Welcome to Jen’s Hoppy Hour! I’m so hoppy you’re here! I’m Jen, and I love beer! I’ll be your guide on our hoppy-hour explorations! My love affair with Beer began years ago in the sand pits of South Jersey, with some Michelob Dry and a Bud Light Beer Ball.  Wait no, I’m just kidding, but truthfully it is kind of where this journey began.
    The real story of my appreciation for beer started in Albany NY in 1997 at a little bar up the street from my apartment called Mahar’s. It was here that I was introduced to beer from all over the world, Lambics, Stouts, and Porters among others. Mahar’s had a computer in the back and next to it a giant binder with names and ID numbers for members of The Beer Tour. Every time you tried a beer from their rotating list you added it to your count. You were of course looking to score different swag at each level. Microbreweries were starting to take off in the 90’s and at Mahar’s you got to sample beer in NY from far-off places like California, Colorado, and Delaware. They also had fantastic offerings from Belgium, England, and Ireland on the list right next to the PBR.  This is when I began to appreciate the differences between styles of beer. I branched out a fair amount during the next 6 years or so, developing a deep affection for porters and stouts.  Then I had to hit pause, because, kids-3 of them. It really wasn’t socially acceptable at the time for parents to bring their offspring to the brewpub like it is today. You guys are some lucky ducks!
    Then about 11 years later I started to pick up where I left off. By now Craft breweries were more common, yes!  I was back in the game! Fast forward to 2022 (my birthday YEAR, as I turned 50!) A close friend suggested visiting 50 breweries in a year, 50 for turning 50!
   I said I’m in! I made brewery 50 on March 26th,  moved on towards 100, and hit that on August 24th. Then there was the push to 150. I didn’t think I’d make it, but on December 31st, 2022 I ended at 160 breweries for the year.
      I met and spoke with so many interesting people over that year: owners, brewers, bartenders, and other patrons. The stories I heard and the personalities I encountered made for such an enjoyable experience in addition to all the wonderful brews.
    The birthday year brewery tour really made me want to share my Hoppy stories with everyone, not just my family and friends.  That leads us to where we are now. 

    Wanderlust, Laughter, and Beer

My goal with Jen’s Hoppy Hour is to highlight some of the best places in NY and around the country to grab a cool brew or even a tasty spirit.  So many of these watering holes are run by amazing people all with some pretty cool stories.  We have so many choices for breweries these days my hope is that I help you whittle down that list to spots that work for you!  My plan is to save you time, our most precious commodity, aside from beer!  My goal is to inspire you to have a drink with your people, and your soon-to-be new friends sitting on the bar stool next to you. Good beer, good people, and good times, what a combination.
    Cheers!