Local Beer Baron Visits Caldwell Kiwanis

CALDWELL, NJ — Rick Reed, founder of Fairfield-based Cricket Hill Brewery, recently spoke to members of the Kiwanis Club of Caldwell about a subject near-and-dear to his heart: making beer.

Reed spoke with Kiwanis members at the Cloverleaf restaurant on May 17, regaling them with the story of the inspiration behind Cricket Hill. (Learn more about this local business here)

According to the Kiwanis:

“Rick was inspired to found Cricket Hill in 2000 after several business trips to London where he enjoyed several famous London pubs and trips to California where he first encountered an American style microbrewery. Along with his wife Patti, Rick decided to start a brewery in New Jersey, found a location in Fairfield and filed for the Federal Brewer's license on May 15, 2001.”

In February, Cricket Hill Brewery became one of the founding members of a recently launched state "brewers guild." According to a joint news release from the new trade group, its members brew more than 75 percent of the "independent craft beer" in New Jersey.

• See related article: Cricket Hill Brewing Among Founders Of NJ Brewers Guild
• See related article: Small NJ Brewers Are Fermenting Hope
• See related article: Montclair Couple's Proposed Microbrewery Hits Unexpected Snag

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Photo courtesy of Mike Dixon

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