Lunch at Cape May Winery & Slack Tide Brewing

My wife and I recently enjoyed another doubleheader adventure. Our first stop was Cape May Winery for a light lunch and libations. Since we have visited here often we didn’t need to do flights or an “educational tasting.” There are so many beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces at this venue. We were seated in one of our favorite spots on their patio. Though their special summer dinners are missed, this light, impromptu lunch (no reservation needed or accepted) was terrific.

Food

Cape May Winery offers a nice assortment of small plates, sliders, and charcuterie plates. We selected an order of Chickpea Hummus: Israeli Salad, crisp chickpeas, Za’taar spice and toasted pita. We also ordered their Tuna Poke Tacos (three tacos loaded with Hawaiian style marinated raw ahi tuna, avocado, and cilantro).

                             

As usual the photos don’t do justice to the food. Both of these selections were excellent.

Wine

I selected a red and a white-the 2018 Red Reserve and the 2020 Albarino. I couldn’t have chosen better!

2018 Red Reserve-A marvelous smooth red blend of Cab Sauv (40%); Merlot (30%); Syrah (20%); and Petite Sirah (10%). It has notes of rich dark fruit, is medium to full body, and has good acidity.

2020 Albarino-There are a number of New Jersey wineries who are making Albarino today. I must say they are all different and all pretty good. This is one of my favorites. It has tropical fruit aromas, peach flavor, and a refreshing dry finish.

Since we were planning to visit a brewery on the way home, we put stoppers in our wine and headed for the beach to walk off some of our lunch…

Two quick insider tips: 1. There is no beach fee here on the bayside. 2. There’s a great restaurant across the street (down a few blocks) called Harpoons on the Bay (formerly Harpoon Henry’s). They have the best sunset views over the water and great seafood.

Slack Tide Brewing Company

This excellent brewery is located in Clermont. It was about a 15 minute drive from Cape May Winery (and basically on the way home). A GPS might come in handy, but it is a goldmine for beer lovers, who obviously had no trouble finding it. We got the last parking spot on the premises. Several patrons had already parked across the street.

My wife and I each enjoyed a sampler of four, four ounce pours. We each tried the Monkey Face (American Stout) and Bourbon Barrel Stout. My other two were:Thermocline (IPA Imperial/Double-ABV=8.8%) and Double Header-also an Imperial/Double IPA (ABV=8.5%).

One of my wife’s other two choices (which of course I tasted) was their Estuary IPA-yet another Imperial/Double IPA, only this one was their New England version. She also tried their Schoolie American Pale Ale (ABV=5.6%).

The stand-out in this tasting session was their Morning Bite Imperial Breakfast Stout aged in Bourbon barrels (pictured below). It was out of this world! This is a rich, complex stout with an amazing blend of chocolate and bourbon notes that just blow you away (ABV=11.5%). Breakfast Stout? I’ll have to try it with my oatmeal!

There was not one beer in our tasting that I did not like. I can’t believe how many IPA’s they make-all different and all good. I also like that there are none lacking in taste (or alcohol). No “near beers” at this brewery! Not a lot of sweet fruit bombs. Just good brews in a nice setting (with a large indoor area, as well as picnic tables in the rear, where we sat). We will definitely be back.

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