1994 in Denver, Colorado, USA. Three months after brewing its first batch of beer, it won the first of the brewery's twelve Great American Beer Festival and four World Beer Cup awards. By 2007, Great Divide was ranked by RateBeer.com as the 23rd best brewery in the world with three of the world's top 100 beers In December 2008, Beer Advocate magazine ranked them as the seventh best brewery on the planet. Care to try?

Football Beers

Hazlet - Tuesday, October 2 - 5pm to 8pm

Marlboro - Wednesday, Ocotber 3 - 5pm to 8pm

Lakewood - Tuesday, October 2 - 5pm to 7pm

The NFL season is finally upon us, and there's nothing quite like rooting for your favorite team with a tasty craft beer in your hand. In honor of the kickoff of the 2012 NFL season, Wine Academy is sampling some our favorite football beers. Whether it is a nice IPA to hold up to the heat of Buffalo wings or a dark and rich stout to keep you warm while tailgating, we will have something for everyone.

Oktoberfest Beer

Hazlet - Tuesday, September 18 - 5pm to 8pm

Marlboro - Wednesday, September 19 - 5pm to 8pm

Lakewood - Wednesday, September 18 - 5pm to 7pm

As the weather gets colder and fall set in, nothing beats a nice hearty Oktoberfest beer. From classic German Oktoberfest beers to a more modern American style, it seems like everyone makes an Oktoberfest. Not only are these beers delicious they are also steeped in tradition, which a lot of times is forgotten. Stop in and sample through a few different styles and learn about the origins of this beer craze.

Pumpkin Beers

Hazlet - Tuesday, September 11 - 5pm to 8pm

Marlboro - Wednesday, September 12 - 5pm to 8pm

Lakewood - Wednesday, September 11 - 5pm to 8pm

Often released as a fall seasonal, Pumpkin Ales are quite varied. Some brewers opt to add hand-cut pumpkins and drop them in the mash, while others use puree or pumpkin flavoring. These beers also tend to be spiced with pumpkin pie spices, like: ground ginger, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and allspice. Pumpkin Ales are typically mild, with little to no bitterness, a malty backbone, with some spice often taking the lead. With literally dozens of options to choose from it is tough and expensive to find the right one. Stop in and have a chance to sample through some of our favorites.

Tommy Knocker Brewery

Lakewood - Tuesday, August 7 - 5pm to 7pm

Tommy Knocker Brewing has been in existence since 1859, and has continuously produced a variety of soft drinks including sodas (root beer), bottled water, and beers. Today, their two highest-selling products are their beers and root beer, but we are focusing on their beers. (Of course) Stop in and try Nice Saison- A golden Saison is brewed for summer refreshment in the traditional Belgian Saison fashion. Drink Fresh!

Dogfish Head

Marlboro - Wednesday, August 8 - 5pm to 8pm

This week's tasting we will be pouring Dogfish Head beer, if that doesn't get you excited I don't know what will. Dogfish Head brewery was founded as a small brewpub in Rehoboth Beach Delaware, in June of 95', and has since exploded on the beer scene. The concept behind the brewery has always been "off-centered ales, for off-centered people", and they still pride themselves on that motto. Who else could pull off the beers that they have made and still be as hot as ever. From their ridiculously hoppy 120 minute IPA to their take on a traditional Peruvian drink made with chica (a Peruvian corn), Dogfish never ceases to amaze. Anyone can make crazy beers, but Dogfish actually pulls it off and makes different, but delicious brews

Beer for Oenophiles

Hazlet - Tuesday, August 7 - 5pm to 8pm

Beer has a blue-collar image, so fine beer can sound like a contradiction. However, beer can be just as diverse and complex as well-aged Bordeaux, where quality is valued over quantity. This week's beer tasting is dedicated to the wine drinker's beer. There are many great beers for wine drinkers that have wine-like characteristics. Some have wine grapes added during the brewing process, while others have the acidity of wine and pairs well with food. Join our beer sommelier Tim as he shows you the finer side of beer.

Estrella Damm Beer

Lakewood - Tuesday, July 31 - 5pm to 7pm

Estrella Damm is a Catalan pilsner. It has been brewed in Barcelona since 1876 and is the flagship beer of S.A. Damm, a prominent Barcelona brewery. "Estrella" means "Star" in both Catalan and Spanish. This lager beer with a universally appreciated character and taste is ideal for drinking at any time. Its high quality is due to the finest selection of raw materials and the meticulous brewing process. It stands out for its creamy hops-flavored and refreshing taste.

