Death of the Fox Brewing Company

I spent a lovely afternoon at Death of the Fox Brewing Company in Clarksboro NJ. And it’s not only a brewery, it’s also a coffee roastery. In fact, it’s the only combination brewery/roastery in NJ.

As my companion and I walked in, we couldn’t help but comment on the charming atmosphere and how immediately at home it made us feel. Not to mention, this well-appointed brewery was housed within a strip mall, unusual to say the least. There were beautiful paintings of fox hunts adorning the walls and couches complete with privacy curtains, and super cool, metal-framed, globe lightbulb chandeliers.

The winsome Bailey filled us in on the history of the brewery’s distinctive name. It comes from an old tavern just up the road called Death of the Fox Inn built in 1727 and was where the Gloucester Fox Hunting Club would end many of their hunts with a pint.

Bailey also mentioned that the proprietor of Death of the Fox Brewing is owned by a Beagle (those of us with Beagles know they own us!). This little tidbit warmed my heart as I, too, have Beagle family members! During our visit, we noticed quite a few people scattered about typing away on laptops. I can’t say I blame them as the vibe here is totally chill and you can keep the coffee coming!

Death of the Fox Brewing Company isn’t just a brewery, it’s also a coffee roastery, all of which is roasted on premise. My companion tried their Toasted Pistachio Latte and was overjoyed by not only the taste, but also the presentation.

So not only can you enjoy a flight of ales, but you can also delve into a coffee or Cafe au Lait flight in which you can choose 4 of their 10 available flavors. Unfortunately, we were so focused on the beers, we missed the sign advertising their coffee flights, but that’s alright. Death of the Fox Brewing offers such creative menus on both types of drinks that a return trip is inevitable.

16 Taps

With 16 taps available, we were hard-pressed to choose only 4 of the offered beers.

First out of the gate was a Blueberry Muffin Kolsch with a 5.2% ABV. Blueberry can be a dangerous ingredient, and I’ve certainly had far more terrible blueberry-tinged beers than good ones. This time however they nailed it! The nose is so oddly like a blueberry muffin, it’s somewhat unnerving. But the high hopes the nose delivered were met upon tasting it. Light and refreshing with just the right amount of blueberry sweetness coming through.

Butterbeer

Bilius Finbocks “True” Butterbeer, a historical beverage coming in at 6.8% ABV was next up. The oldest Butterbeer recipe dates back to 1594, so when Death of the Fox Brewing says historical they aren’t kidding. The Butterbeer had a sweet caramel nose alongside a rich butterscotch flavor. Normally I would tend to stay away from a beer this sweet, but the name grabbed me and I’m so thankful it did: so smooth and rich, yet somehow light for all its inherent sweetness.

We then moved on to the Creme Brulee Caramel Copper Ale, an American Amber ale at 6.6% ABV. A lovely copper color with a hint of vanilla mixed in with notes of caramel, this drink had a too-sweet, almost syrupy finish, so two sips of this were enough for me.

Glory! Ukranian Golden Pilsner was up next with its 5.2% ABV. Nothing too exciting to report here, just a crisp, clean, and straightforward pilsner you can rely on. Something to be easily enjoyed on a hot summer day.

I went with a short pour of one more, the Watermelon Sugar IPA coming in at 6.5% ABV. If you’re wondering if I tried this IPA because of the name, I have to report…yeah, I did. I can’t help that I love that song! This particular offering by Death of the Fox Brewing was truly delightful. Fruity and hoppy, with a little haze and just the right amount of ripe watermelon sweetness. I know this one may not be everyone’s cup of tea (or pint of beer), but I’d definitely order this again given the chance.

Now this being New Jersey, there are some funky laws for breweries, such as not serving food on premises, but you’re welcome to bring your own meal or snacks with you. In the warmer weather, outdoor seating is available.

And if you feel like throwing a party, Death of The Fox Brewing can be rented out for any type of celebration. They also feature live music nights on some weekends, and an open jam/mic night on Tuesdays, and Trivia Wednesdays. You can check the calendar on their website or Facebook page for up-to-date information on brewery events.

A Little Bit Extra

Death of the Fox Brewing is part of the Two Bridges Wine, Beer, and Spirits Trail. This trail takes visitors on a tour through some of South Jersey’s distinct breweries, distilleries, and wineries. Each offers its own unique take on familiar beverages with a little something for everyone. You can map out your visit here at Two Bridges Wine, Beer, and Spirits Trail | Tours in New Jersey (twobridgestrail.com)