When you order a beer at Glenbrook Brewery in Morristown, chances are you’ll be enjoying an award-winning recipe. Heath Traver is the head brewer who has won over 15 awards over the last three years. Their most recent, beer of the year from the 2023 annual Brewski Awards for their Ford Maion Basement Barrel-Aged Beer beating out over 700 submissions.
It all started innocently enough back in 2011 when his brother-in-law Skip bought him a beer kit for Christmas. “When I started brewing I really enjoyed it,” says Heath. “I shared it with friends and family, and then started getting larger equipment brewing five gallons at a time.” All this brewing took place at his home on Glenbrook Road in Morris Plains.
After winning his first award in 2015 for his Jockey Hollow Pumpkin Ale™, he knew that he wanted to take it further. Partnering with his brother-in-law, Darren Cregan, who has a background in art and advertising, they opened Glenbrook Brewery in 2021.
The brewery’s tagline is Revolutionary Beer ®. “We build the brewery around all the revolutionary history in Morristown and name our beers after local landmarks and national parks,” says Darren. For example, one beer is called Lewis Morris™ Exploration Ale and another is Tempe Wick Farmhouse Sour™. If you’re not sure which beer to try, order a flight with small tastes of different options. They are the first and only brewery in Morristown.
Private events can now be held at Glenbrook, from birthday parties to corporate and fundraising events. The possibilities are endless. “We offer straight cash bar, or the host pays the tab and can set a limit for drinks. You can cater from your favorite location or cook at home. We don’t sell food.” They have capacity to host 223 guests, and three spaces. Downstairs holds 110, upstairs 35 guests and in their patio 40 guests. They can also take the beer on the road to special events with their traveling tap system.
In addition to serving great tasting beer and seasonal hard seltzers, their large 5,000 square foot open-concept brewery is family friendly. There are board games to play and non-alcoholic drinks including coke products, seltzers flavored drinks and birch beer. They want families like theirs to be able to come in and have a good time together. “We encourage families to come with their kids and relax. Sunday is stroller central here.”
Pets are always welcome on their patio, and on Mondays and Tuesdays, they can even hang out inside the brewery. Of course, service animals are allowed anytime.
Due to a change in legislation, breweries can now provide food for their events. They host trivia night every Wednesday and Saturday night live music. For any other day, there are menus available from restaurants around town. Most will even deliver.
“Our goal is to have people enjoy our atmosphere…there is no pressure here to leave. Stay and enjoy your beer”, says Conor Boucher, general manager.
The brewery is open daily. Visit GlenbrookBrewery.com
“Our goal is to have people enjoy our atmosphere...there is no pressure here to leave. Stay and enjoy your beer.”