IPA Day

Hazlet - Tuesday, July 31 - 5pm to 8pm

Marlboro - Wednesday, August 1 - 5pm to 8pm

In celebration of International IPA Day this August 2nd, why not celebrate it with an American IPA tasting. IPA means India Pale Ale. Back in the day of the British Empire, they would add more hops to preserve their beer for the trip to the colonies. Jump to the 20th/21st Century, American brewers decided to make their own interpretation of the English IPA, hence the modern more well-known American IPA was born. Come join us for a celebration of this very popular style.

Southern Tier Brewing

Lakewood - Tuesday, July 17 - 5pm to 7pm

Hazlet - Tuesday, July 17 - 5pm to 8pm

Marlboro - Wednesday, July 18 - 5pm to 8pm

Southern Tier Brewing Company is committed to providing delicious, accessible and unique products. In doing so, they aim to change the way people drink beer. Their mission is to provide customers with consistently fresh, clean, American craft ales and lagers that stand on their own merit. Southern Tier Brewing Company of Lakewood, New York, has grown to produce around 50,000 barrels of beer annually. The hand crafted ales are now available in more than half of the United States, as well as parts of Australia, Denmark, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Ontario, British Columbia, and the United Kingdom.

Tappist Beer Tasting

Lakewood - Tuesday, June 19 - 5pm to 7pm

Hazlet - Tuesday, June 19 - 5pm to 8pm

Marlboro - Wednesday, June 20 - 5pm to 8pmN

Hunterdon Brewing Company is New Jersey most prevalent craft beer distributor. They distribute some of the biggest names in craft beer-brands like Chimay, Dogfish Head, Stone, and Mikkeller to name a few. So what does that have to do with Wine Academy's beer tasting you might ask? Well every so often Hunterdon decides they need to clear out some inventory in their warehouse. To do this, they offer us Great Brewers Variety packs, this is a mixed 12pk of some of their finest beers at a great price-$13.99 a 12pk that is $1.17 a beer. We would love for you to take our word on what a great deal this is, but we decided to take it a step further. This week's beer tasting we will open up a variety show you what's inside and taste you on 4 of the beers inside. We are putting our money where our mouth is!

Tappist Beer Tasting

Lakewood - Tuesday, April 17 - 5pm to 7pm

Hazlet - Tuesday, April 17 - 5pm to 8pm

Marlboro - No Class

You have probably heard this term or have seen it labeled on some of your favorite beers, but what is a Trappist beer? There is no beer style called Trappist. The term "Authentic Trappist Beer" is a designation of the brewery of origin. To use the name and the logo, the 4 rules of the International Trappist Association must be observed:
The product must be made within the walls of a Trappist abbey or in immediate vicinity.
The equipment necessary to the production must clearly express a dependency in regard to the monastery.
The product must be made by or under the supervision of the monastery community.
The largest part of the profit must be spent on social work.

No Class This Week

All Stores - Week of April 2

Because of the holiday schedule we will not be hosting a beer tasting this week. As much as we love beer, we know the Holidays are about family, food and wine. We hope you enjoy your holidays, your family and your celebrations.

Riverhorse Brewery..

Lakewood - Tuesday, March 27 - 5pm to 7pm

Hazlet - Tuesday, March 27 - 5pm to 8pm

Their Story... 'You don't have to be in a dead end job to feel like you aren't going anywhere. That's the way we felt before River Horse. We were finance geeks living in a world without soul. Grinding it out everyday for a fee, wearing suits and kissing _ _ _ _. Then this brewery chose us... she forced us to ask ourselves, 'Is this desk job really how I pictured my life?' We answered that questions by taking over River Horse in 2007 and have not looked back. We may not end up as the greatest success story on earth, but at least we had the spirit to try. Sometimes, for better or worse, your dreams get the best of you. Just remember, it's a big world out there and cubicles don't have doors, so you can walk out anytime'. Hope you enjoy the beer... - Glenn and Chris

Shock Top...

