BRICK — We all have a favorite watering hole where we get together with friends, break bread, clink glasses and celebrate this thing called life.

If you’re lucky, that bar is a place where “everybody knows your name,” a popular lyric from the opening song of the NBC sitcom, “Cheers,” which ran from 1982 to 1993.

One of the main characters on “Cheers” who sat at the bar, trading barbs and jokes with others, and drowning his sorrows in beer, was Dr. Frasier Crane, played by actor Kelsey Grammer.

Well, instead of sitting at the bar, the actor will actually be behind the bar at a popular watering hole in Brick Township, serving up some of his own suds.

On Saturday, Sept. 10, Grammer will be at Mantoloking Road Alehouse on 247 Mantoloking Road, from noon to 1:30 p.m., pouring his Faith American beer, and meeting the patrons, while the family-owned bar and restaurant celebrate the grand reopening of its outdoor dining area.

Mantoloking Road Alehouse, Brick, NJ (Photo Credit: Google Street View)
Mantoloking Road Alehouse, Brick, NJ (Photo Credit: Google Street View)
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Grammer founded his Faith American Brewing Company in 2015 in the Catskills. As a boy, the actor visited the Catskills and spent many days there, according to the website. He always wanted to have a future with these mountains, so 28 years ago, the land was bought, which is home to his brewing company.

His three brews, Faith American Ale, Faith American Calico Man India Pale Ale IPA, and Faith American New England Style India Pale Ale Blue are distributed throughout New Jersey along with some New York Counties.

Grammer also takes part in various brewery promotional shows, which is how he connected with Mark Zarrilli, one of the three brothers who own Mantoloking Road Alehouse, according to the Brick Patch.

Rich, Mark, and Anthony Zarrilli have lifelong roots in Brick and have owned and operated the alehouse since 2017.

Mark Zarrilli was in Atlantic City where Grammer was having an event for his beer. The two got a picture and had a conversation about the beers. Zarrilli mentioned that he and his two brothers owned a bar in Brick and would love to serve the actor’s beer there, according to brother Anthony Zarrilli.

He also told Grammer that Mantoloking Road Alehouse hosts the beer garden at Windward Beach on Princeton Avenue for the township’s “Summerfest” concert series and that he would love to offer Grammer’s beer there, as well, Zarrilli said.

About a week later, Grammer called Zarrilli and they set it all up. The Faith American beer was a huge hit at Summerfest and at the restaurant.

Grammer even stopped by the bar about a month ago for a meeting to discuss an event with the brothers, Zarrilli said.

Anthony Zarrilli, Mark Zarrilli, Kelsey Grammer and Rich Zarrilli (Photo Credit: Anthony Zarrilli)
Anthony Zarrilli, Mark Zarrilli, Kelsey Grammer and Rich Zarrilli (Photo Credit: Anthony Zarrilli)
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Now, it’s all going to happen on Sept. 10.

Grammer feels helping a local restaurant after the pandemic while promoting his beer is a “win-win” for everyone, he added.

Mantoloking Road Alehouse will open early on Sept. 10 and will be serving the actor’s beer only while he is there.

It’s a cash-only event and both indoor and outdoor seating will be available.

Grammer’s appearance goes hand-in-hand with the grand reopening of the bar’s outdoor seating area, which has been upgraded, Zarrilli said.

Jen Ursillo is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach her at jennifer.ursillo@townsquaremedia.com

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