USA, NJ: Angry Erik Brewing opening its doors on June 6

After about a year of construction and satisfying various site requirements, Angry Erik Brewing is set to officially open at its new location in Hampton Township later this week, the New Jersey Herald reported on June 5.

Angry Erik employees, with the help of some loyal patrons, were hard at work this week moving furniture and other items to Camre Drive, located off Halsey Road near Route 206, in preparation for the company debuting there on June 6. The new building is about a mile and a half away from the previous location on Millpond Drive in Lafayette, where the brewery had operated since opening in 2014 until its final day Sunday.

Heide Hassing, who co-owns the brewery with her husband, Erik, said the new space is 7,000 square feet -- about three times the size of the Lafayette building -- with the tasting room and production areas both much larger than at the previous spot. In addition, the Camre Drive location features an 800-square-foot outdoor patio, an amenity that was not feasible at Angry Erik's previous home.

"On a nice day like today, people can hang out there," Hassing said on June 3. She added that the patio is dog-friendly, so customers are welcome to bring their friendly four-legged friends to the outdoor space.

Angry Erik does not sell food, but guests are welcome to bring their own food to the brewery while enjoying the variety of beers offered. Hassing said some drinks still need to be set up at the new location, though several longtime customers have volunteered to help the brewery adjust in the next few days.

"There definitely are some finishing touches that will be yet to come," she said.

Thursday's soft opening will take place from 5 to 8 p.m., with members of the Angry Erik's Growler Club allowed in at 4 p.m. Twelve beers will be on tap to start, according to the brewery's Facebook page.

Angry Erik held a groundbreaking ceremony at the Camre Drive site in May 2018, and Hassing said work on the new building officially started some time after the July Fourth holiday. In September, the Planning Board approved a revised site plan for a joint stormwater infiltration basin on the site at the new property, paving the way for the move.

Hassing noted that some Angry Erik patrons were feeling nostalgic about the Lafayette location during its final days, but she assured them that they will forget those thoughts once they see the new space. Because the Camre Drive building was constructed from the ground up, she said, the owners were able to put a lot of "tender loving care" into the decor, incorporating Viking elements emblematic of the brewery.

"We put a lot of thought into the design, and we're really happy with how it turned out," Hassing said.

Angry Erik Brewing's regular hours are 5-8 p.m. Thursday, 4-8p.m. Friday, noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

06 June, 2019