Sunday 23rd of October 2011 04:56:59 AM

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This place tries too hard. For a Friday, the place wasn't very crowded. The atmosphere is upscale casual, and a nice looking menu, but the beers are mediocre. Maybe I was just unlucky the time I went, but they got my order wrong, and the staff was rather slow. Most of their beers (Ghost Pony Helles Lager, JP Pilsner, McRae's Rally Ale and Octoberfest) tasted like average home-brew. The stronger beers (Kestrel IPA, Dr. Otto, Colonial Porter) were better, I think because they masked any underlying off-flavors. One beer did stand out as really enjoyable - the Jet Fuel Double IPA (9.2%). So Trap Rock doesn't rate very high in my book, but as with any brewpub, my advice is try it for yourself.

Thursday 8th of September 2011 11:35:59 AM

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Trap Rock produces some of my favorite beers in NJ. I can always rely on the majority of their beers to be outstanding. The sampler is particularly enjoyable because of the uniqueness and drinkability of their selection. I bring Ghost Pony home with me on most trips as everyone loves drinking it. More great news - Trap Rock now exports their brew to a selection of other NJ restaurants. I've seen it at 3West in Basking Ridge, and Tabor Road Tavern (which makes sense because they are in the same restaurant group).
The food selection here is "exotic", in terms of being slightly over the top. One note we have found is that it is not always paired well with side dishes, and some of the pairings don't work together. Most dishes are fine, and some are great. One side dish of note is authentic grits, which by any account are not 'instant', and may even be shipped in hot from Georgia.
The atmosphere is warm and rich, just shy of stuffy. They have a great-looking room upstairs for small parties.
Go here for the beer and have some food on the side.