Lakewood - Monday, March 3 - 5pm to 7pm

Shock Top is a traditional Belgian-Style wheat ale made in America. It was originally created in 2006 as a seasonal brew with the name, 'Spring Heat Spiced Wheat.' After collecting gold in the same year and winning bronze in 2007 in the Belgian White category at the North American Beer Awards, they decided to brew year-round. With their new name, 'Shock Top' they've never looked back. Shock Top has since expanded their line with the additions of a raspberry wheat beer, and a just introduced Wheat IPA. Come taste and discover these fine beers, and additionally be one of the first in New Jersey to taste the new Wheat IPA.

Left hand Brewing Co.

Lakewood - Monday, February 20 - 5pm to 7pm

Hazlet - Tuesday, February 21 - 5pm to 8pm

This past December I was excited and pleased to share with you that great breweries were making their way to us in New Jersey. Well I am stoked to say, 'they are here!' Wine Academy wants to welcome this world class brewery and share with you an opportunity to taste some of their delicious and fantastic beers. Our customers are the best, and are always interested in great craft beers.
I want to thank you, our customers, those of you starting to become interested in the craft movement and those of you who are true barons of beer for your support. Your interest and support encourages these great breweries to join Wine Academy, let's show them our appreciation, visit us on Monday... taste, sip and discover the world of craft. Cheers!

Left hand Brewing Co.

Lakewood - Monday, February 6 - 5pm to 7pm

Hazlet - Tuesday, February 7 - 5pm to 8pm

Being a left handed craft beer drinker, I have an affinity for this brewery. I always said that lefties will one day take over the world. After finishing some research of the brewery, I discovered the name 'Left Hand' honors the leader of the native Arapaho Indian tribe that once occupied most of Colorado: Chief Niwot. The name Niwot translates to left hand! Oh well, my dream of a brewery run entirely by left handed employees may have been crushed, but the beer is absolutely fantastic.
Left Hand Brewery's respect for sustainable agriculture is evident in their 'going green' effort. They use solar panels to power most of their facility; encourage staff to cycle to work; minimize the use of water wherever possible, and also recycle nearly everything. Even recycling the spent grain and organic material that remains after the brewing process into livestock feed. Raise a pint, in your left hand of course, and celebrate their great efforts and great beer... cheers.

Victory Brewing

Lakewood - Monday, January 16 - 5pm to 7pm

Hazlet - Tuesday, January 17 - 5pm to 8pm

The story of Victory Brewing starts on a school bus in 1973 when fifth-graders Ron Barchet and Bill Covaleski stepped aboard, on their way to a new school and quickly became friends. The two have been friends ever since and eventually both got into home brewing.
The friendly rivalry to produce the best beer pushed each other to hone their brewing skills. In 1996 they decided to put it all on the line and opened up Victory in Downingtown, Pa. Victory is all about quality beers and is one of the few breweries to use whole flower hops as opposed to cheaper less flavorful pelletized hops. For that reason alone you should come and try their beers.

Flying Dog Brewery

Lakewood - Monday, January 9 - 4pm to 7pm

Hazlet - Tuesday, January 10 - 5pm to 8pm

Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends. Flying Dog Brewery began in Aspen Colorado as a small brew pub and quickly gained popularity. The small hand crafted beers pushed the envelope of what a beer can be. With beers like their Gonzo Imperial Porter which pays homage to famed American writer Hunter S. Thompson and art work by Ralph Steadman, how could you go wrong? These beers are as edgy and in your face as the pop icons they draw inspiration from. Remember, 'Good people drink good beer.'

Kona Brewing Company

Lakewood - Monday, December 12 - 4pm to 7pm

Hazlet - Tuesday, December 13 - 5pm to 8pm

Kona Brewing Company was started by father and son team Cameron Healy and Spoon Khalsa. The pair had a dream to create fresh, local island brews made with spirit, passion and quality. Their love of Hawaii, and a desire to protect the pristine environment here, brought them to the Big Island to fulfill their vision. Kona Brewing continues to be headquartered right where it began, in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii's Big Island.

Fresh Arrivals

Lakewood & Halzet Locations

Sam Adams - Infinium

"Our brewers worked for two years with the world's oldest brewery, Germany's Weihenstephan, to create this unique new beer style. A groundbreaking brew, made with only the four traditional ingredients: malted barley, hops, water and yeast, Infiniun is a crisp champagne-like beer with fine bubbles and a fruity, spicy aroma. The crisp clean malt character and delicate fruit notes in this beer are complemented by a slight citrus flavor from dry hopping with Bavarian Noble hop."
*Very Limited

Beers for Winter Enjoyment...

