All over NJ, more breweries and brewpubs are crafting beer. Here’s the latest from the Garden State breweries and brewpubs.
Record 25 Breweries Will Be Pouring at Guild Festival
Want to know who’s pouring at the Garden State Craft Brewers Guild 19th Annual Beer Festival on Saturday, June 27? The festival will include a record number of breweries:
- Angry Erik Brewing
- Birravino
- Brix City Brewing
- Cape May Brewing
- Carton Brewing
- Cricket Hill
- Demented Brewing
- Flounder Brewing
- Flying Fish Brewing Co
- Forgotten Brewing
- Glasstown Brewing
- Hearthstone Grille
- Iron Hill
- Kane Brewing
- Little Dog Brewing
- Lunacy
- NJ Beer Co.
- Rinn Duin Brewing
- Riverhorse
- Ship Inn
- Spellbound Brewing
- Triumph Brewing
- Tuckahoe Brewing
- Tun Tavern
- Village Idiot
Order tickets online for the Garden State Craft Brewers Guild 19th Annual Beer Festival, Saturday, June 27 at 12:30pm – 4:30pm on the Battleship New Jersey. Our biggest turnout yet–20 NJ Breweries. Music by Cabin Dogs. Food for purchase. Ticket includes free self-guided tour of battleship and collectible glass. VIP tickets get in one hour early and allow you to try a range of special beers that may run out before main session starts.
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Cape May Brewing Launches New Location
Last month, legislators, dignitaries, community leaders, and members of the media descended upon Cape May Brewery Brewery for the official launch of the company’s second location at Cape May Airport, a 15,000 square foot warehouse that was under renovation for a year and a half. During his speech, Senator Jeff Van Drew praised CMBC for epitomizing entrepreneurial spirit, and “turning something that was nothing into something extraordinary,” while Congressman Frank LoBiondo called Cape May Brewery a great example of the American dream. Later, he confided that CMBC’s summer Bog is “my new favorite beer of all time; it goes down very easy, which can be… dangerous.” For more on the ribbon cutting — including what the mothers of CMBC’s fearless leaders had to say about the whole thing — visit their blog.
After the party, it was back to business as usual, which at CMBC means a cool and constant flurry of activity. They began brewing in their new, 30-barrel brewhouse, and released two anticipated summer brews: Geek Out 2.0 and Queen Street Beach Plum Ale. The latter, made with wild yeast found on grapes growing just outside the brewery, was infused with pomace, the crushed skins and seeds of beach plums pressed by a local restaurant for cocktails. Viva la sustainability!
Meanwhile, CMBC served as exclusive beer sponsor for the Exit Zero International Jazz Festival (picture 100 world-class musicians jiving at multiple Cape May venues for three-straight days), and was honored by TripAdvisor for “consistently great reviews.” Speaking of cool hat tips, the company’s Cape May Saison, Tripel Wreck and Devil’s Reach brews all took home medals this week from the Beverage Testing Institute, bringing the brewery’s award count for 2015 up to 14.
For more info on everything from upcoming events, to CMBC’s sexy new glassware, to the complicated feat that is transporting a fermenter with two forklifts and a prayer, check out the Cape May Brew Co blog, Straight To The Pint; visit capemaybrewery.com; or better yet, stop in for a tour and tasting.
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Cricket Hill Introducing Bourbon Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout
Visit the 12 tap Tasting Room at Cricket Hill Brewery to enjoy year round, seasonal, small batch and Tasting Room exclusive brews. The weekend of June 4th-6th they are introducing their limited edition Bourbon Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout, 8.9ABV, 91 IBU. Like the BBA Imperial Porter and BBA Festivus before it, this full bodied beer has been aged in oak barrels that had Buffalo Trace Bourbon in them before they added the RIS. After 150 days of aging, this beer is smooth with notes of dark chocolate.
Cricket Hill is happy to report another batch of Jersey Devil Imperial Red Ale (7.4% ABV 66.6 IBU) was brewed on May 15th. Although this beer is not scheduled for release in 2015 until September, it has become one of the most popular beers at the Tasting Room. Should be mid-late June.
