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The New Jersey brewpub Basil T’s would like to give thanks to all who supported them and the Garden State Brewers Guild in their brewing collaboration with Tun Tavern.  Their version of the beer, Cocoa Fuoco, was introduced on February 7. Basil T’s had a great turnout, with a good mix of Mug Clubbers, beer aficionados from around the state, guest brewers, and beer writers. Response was very positive; in fact, many people were surprised how drinkable a chocolate-chili pepper- cinnamon beer could be! By the way, it’s still on tap if you want to try some.

Also currently on tap is their traditional February seasonal, Iceboat Ale, a malty, well-hopped Scottish Ale. Don’t worry — this is the first of several batches master brewer Gretchen Schmidhausler will be brewing this winter. Alas, the Porter is gone . . . but, how would you feel about a reprise of Snow Wiesel IPA?

Tun Tavern calls it Cocoa Fuego, while the Italian Basil T’s calls it Cocoa Fuoco.  In English, the new beer is Chocolate Fire.  Cocoa Fuoco perfectly blends the taste of chili peppers, cinnamon and chocolate. The two versions were extremely similar but still contained slight variations of the recipe.  The pubs use different numbers of barrels and different types of hops during the brewing process.  Nevertheless, both Cocoa Fuego and Cocoa Fuoco can be considered the same beer by casual New Jersey beer fans.  The packed crowd at Basil T’s gave their hearty approval to both unusual blends.

How NJ Brew Pubs Made Cocoa Fuoco and Cocoa Fuego

Tim Kelly of Tun Tavern says a candy bar that was made from chocolate, chili peppers and cinnamon inspired him to create Cocoa Fuego.  He later pitched the idea to Gretchen Schmidhausler, head brewer of Basil T’s, at a brewer’s conference in Camden.  After 6 months of toying with ingredients, they had successfully developed a perfect mix of Dutch chocolate, ancho, cinnamon, chipotle and guajillo peppers.

Visit http://www.basilt.com/ for more information on hours and specialty craft beers.

Basil T’s Brewery and Italian Restaurant is preparing for the a celebration of local restaurants, Jersey Shore Restaurant Week. Running from November 5 -14, 2010, Jersey Shore Restaurant Week gives locals and visitors a taste of the food and drink offerings of various New Jersey restaurants and pubs along the Jersey Shore.
The first Restaurant Week in November 2009 drew 56 restaurants, the second in April 2010, 75. Thousands came out to enjoy specially priced 3 course meals at the Shore’s best restaurants and all Special Events sold out. November 2010 will be the third Jersey Shore Restaurant Week.

Basil T’s is no stranger to great beer and delicious food. The results of the 27th Annual Readers’ Choice Restaurant Poll recently honored the Red Bank brewery and Italian restaurant as it won best in Central NJ in both the Best Beer and Best Pub categories. The Italian restaurant in New Jersey offers six handcrafted beers (which includes a seasonal offering) by the Pint, Mug, Growler or Basil’s Sampler. Basil T’s is ready and excited to participate in this year’s Jersey Shore Restaurant Week. You can expect a full array of beer, wine and great Italian meals to be on hand during the entire event. For more information on Jersey Shore Restaurant Week or to buy tickets to the event, please visit this link: http://www.jerseyshorerestaurantweek.com/

Learn More About One of the Top NJ Restaurants

The Original Basil T’s is all about tradition. Everything is homemade, from the sauces and dressings to the mozzarella cheese, as well as the spectacular desserts and award winning beers. Visit this Italian Restaurant in New Jersey and experience truly unequaled culinary delights that only generations of dedication can produce. To the Rallo family, the Original Basil T’s is much more than a restaurant. . .it is life itself.
To view menu options or to make a reservation, visit Basil T’s online here: http://www.basilt.com/

Praises continue to pour in for Basil T’s and its hand crafted beer as readers of New Jersey Monthly gave the brews and brew pub high notes, securing two wins for the restaurant.  The results of the 27th Annual Readers’ Choice Restaurant Poll are in and the noteworthy beer of the Red Bank brewery and Italian restaurant was honored once again as it won best in Central NJ in both the Best Beer and Best Pub categories.

Basil T’s continues to impress critics and guests with its fresh Italian meals and homemade beer.  The 24-year-old restaurant has become a local favorite and one of the best restaurants and bars in Red Bank.  The Red Bank microbrewery features a minimum of six hand crafted ales each season.

All of the beers are brewed by Gretchen, who is only the second Head Brewer in Basil T’s history.  She has been brewing beers for over 14 years and is a graduate of the American Brewers Guild’s Craftbrewers Apprenticeship Program, in Woodland, CA.

Basil T’s was recently featured in Draft Magazine’s Online Exclusive: Top 10 Beers Brewed by Women, honoring Basil T’s brewer Gretchen Schmidhausler.

Gretchen and Basil T’s have also received recognition for The Original Basil T’s Maxwell’s Dry Stout:

• Gold Medal Winner, 2006 Great American Beer Festival (GABF), “Classic Dry Irish Stout”
• Bronze Medal, 2003 GABF, “Coffee Flavored Beer”
• Gold Medal, 2002 GABF, “Coffee Flavored Beer”

The next time you’re looking for an evening out, Basil T’s will not disappoint you.  Plan an evening in Red Bank to enjoy a fresh, authentic Italian meal and a refreshing, cold, award-winning beer at one of the finest restaurants and microbreweries in New Jersey.