Lakewood - Monday, November 27 - 4pm to 7pm

Hazlet - Tuesday, November 28 - 5pm to 8pm

What exactly is a winter beer? Well that is a good question. Winter beers are often malty and complex, although there are no rules for how they should be brewed. Some are made with fruit or spice and some rely on the artful handling of hop or malt combinations that create wonderful complexity with typically a more than usual alcohol percentage.
There is something special for everyone when it comes to the holidays and Christmas! With so many seasonal selections, it can be difficult to know what everyone may enjoy most when buying holiday inspired beer.
Come on and try before your buy. This Tuesday - get your holiday brew on!

East Coast Brewing Company

Lakewood - Monday, November 7 - 4pm to 7pm

Hazlet - Tuesday, November 8 - 5pm to 8pm

We are happy to announce that we are featuring a truly local beer. East Coast Brewing Company was launched in 2010 and is based right out of Pt. Pleasant New Jersey. The first beer launched was their Beach Haus beer which is a take on a classic Pilsner style. This unique pre-Prohibition, American-style Pilsner was once prevalent throughout the American brewing landscape. We will also feature their new beer launched into the market called Winter Rental, this is a black lager and anyone who has ever rented a house down the shore knows where the name came from.

Oskar Blues

Lakewood - Monday, October 31 - 4pm to 7pm

Hazlet - Tuesday, November 1 - 5pm to 8pm

Great canned beer? The term has been an oxymoron for craft beer lovers used to getting their full-flavored beers from bottles only. But in November of 2002, Oskar Blues Brewery (in tiny Lyons, Colorado, pop.1400) changed that by launching its "Canned Beer Apocalypse." The brewery began hand-canning its hoppy, assertive-but-elegant Dale's Pale Ale on a table-top machine that sealed just one can at a time. The move made Oskar Blues the first US craft brewer to brew and can its own beer. Why Cans? Cans keep beer incredibly fresh by fully protecting it from light and oxygen." And unlike cans of old, the modern aluminum can is lined with a coating so beer and metal never touch. Cans are also easier to recycle, free of glass breakage issues, and less fuel-consuming to ship. (35% of the weight of a bottle of beer is the bottle itself.)
Line Up

Dales Pale Ale
Ten Fidy Imperial Stout
G'Knight Imperial Red
Mama's Little Yellow Pils

Beers From Around the World

Lakewood - Monday, October 24 - 4pm to 7pm

Hazlet - Tuesday, October 25 - 5pm to 8pm

To most Americans there are just three styles of beer: regular domestic lager, imported lager and light beer, but I will tell you that there are 140 different styles of ales and lagers in the world. That's not just a guess. That is the official number according to the Brewers Association 2010 Beer Style Guidelines. Of course there are some discrepancies to the actual number, but you get the idea. This week's tasting is going to highlight some different styles of beer from some not so known places.

Beer Blast Monday & Tuesday - Founders Brewery

Lakewood - Monday, August 15 - 4pm to 7pm

Hazlet - Tuesday, August 16 - 5pm to 8pm

Every week I get a chance to share my passion of beers with you, and I must say I love my job. This week I am going to show you one of my all-time favorite breweries. Founder's Brewery out of Michigan makes some of the world's best beers and that is not just my opinion. In 2010, Ratebeer.com ranked them as the 4th best brewery in the world, and they have several beers listed in the top one hundred beers of the world on Beeradvocate.com. Stop in and decided for yourself! "We don't brew beer for the masses. Instead, our beers are crafted for a chosen few, a small cadre of renegades and rebels who enjoy a beer that pushes the limits of what is commonly accepted as taste. In short, we make beer for people like us."

Beer Blast Monday & Tuesday - Brooklyn Brewery

Lakewood - Monday, August 8 - 4pm to 7pm

Hazlet - Tuesday, August 9 - 5pm to 8pm

In the late 19th century, Brooklyn was a haven for newly arriving immigrants. A majority of the immigrants were of German descent and brought with them their knowledge of brewing. Small local breweries dotted Brooklyn and were creating high quality beers, but times changed and larger, mass produced beers dominated the market. In 1976, Rheingold, the last remaining brewery in Brooklyn closed its doors. Fast forward to 1987 when Brooklyn brewery opened its doors with the intent of bringing back a rich piece of the city's history. Founded by Steve Hindy and Tom Potter, their goal was to bring quality beer back to Brooklyn. This was not an easy task considering the beer market was controlled by big business. No distributor wanted to carry their beers because they were expensive and there was virtually no advertising behind the product. Determined to crack into the market, they hand sold their way through Brooklyn, delivering beer out of vans painted with the Brooklyn logo. Today, Brooklyn Brewery is among America's top 40 breweries. They were the first New York Company to switch to 100 percent wind powered energy, and sponsor several local charities. Let's drink to that!

