Somerdale, NJ – Today, New Jersey’s most award-winning craft brewer, Flying Fish Brewing Co., introduced the latest in its Exit Series – Exit 18 Baltic Porter, the first lager-style brewed in its expanded Somerdale facility.
Exit 18 Baltic Porter reflects a truly international style. Influenced by English Porters and Russian Imperial Stouts, Baltic Porters originate from countries surrounding the Baltic Sea. This exceptionally complex beer starts with a rich chocolate and toffee nose, an initial sweetness on the tongue that evolves into a satisfying roast with licorice flavors in the finish. Hops are secondary in this beer, providing a bit of bitterness and spiciness that compliments its initial sweetness.
As with all Exit Series brews created by Flying Fish, this beer represents the spirit and cultural influences of the area for which it’s named – Exit 18 of the New Jersey Turnpike, roughly the areas of Secaucus and Carlstadt, also known as the gateway to the George Washington Bridge. This area has strong ties to the Baltic Region – the large Polish community that immigrated to and remains in the area to this day is evident through the businesses, churches and civic organizations that populate the region.
“The specialty craft beers in the Exit Series are an ode to the state that I love – the state where I was born, raised and educated. They are as diverse and interesting as New Jersey itself. I hope I capture a little of the tapestry that is New Jersey with each new brew in the series,” says Gene Muller, President and Founder of Flying Fish.
The Exit Series of beers is a multi-year brewing experiment to brew a series of beers as diverse as the great state of New Jersey. The idea originated when Gene Muller was stuck in traffic on – where else? – the New Jersey Turnpike. These big beers–each beer is 750 ml and packed with flavor– will be unveiled individually; each will celebrate a particular exit of the state-long artery, the New Jersey Turnpike, focusing on a characteristic of the area surrounding the exit for which it is named. Exit 18 is eleventh in the 750 ml Exit Series. Some of the more successful releases have reappeared in 12 oz. bottles as seasonal or year-round offerings.
About Flying Fish Brewing Company:
Flying Fish Brewing Company was established in 1995 as the world’s first virtual microbrewery, something novel that drew a lot of attention. Capitalizing on this early notoriety, founder Gene Muller took Flying Fish into brick and mortar, constructing the first microbrewery in South Jersey. While New Jersey once boasted more than 50 breweries, Flying Fish was the first new brewery built in Southern New Jersey in more than half a century. Business grew, and Flying Fish now produces a range of beers year-round, along with a variety of seasonal specialties. Flying Fish beers are eight-time medal winners at the Great American Beer Festival, the most of any New Jersey brewery. Success meant expansion, and in 2012, Flying Fish moved from Cherry Hill to its new facility in Somerdale, making it the largest brewery built in the state since prohibition. The tasting room at Somerdale now offers weekly one-off and barrel aged beers. This facility also boasts many sustainability features to brew the award-winning beer in the most environmentally friendly way possible. Flying Fish primarily distributes in Delaware, Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Washington D.C. Flying Fish is also known for its ties to the community: each year, the company donates more than $100,000 in goods, services and merchandise to local nonprofit causes.