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Jay was a great guy, and a brilliant brewer.
In the desert that brewpub beer has become, Jay's brews were always an oasis...high quality and skill in an arena that is usually unfortunately very lackluster at best.
I first met him way back when he was still involved with the pioneering Vernon Valley Brewery (a facility that unfortunately was way, way ahead of its time) where he made some of the most incredible and authentically German beer I have ever had the pleasure to taste.
In the late 80's thru the mid 90's I subsequently frequently sat with Jay at the OLD BAY in New Brunswick, NJ tasting the beers du jour, comparing notes, sampling homebrews, and sometimes just talking technical .
He was a rare bird...a very skilled brewer in a segment of the business filled with homebrewers over their heads and out of their league, and wannabes.
Jay was the real deal, and he WILL be missed.
Cheers, Jay...I hope they have some well aged beer where you've travelled to!
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