I was standing behind the On The Water booth at the Edison NJ Saltwater Fishing Expo when I noticed a handful of attendees and vendors tossing back beers with a familiar logo on the front. The logo belonged to TAK Waterman, a well-known fishing tackle and surf shop in Long Branch, NJ, who had partnered with Monmouth County’s own Ross Brewing Company to release a crisp and savory lager. I must admit, I am not a beer aficionado, especially when it comes to IPAs and all the other variations of pale ales. Personally, I enjoy the lighter end of the beer spectrum; the refreshing taste of a pilsner or a lager is the perfect summertime beer as far as I’m concerned. I turned to Jim Fee, who gave a nod of approval after a wordless exchange, insinuating that as Assistant to the Editor, my duty was to get our mitts on some of these brewskis before day’s end.

Ross Brewing Co. sits right along the shore of Sandy Hook Bay, so you know they attract some fish-friendly clientele, much like the folks who frequent TAK Waterman, which was co-founded by Mike Gleason and Nick Spadavecchia. When I approached their booth at the expo, Nick was kind enough to sneak me a 4 pack of ice-cold Fishfinder Lagers from a cooler beneath their table.

I scurried back to the OTW booth to share a toast to the upcoming saltwater fishing season with Jimmy, and we were pleasantly surprised by the flavor of the beer. It was slightly darker than most domestic lagers like the American classic, Budweiser, and it has a bit of a nutty aroma and flavor profile. Not only does Fishfinder have a better flavor than your typical lager, it’s also not overly carbonated, so it finishes smooth. There’s a mildly bitter aftertaste that lingers on the tongue, which I wasn’t exactly fond of, but it did not detract from the beer’s appeal at all. In fact, when Nick realized our small supply had gone dry, he swung by the OTW booth and generously donated their last 4 pack to us.

An added bonus to purchasing a pack of Fishfinder Lager is knowing you’re supporting two local businesses, and that you’re drinking a beer made for fishermen, by fishermen. I can’t think of a better brew to enjoy on the way back to the dock after a long day of striper or tuna fishing.

TAK Waterman Fishfinder Lager

ABV: 5.2%

Homeport: Belford Harbor, NJ

Official Score: 8.4/10