NEW JERSEY - New Jersey not only boasts stunning beaches and an eclectic culture, but it is also home to some of the nation's most exciting craft beer hot-spots. With over 100 independent brewing companies, New Jersey's brewing scene is on the rise. In fact, the industry has grown 43 percent in just five years, making the state one of the fastest growing in the country.
New Jersey Has Some of America's Best Craft Breweries
1. Cape May Brewing
Chris Henke and Ryan Krill founded Cape May Brewing in 2011 to bring delicious craft beer to this beloved New Jersey beach resort. All beers are brewed at Rio Grande Brewery on-site, including year-round flagship ales such as its Cape May IPA, Devil's Reach Belgian Ales, Cape May Lagers, Always Ready Northeast Ales, Honey Porters, and Cape May Lagers; plus, there's a tap room open daily with a beer garden and draft pours of all their beers plus interactive guided tours offered daily; although guests cannot bring food from nearby restaurants for consumption there's plenty for everyone's pleasure!
2. Flounder Brewing Company
As his homebrewing hobby, Jeremy Lees founded Flounder Brewing Company, a nano-brewery located in Hillsborough, Somerset County, New Jersey. Since then, it has blossomed into an established small-batch business and opened its doors to the public in 2013. New Jersey's first nano brewery, Hill Street Honey Ale, is one of the company's signature beers, producing approximately 50 barrels annually. Other signature ales include Hill Street Honey Ale (an American pale ale); Murky Brown (American Brown Ale); Saison du Flounder (a farmhouse ale); Gingerbread Brown (winter ale with a spicy brown finish), and Floundering Pumpkin spiced pumpkin amber ale. Open Thursday to Sunday for fills and tastings, the brewery can be visited for all your craft beer needs!
3. Flying Fish Brewing Company
Flying Fish Brewing Company, the largest state craft beer producer, boasts a 45,000-square-foot brewery facility, a relaxed tasting area, and award-winning beer. Situated in Somerdale, it produces 25,000 barrels annually in various styles, such as American Trippel, Hoppy American Wheat, and Bayshore Oyster Stout; their signature beers can be found throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland.
4. High Point Brewing Company, Inc
High Point Brewing Company was founded in 1996 by Greg Zaccardi, an acclaimed brewer. They specialize in German wheat beer - known as Ramstein Beer - which conforms to German purity laws with only four ingredients - hops, malt, and water - for maximum enjoyment. Named after Ramstein Air Force Base located near Hamburg, Germany, Ramstein Beers represents American innovation, and German tradition is woven together.
5. Slack Tide Brewing Company
Jason and Tadhg Camp founded Slack Tide Brewing Company in 2015. They aimed to produce high-quality beers using local ingredients and products from the area, using the 3BBL process. Some of their beers have won awards, such as Belgian Blonde and Bell Buoy; 5 Fathom (Pale Ale), Monkey Face(Dry Stout); seasonals like Avalon Amber, American Red Ale, Blackfish (Blackberry wheat), Bobber (Blonde Ale) or Bucktail (American Brown Ale).
6. Devil's Creek Brewery
In historic Collingswood, Camden County, Devil's Creek Brewery is a beloved destination for locals and tourists to enjoy delicious handcrafted beer and gourmet food. Devil's Creek Brewery was established in a Quaker community, marking the first establishment to produce and sell alcoholic beverages in the region. Anthony Abate owns and operates the brewery, which crafts beers inspired by local farm stands. At this establishment, customers can find an array of saisons, blondes, wheat beers, maibocks and saisons, fruity IPA (double IPA), and fruity IPA. Eight rotating taps serve 32 oz. from their seven-barrel operation, while 64 oz. Growlers may be removed and enjoyed at a later date.
7. Eight & Sand Beer Company
Eight & Sand Beer Company takes its name from a phrase used to wish train crews. They craft traditional beers using American-grown ingredients, mostly sessionable (low alcohol content) and following classic styles. In their tasting room, visitors can experience something special every day of their visit: rotating taps featuring seasonals, core beers, and one-offs only available at their facility - Monkey & The Engineer, Zug Lager, or Bo Chaser Pale Ale are three core offerings; Brass Pounder/Grisette and Buzz Keeper are seasonal offerings too.
8. Brix City Brewing
Established by Pete Reuther and Joe Delcalzo in 2013, Brix City Brewing quickly made a name in the Jersey beer scene with 25v handcrafted beers released in its first year. Notable brands include Belgian Tripel, Porter, Gloria Blonde, Cheap Labor Pale Ale, Porter Authority, and Gloria Blonde, and exclusive releases such as Heady Jams or Silk City. Plus, the brewery is open seven days a week to cater to businesspeople looking to sample local suds!
9. Icarus Brewing
Icarus Brewing, Lakewood's first microbrewery, has earned a reputation for producing some of New Jersey's finest IPAs. They make fresh ales and lagers from locally sourced ingredients with insane variations of IPAs and saisons. Panic Pale Ale and Ella Ella IPA are their signature ales while Sunwalker Smoked Pilsner and Birdman Brown Ale can also be enjoyed; Black Mass Dark Chocolate made through warm Randall is another delicious offering from Icarus Brewing! Named after the Greek myth of balance, their interior taproom features hanging lights, comfortable seating, and warm decor, allowing guests to sample the beer.
10. Departed Soles Brewing Company
Departed Soles Brewing Company was established in 2015 as New Jersey's first gluten-free craft brewery. Situated within Downtown Jersey City's Powerhouse Arts District, its name was inspired by its founder, who shared a passion for beer and sneakers. They offer gluten-free options as well. Departed Soles Brewing Company boasts one of the finest craft beer selections in the Tri-State Area, using traditional ingredients like barley and wheat that are fermented in specially designed vessels. There are three brews: Departed Sols A Dark Night (a Cascadian dark beer that is gluten-free); Departed Sols GoodbIPA: Four My Homie; Philoso-Rapper; Red Headed Step Brewer; amber ale; and Cantankerous Blonde (also known as "South Ward Ale"), which is a honey blonde ale.
