The Jersey City Independent"

Editor’s note: The Independent is happy to bring regular contributor Jonathan Fitzgerald into the fold for some blogging. He’ll still be writing features on a regular basis for us; those will just be supplemented by his occasional informal musings on the blog. This is his first post — enjoy.

I realize that I’m not the first excited Jersey City beer enthusiast to dedicate a few hundred words to Chilltown’s newest restaurant, but really, I can’t contain myself. Last night I walked around the block (literally, so close) to the newly opened Zeppelin Hall, buried deep inside the Liberty Harbor development, with my wife and a friend who was visiting from out of town. The experience of walking there was a bit bizarre, Liberty Harbor is like some kind of urban Disneyland where the varied architecture on Liberty View Drive feels like some kind of cartoony ode to city living — but I’m no student of architecture and beer is the main focus here anyway.

At about 6 pm when we arrived I, for a moment, felt badly for the owners of Zeppelin Hall as it was completely empty inside. And, if you’ve seen any of the pictures that have been floating around, or read any of the other write-ups, you know that the sheer size of this place it one of its most distinguishing characteristics. But never fear, it was empty inside but only because it was a beautiful evening and outside in the “garden” area it was hopping.

We made our way through the interior, admiring the hardwood floors and high ceilings, not to mention the impressive bar with new draught handles glistening in the early evening sun, out to picnic table heaven. Outside the ground is covered with small stones that provide that pleasant crunching sound as one walks to an empty table carrying a half-liter, liter or pitcher full of beer.

The great thing about picnic tables as far as the eye can see is that if you happen to seat yourself too close to a table of obnoxious, loud talkers it is not difficult to simply get up and make your way to an empty table in your own private corner of the garden. But enough about the tables … on to the beer!

On my first go I opted for a half-liter of Boddington’s: not the biergarten-est of biergarten beers, but a personal favorite that I couldn’t resist. A half-liter, though the smallest size available, makes for an impressive mug of beer and cost me all of $5 (I love this city). My wife helped herself to a Hofbrau Hefeweizen, which, she reported happily, was one of the best hefeweizen’s she’s ever had the pleasure of drinking ridiculously slowly.

I only had time, and, admittedly, tolerance for a couple more so my next choice was a Blue Point Toasted Lager followed by the old standard, Newcastle Brown Ale. My buddy chose the same beers as me throughout the night, though for his last beer he opted for the full liter, or, what at many bars would be considered a pitcher.

The thing about Zeppelin Hall’s proudly advertised “144 draft lines of European beers and American craft brews” for an avid beer appreciator is that it lays itself out as a mission to be accomplished; a holy grail to be sought.

I decided that I will drink at least one of every beer that Zeppelin Hall has to offer. And further, I will tell you about it, week after week. Stay tuned for a new series featuring Zeppelin Hall’s Beer of the Week. It is a daunting task, but somebody has to do it. Don’t worry Jersey City, I won’t fail you.