What On Tap, Hoboken - The Mile Square

by Mike Pomranz, Posted Nov 12th 2009 @ 5:00PM

Photo: themilesquarehoboken.com

A weekly look at the draft selection in beer-friendly bars across the country.

Hoboken, N.J. spends a lot of time in the shadow of New York City. For many people, Hoboken is best recognized as "the last place your frat brother who was planning on going to business school" resided. But though many of its residents travel across the Hudson for work, Mike Farley, manager of Hoboken's the Mile Square, believes people shouldn't have to travel into the Big Apple to find a good beer.

"We have 30 taps," says Farley, speaking with pride about Hoboken's largest tap selection. "And we rotate about 17 of them constantly with all craft beer." He admits they have to keep on some of the standards -- Miller Lite, Guinness, Stella -- Hoboken is still a somewhat conservative place compared to, say, Brooklyn. But Farley believes their selection stands up to even some of the best bars in New York.

"Last month, we had 11 different Octoberfests," Farley points out. "People are already coming in asking for Christmas beers."

See the yesterday's complete draft list after the jump. ...

That sort of diversity and seasonal selection will definitely set a bar apart. "[Our customers] love that we change the taps all the time," says Farley. "People have their favorites, but we have people who come in seasonally because they know we're going to have their favorite beer."

The Mile Square listens to their patrons too: "We take suggestions. We just try to keep it interesting." After over a decade in the business, managing 30 draft lines the entire time, they know sometimes a bar needs whatever inspiration they can turn to. In the end, however, as Farley puts it, "We'll try stuff, but we know what people like." That's the confidence one would expect from a Jersey guy!

So no jokes about how now that What's On Tap has come to north Jersey this column is officially past its prime. Places like the Mile Square are hoping to change all that.

Sam Adams Winter
Sam Adams Boston Lager
Dogfish Head 120 IPA
Stella Artois
Victory Golden Monkey
Miller Lite
Radeberger Pilsner
Rogue Chocolate Stout
Rogue Dead Guy Ale
Smithwick's
Old Scratch Amber
Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
Tröegs Java Head Porter
Yuengling
Guinness
Lion Stout
Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat
Old Scratch Gonzo Imperial Porter
Elysian Immortal IPA
Stone IPA
Aventinus Wheat Doppelbock
Lancaster Hop Hog
Boulder Hazed & Infused
Abita Brown Ale
Tröegs Hopback
Chimay Triple
Newcastle
River Horse Tripel
Lagunitas IPA

Filed Under: Lists, What's On Tap?, Drink Recipes, Drinks
Tags: beer, draft beer, DraftBeer, hoboken, jersey, mile square, new jersey, New York City, seasonal, seasonal beers, the mile square

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-12-2009 @5:57PM Megan said... "Hoboken is best recognized as "the last place your frat brother who was planning on going to business school" resided."

Um, okay...When I think of Hoboken, I think of Cake Boss / Carlo's Bakery.
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11-12-2009 @5:59PM Mike Pomranz said... Ha. Thanks, Megan. The quotes mean it's a joke! But I will certainly begin swaying my perspective in a new direction.
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