Craft beer writer doles out samples from East Coast Beer Co. at local NJ liquor store

Craft beer writer Jeff Linkous of Little Egg Harbor Township ditched the pen and paper on Friday night at Spirits Unlimited in Manahawkin to offer samples of beer brewed by East Coast Beer Co. Linkous, a part-time editor at The Press of Atlantic City and a former journalist with more than 30 years’ experience at the Asbury Park Press and The Associated Press, has been writing about beer since 2007. His interest in craft beer was piqued when he began homebrewing in the mid-1990s.

“I started giving up on Heineken and began drinking German imports and English beers,” he said.

Photo by Ryan Morrill
Craft beer writer Jeff Linkous supports
one of his favorite local businesses,
East Coast Beer Company.

Linkous met up with the owners of ECB in 2009, when longtime friends John Merklin and Brian Ciriaco of Point Pleasant Beach quit their jobs and started up ECB full-time.

“I wrote about them in 2009, and now we have a good professional relationship,” Linkous said. “I write about New Jersey beer brands. That’s what I do,” he added.

On Friday night, Linkous offered samples of three out of four of ECB’s beers.

Beach Haus Classic American Pilsner launched as the company’s first beer in the summer of 2010. A smooth, golden and full-bodied beer, the pilsner is made purely of ingredients found in America, just as the early style demanded, pre-Prohibition.

“It’s a little lighter in body, but it’s really flavorful,” said Linkous. “It’s good for summertime and warmer weather, but people drink it year ’round.”

Beach Haus Kick Back Ale, an American amber ale, was introduced in May 2012. The slightly sweet and hoppy beer is well balanced. Linkous compared it to Bass Pale Ale.

“It’s not heavy or light. It’s easy drinking, good for hanging out in the back yard, talking and commiserating,” he said.

Photo by Ryan Morrill
East Coast Beer Co. offers four different
beers, including a seasonal dark lager.

ECB’s latest beer is the Beach Haus Cruiser IPA, an India pale ale, which launched in April. An American version of the historical English-style beer, the Cruiser is brewed using American ingredients and features a higher hop aroma and more bitterness than its European counterpart.

“It’s a hot style now,” said Linkous.

All the brews except the seasonal Winter Rental are currently available at Spirits Unlimited and other local outlets.

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.