Two In Store Tasting - Esprit du Vin French Wine Merchants & Louis/Dressner Wines

Saturday, December 18 - 1pm to 7pm

Please join us at the Wine Academy on Saturday December 18th from 4-7PM for a tasting of wines from Esprit du Vin French Wine Merchants. EDV is an excellent source for all things French and we will have Scott Gallagher their New Jersey State Manager on hand to take you through the wines.

EDV sources authentic Estates and Domaines throughout France for you to enjoy. Scott has traveled to the vineyards of France for more than twenty years and has a unique perspective to share.

We will be tasting;

Domaine Michel Briday Bouzeron Cuvee Axelle 2008-White Burgundy from the "other" grape Aligote.

Chateau de la Chaize Brouilly 2008- Cru Beaujolias from the top Estate in Brouilly.

Domaine Guyon Gevrey Chambertin La Justice 2008-Full throttle Pinot Noir from Burgundy Legend Dominique Guyon.

Domaine des Saumades Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 2008- up and comer Franck Mousset's tiny but excellent Rhone estate.

In Store Tasting - Louis/Dressner Wines

Saturday, December 18 - 1pm to 4pm

Ones hears a lot about 'Natural Wines' these days, with little concern as to how the wine actually tastes! Are you ready to discover wines that have a sense of place and are amazingly delicious?

If so - then please join us on Saturday, December 18th from 1 to 4pm and taste the Wines of Louis/Dressner with Lee Campbell, and discover how amazing handmade, natural wines can be.

In Store Tasting - "The Glenlivet"!!!

Wednesday, December 15 - 4pm to 6pm

Come by Wine Academy Superstores this Wednesday, December 15 from 4-6pm as we will have an in-store tasting with Ryan Caswell "The Glenlivet Brand Ambassador" and Michael McNeil (District Manager for Pernod Richard) tasting "The Glenlivet"!

They will be pouring "The Glenlivet" - 15 year, 16 year and 18 year bottles. They also may bring along something "SPECIAL"!!!

So come and enjoy a taste with us - this Wednesday, December 15 from 4pm to 6pm at the Wine Academy Superstore on Route 70 & Shorrock Rd - Home Depot Shopping Center - Lakewood/Brick.

On-Site Personalized Engraving !!!

Saturday, December 4

Come by Wine Academy Superstores on Saturday as we will have personalized engravings on every purchases of Jack daniels Single Barrel, Woodford Reserve and Gentleman Jack.

The engravings will take place in the store from 1pm to 4pm. Customers can get a personalized message engraved on each of these items.

Thanksgiving 2010!!!

Saturday, November 20 - Thursday, November 25

Thanksgiving is America's tastiest holiday. Turkey and all the trimmings are often accompanied by dishes from the homeland in this nation of immigrants. With so many flavors and preparations at one table, what's a wine lover to do?

For starters, honor the work done in the kitchen and choose food-friendly wines. Pinot Noir is the perfect starting point for reds, from the New World of California, Oregon and Chile to the classic wines of France's Burgundy region. This varietal doesn't seek to overwhelm the cuisine, instead you'll find that it harmonizes with it.

If white wine is in order, think outside the cask. Riesling and its cousins like Pinot Gris (or Grigio!), Pinot Blanc, Scheurebe and Gruner Veltliner provide a nice alternative to oaky wines, and your food will thank you for it. These selections will also open your eyes to the wide array of flavors and aromas that a white wine can possess, and give you ideas for your next food and wine pairing.

Bud Girls On-Site

Saturday, November 20, 2010 - 12 Noon - 3PM

Come get your pictures taken with the world famous Budweiser Girls and enjoy major discounts on all Anheuser Busch products!!!

GRAND OPENING

Friday, November 12, 2011

Come share the day with us at Wine Academy Superstore in Lakewood, NJ – 1900 Route 70 – Home Depot Shopping Center. We’ll have major discounts on most items, all day wine tastings and vodka tasting, and for those beer drinkers out there the Bud Girls will be on hand to help you find your way through the store.