Jersey Fresh Pours: Your Guide to Breweries Down the Shore
MudHen’s outdoor bar / Photograph by Jeff Fusco
What could be more refreshing than feeling a light sea spray on your skin after a long day in the sand and sun? How about that mist with a cold beer? Coastal brewers along the New Jersey shoreline are alchemists transforming perfect beach days into citrusy crushers, fruit-forward sours, and ales made from pristine water sourced from an aquifer under the Jersey Pinelands. Here’s everything you need to know about breweries down the Shore.
The Best Breweries at the Jersey Shore
A flight of beer at Slack Tide Brewing Co. / Photograph by Jeff Fusco
These taprooms and brewpubs are destinations where you can catch live music, get a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing magic, or snuggle up by a fire pit with a porter that tastes like s’mores. So belly up to the bar, get a fresh pour, and don’t forget to grab a six-pack for the beach house. Keep reading …
Mind Your Manners
Everything you need to know about beach-brewery etiquette
Image via Getty Images
Beach vacations are all about cutting loose and embracing the five-o’clock-somewhere spirit. But when the vibes are a bit lax, the rules of etiquette, especially when visiting a brewery, are as hazy as a New England-style IPA. Do you let the kids tag along? Do you bring the dog? Is it appropriate to roll in with flip-flops and a swimsuit?
Ryan Krill, co-owner and CEO of Cape May Brewing Co., says it all comes down to being a good neighbor. “Just be mindful of the environment and those around you trying to enjoy their experience,” he says.
Not all taprooms can accommodate your children and/or pets, so if you’re unsure, Krill says, check in with the brewery ahead of time. Cape May Brewing does welcome furry friends but only in the designated outdoor areas, where they should be kept close and on a leash. Kids are welcome too — just be sure not to let them wander. “There’s a lot of sensitive equipment and little nooks and crannies for kids to get into, which could be unsafe,” Krill says.
As for attire — well, this is the beach. At Cape May Brewing, swimsuits with cover-ups and flip-flops are encouraged. It’s a coastal brewery, notes Krill, and people are always coming in right from the beach, smelling like sunblock with sand on their ankles. Just be sure to wear closed-toe shoes if you plan on taking the self-guided brewery tour — a safety precaution for anyone going into a processing facility. Overall, respect the brewery and respect one another — otherwise, you’ll kill the buzz. — K.L.P.
Summer Sipping
Expert-approved beers for beach days and balcony nights
Illustration via Getty Images
While some people still sip heavy, boozy stouts all summer long (oh, just me?), lighter beers become the beverage of choice for most shoregoers during the hot, sticky season. So how do you stock your fridge for those blazing days at the beach and breezy evenings on the balcony? My 20-year journey through the frothy world of beer as a writer, author, and educator has led me to a few key principles for beachside refreshment.
Choose beers that range from light to medium body and contain less than around seven percent alcohol by volume — they won’t fill you up or get you drunk as fast. Paler beers typically present fewer warm, roasty flavors, so while you might lean into a brown ale or porter for nighttime, consider choosing a color between golden and copper — like a pilsner or a wheat beer — during sunlight hours. When you need to scratch your hop itch, stick to beers with low bitterness and a fruity profile, like a pale ale or hazy IPA.
Not only will these beers suit the temperature, like a crisp white wine, they’ll generally pair better with the salads and seafood you may be eating with them. — T.N.
BYOF: Bring Your Own Food
Where to order takeout when snacks aren’t on the menu
In New Jersey, there are two kinds of breweries where you can enjoy a fresh, cold beer: brewpubs and taprooms. The difference? According to state laws, brewpubs can serve food, but taprooms can’t. You can, however, bring food to a taproom, and according to local brewers, there are a lot of delicious places to choose from.
Matt Helm, managing member, Hidden Sands Brewing Company:
“Our favorite spots are Carluccio’s Coal Fired Pizza, Molly’s Kitchen, and Chico & Sons. We see a lot of grandma’s pies from Carluccio’s at Hidden Sands. I prefer the Tuna Crunch from Chico & Sons.”
Zachary Pashley, owner and founder, Gusto Brewing Company:
“What am I pairing with our refreshing crushers? Without a doubt: al pastor burrito or rice bowl from El Pueblo Taqueria, right here in North Cape May. The combo is divine.”
Tracy Verch, co-owner, Anglesea Aleworks:
“We encourage people to bring food in, especially pizzas from the boardwalk. The two big ones are Sam’s Pizza Palace and Mack’s Pizza.”
Sean Towers, co-founder, the Seed:
“We are particularly fond of pointing folks towards Squares & Fares in Somers Point and Tony Boloney’s and Pancho’s in Atlantic City for pizza and taco takeout, respectively.”
Ryan Krill, co-owner and CEO, Cape May Brewing Co.:
“My favorite thing to get at The Lobster House is the broiled seafood combo, which has a nice beautiful mix of seafood — just scallops, a crabcake, flounder, and shrimp — and I pair that with Cape May Light. It’s so good.”
Published as “Jersey Fresh Pours” in the June 2025 issue of Philadelphia magazine.