The Cricket Hill El Diablo limited release beer was a HUGE hit for the May 21st release weekend. This spicy version of Jersey Devil Imperial Red Ale is infused with roasted habanero peppers, 7.4 ABV, 66.6 IBU. While it quickly sold out, they are brewing another batch for later this summer!
To kick off the first weekend before summer, Cricket Hill is offering a special at the Tasting Room! Buy a case of Jersey Summer Breakfast Ale and get a Jersey Summer T-shirt for only $10!
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Flying Fish Releases Two Draft Summer Seasonals
Starting with the premiere at Philly Beer Week, Flying Fish has two draft summer seasonals out this month.
Brotherly Suds IV-Philly Pharmhouse
An annual collaboration between regional breweries including Yards, Victory, Iron Hill, Troegs, Sly Fox and more, Flying Fish was selected to brew this year’s version. A Philly take on a Belgian Farmhouse style ale, this crisp, refreshing offering provides aromas of spice and mustard. Flavors of golden wheat, salt and mustard seed. Kind of like a soft pretzel.
Gone Fish’n IPA
An American Style IPA. Aromatics of grapefruit and tropical fruits. Soft citrus notes lead to a herbal bitterness and clean finish from the Warrior, Citra, Azacca and Simcoe hops. A sessionable beer, but be careful, it comes at 7% ABV.
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Krogh’s Bringing on the Belgians
June and July bring Belgian beers to Krogh’s Restaurant & Brew Pub in picturesque Lake Mohawk! First is a Belgian Dubbel, a deep, reddish brown, moderately strong, malty, complex Belgian ale. This ale supports a large, dense and long-lasting creamy off-white head. Belgian Dubbels first originated at monasteries in the Middle Ages. Second is a Belgian Witt, an unfiltered Belgian wheat beer with hints of orange and coriander. This is a thirst-quenching, satisfyingly sweet summer beer. The term “wit” translates as “white,” which results from the cloudiness of this pale wheat-based beer. Find them at 23 White Deer Plaza in the heart of Sparta. Call ahead for specific availability at 973-729-8428 or go to their website.
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Ramstein Tour Offering Summer Bock
This Sunday, June 7th, the Ramstein Brewhaus will be open from noon to 5 PM as part of the finish line and post race party for the Gran Fondo Bike Race. The Race route starts at 7:30 AM and ends at the Ramstein Brewhaus located at 22 Park Place in Butler NJ, 07405. For event and parking details visit the Gran Fondo Website.
On Friday, June 12th, Ramstein Beer will be served at the Montclair Food and Wine Festival located at the Montclair Art Museum at 3 Mountain Ave. in Montclair. The event is from 7 PM – 9 PM. Tickets can be purchased online. More information regarding details on the event can be found on the Montclair Food and Wine Festival Website.
On Saturday, June 13th from 2 PM to 5 PM High Point will be hosting the tour and release of their Ramstein Summer Bock at the Ramstein Brewhaus located at 22 Park Place in Butler NJ, 07405. Ramstein Summer Bock is a rich blonde lager beer that has a lush malty flavor with a moderate noble hop overtone. The German Lager yeast provides a smooth long clean finish balancing its 7% ABV. It will be available on draft only at the Ramstein Brewhaus and other select locations. Greg Zaccardi, the owner of High Point Brewing Company, will also be giving the attending guests a tour of the Ramstein Brewhaus at approximately 3 PM. Admission to the Tour is free, and those 21 years and older will get a complementary sample of Rmastein Summer Bock.
On Sunday, June 28th from 6 PM to 9 PM Ramstein beer will be at the Brew at the Zoo event held at the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange. Enjoy up to 75 different craft brews, live entertainment, food vendors, and longer animal viewing hours! Tickets can be purchased online on the Turtle Back Zoo Website. Only guests ages 21 and over will be permitted at the event.
Keep up with upcoming event dates and other information on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts! Also, be sure to check out our newly revamped Ramstein Beer Website!
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Peach IPA in a Can from Spellbound
Spellbound Brewing plans to do a test run of peach IPA in cans as a brewery only exclusive by early July. Updates will be available on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Spellbound will also be testing a citra dry hopped pale ale (currently dry hopped with cascade) in June. Stay tuned on social media channels.
