By Joey Dominguez
BELFORD – The Belford Brewing Company, 84 Leonardville Rd., Belford, is a family-owned brewery owned by brothers Kevin and Michael Enny, both information technology technicians who were born and raised in Belford.
“My brother and I grew up here and we wanted to keep it in Belford,” said Kevin, 46.
The brewery, which opened on August 1, 2014 International Beer Day has been gradually gaining in popularity over the past year as the positive word-of-mouth continues to spread throughout the Monmouth County area due to the quality of their beer.
“Drinkability. That’s what we’re all about,” said Michael, 55, of their beers.
The bar offers everything from pale ales to lagers and almost all of the beers are aptly named after places and things local to Belford. The Wares Creek Pale Ale is named after the creek that divides Belford and Leonardo while Crowweed Stout is named after the marsh plant that grows on the “wet side” of Belford.
The Lobster Pot Nut Brown Ale is the exception, being named after the pot it was originally brewed in.
“The name just sounds good,” said Michael of the popular Lobster Pot ale. “It’s my favorite.”
The brothers also supply seasonal beers. They are currently brewing a peach beer named Lost P(B)each after the local Lost Beach as well as a honey rye made out of Jersey honey and Belford honeysuckle.
While a customer can buy mini taster shots for $1 to $2 and individual beers for $4 to $5 a pint, the bar also works on a token system. A customer can buy any amount of tokens at one time and continue to use the tokens until they are spent.
“When you come in you can make one transaction,” said Peter Enny, Michael’s 28-year- old son who helps tend the bar at the brewery. “It’s easier.”
The brewery also offers its customers a tour of the space to show them how the beer in their glasses is made, which involves transitioning the beer ingredients from one machine to another until the beer is drinkable.
“When these [boil kettles] have all been brewed, it’s like an orchestra in here,” Michael said of the noises the boil kettles make. He then tastes the beer after it is finished brewing. “I will have to take that task of tasting the beer to see if it’s ready … somebody’s gotta do it.”
Mark Mangelli, a 29-year- old middle school teacher from Middletown, met up with his friend Dan DiCicco, a 29- year-old attorney from Red Bank, last Friday after Mangelli had read about the brewery and received recommendations from friends.
“I wanted to have a couple of beers. I heard the Lobster Pot was good,” Mangelli said. “I went to [Drew’s] Bayshore Bistro and they were all talking about it. It’s good stuff.”
DiCicco liked that the space had a small, laid-back atmosphere.
While many of the brewery’s patrons love the current atmosphere of the bar, the Enny brothers realize that they are on the cusp of something big and that expansion may be inevitable.
BBC’s beer is on tap at nearly a dozen local bars and restaurants in the area, including Highland’s Windansea, Long Branch’s Jack’s Goal Line, Harborside Grill and Gaslight in Atlantic Highlands and Keyport Yacht Club. Strong demand is causing the brothers to contemplate a bigger space.
No matter how big this local brewery may become, the Enny brothers are adamant that the business should stay in Belford.
“We would like to stay local and in the area,” Kevin said. “It would work well for the area and for us.”
Although the Enny brothers are contemplating longer, extended hours to find a “sweet spot” and to keep up with demand the brewery is currently open 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Fridays and 2 – 6 p.m. Saturdays. For information and updates call 732-769-7168 or visit their Facebook page.