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Gaslight at South by South Orange Art & Music Festival
Upcoming June brews from Gaslight Brewery & Restaurant are Hopfest American Pale Ale, Solstice Cream Ale and Damian Belgian Tripel
On Saturday June 27 Gaslight will be at Brews at the Zoo at the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange. On Thursday, Friday & Saturday June 26, 27 & 28 look for Gaslight at the South by South Orange Art & Music Festival.
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New Tuckahoe Facility to Open this Summer
This week Tuckahoe Brewing is releasing Meadowbank, a non-traditional California Common-style beer. It is copper-colored and has pine and mint characteristics from multiple additions of Perle hops. They ferment Meadowbank with Caesar, their proprietary wild New Jersey yeast, creating a crisp, fruity flavor and a crystal-clear appearance.ABV: 4.9%; IBU: 30. Meadowbank is available exclusively at Sketties Italian Restaurant & Bar located in Marmora, NJ (across from Yesterday’s) and in the Tasting Room at the brewery all summer.
Tuckahoe Brewing is slated to be operational in their new facility in Egg Harbor Township by mid-summer. Look for updates on Facebook, Twitter, and their website to find out when the taproom will be open.
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Harvest Moon Doubles Down on Saisons
June will see the release of two saisons at the Harvest Moon: a saison with all American hops and a sour saison. The sour saison will be offered with a selection of rotating fruits. This month will also see the return of American Joe Schwarzbier, Kyle’s take on the traditional black German lager.
Harvest Moon continues to host their monthly cask night on the second Thursday of the month. June’s cask night will be held of 6/11 and offer their saison with pink peppercorns.
Funky Flavor Fridays will continue with a Green Apple Berliner on 6/5 and a Guava Berliner on 6/12. People are encouraged to check their website and social media for future offerings.
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Look for River Horse at Philly Beer Week and More
River Horse will be participating in several events outside the brewery this month, starting with Philly Beer Week at the beginning on June and America on Tap in Trenton, NJ on June 6th. There will be representation at Lehigh Valley Hopsfest June 13th and Wildwood Beer Fest the 13th-14th. There is a Tap Takeover at the Green Growler at Croton on Hudson the 19th, Brews and Bites at Pennsbury Manor the 20th, Lansdale Beer Fest the 26th-27th, plus Brew at the Zoo at the Turtleback Zoo and the Garden State Craft Brewer’s Guild Beer Festival on the Battleship NJ both on June 27th. July is sure to fill up with more exciting events, with the Philadelphia Zoo’s Summer Ale Fest July 27th on the list so far.
Additional information about all of our events, as well as new beers and tours, can be found on our website. Regular tours run every Saturday and Sunday, and the gift shop is open for merchandise and take out beer Friday through Sunday, 12-5pm. Stop by the retail store for some River Horse swag, including glassware, apparel, other merchandise, and gift cards.
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Find Flounder at Fests
Flounder Brewing is spending June outside! Visit them on 6/21 at the Somerville Craft Beer Fest in Sommerville, NJ, or at the USS New Jersey on 6/27 at the Garden State Craft Brewer’s Guild fest! They have also been busy so far in June brewing our new IPA that will become available in July.
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Little Dog Puts Best Facade Forward
Little Dog Brewing Company in Neptune City was recently awarded a Grow Monmouth Facade Improvement Grant from the county. The grant money was used for the installation of a new awning.
Little Dog, located just blocks from the Atlantic Ocean, is gearing up for summer at the Jersey Shore with expanded hours: 4-7 p.m. Fridays, 1-6 p.m. Saturdays, and Sunday hours TBA beginning Father’s Day. No reservations needed; large groups please call ahead.
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Spend a Firkin Friday with Pinelands
Pinelands Brewing Company is open every Sunday in the summer from 2-6pm. On Friday, June 12th they will have Firkin Friday with a Mango Pitch Pine Ale firkin (4:30 tapping). On Friday, June 19th join them for Firkin Friday with Citrafied Pitch Pine firkin (4:30 tapping)
Upcoming Pinelands events:
- Saturday, June 13th: AC Boardwalk Beer Fest (Bally’s Atlantic City) 2 sessions (12-4 & 5-9)
- Saturday, June 13th and Sun June 14th: Wildwood Beer Fest
- Saturday, June 20th: Baymens Festival at Tuckerton Seaport