Multiple venues serving award-winning suds around county
There are thousands of licensed craft breweries in the U.S., and New Jersey is home to more than 100 of them. Cape May County, the state’s most southern, has some of the best.
For the beer scene at the southern New Jersey shore, all roads lead to Cape May Brewery (409 Breakwater Road in the Erma section of Lower Township).
In 2011, a group of college chums returned home to the cape, saw a proliferation of wineries and questioned where the beer was.
They decided then and there that it was up to them to put New Jersey on the craft-brewing map. Their signature Cape May IPA (a slightly bitter, zesty West Coast IPA), Coastal Evacuation (double IPA with enough hops to double the pleasure) and Orange Crushin’ It (a perfect blend of orange juice and American IPA) have taken the state by storm.
For beverage tourists looking to imbibe with local beer enthusiasts, a visit to Cape May Brewery’s tasting room is a must. With 25 offerings currently on tap, there is a beer for everyone.
Light, crisp and refreshing, Cape May Gold is a straightforward ale that is perfect for a day at the beach or an afternoon just swinging on a hammock.
Alternatively, Ties the Room Together is an adventurous White Russian-inspired imperial stout. It tastes like a liquified s’more with butterscotch, cream and a cherry on top. This might be the most deliciously innovative beer ever made.
In the north part of the cape is Slack Tide Brewing Co. (1879 Route 9, Dennis Township), founded by brothers Jason and Tadhg Campbell. Their serious brewing started in a one-car garage.
In 2015, their barley operation went pro and moved to a warehouse with a spacious outdoor patio and yard, where they produce and pour an abundance of high-quality beers.
The brothers have mastered the IPA. Slack Tide’s best seller is the award-winning Angry Osprey (a classic hop-forward, citrus-back American IPA). On the lighter side is the Sand Spike (a sweet seaside session IPA that drinks well with local salts, Old Bay-spiced crabs or simply pretzels).
On the heavier side is the Knockdown (a smooth and strong must-try Black IPA that says “Hello, I’m here.”). It pairs best with end-of-meal bites, such as savory cheeses or dessert confections.
Speaking of sweets, the coffee milk stout Manatee Milk (Count Chocula meets Juan Valdez) and the porter Portly Mermaid (Fudgy the Whale goes malty) would make outstanding final courses on their own.
Jason Campbell says that although he cares for all of his beers like children, he is most proud of the award-winning Avalon Amber (an easy-drinking red ale with a caramel, biscuit-like flavor), which can be sampled along with Slack Tide’s other 23 beers currently on tap in their tasting room.
Going toward the ocean, at the ingress of Wildwood, is MudHen Brewery at 127 W. Rio Grande Ave., a provider of all things hospitality.
Brewmaster Tony Cunha makes a variety of beers to pair with the restaurant’s extensive menu. The wide range includes the popular OG (golden in color, smoky and zesty in taste, it is a superb summer ale).
Other highlights on tap are 1883 (a quintessential IPA, deep gold in color, hoppy and full-bodied, it matches well with a burger), Captain Doug’s Porter (like sipping an iced cappuccino, with a salty chocolate biscotti) and Something Sour (sherbet in color with a mixed berry taste, it is the sunny side of beer, and goes surprisingly well with buffalo wings).
All in all, Cunha is most proud of the award-winning Wee Heavy Wilson, a scotch ale aged in a whiskey barrel for a year, rendering a prominent smoky smoothness that merges with a malted milk mini punch.
At the southern tip of New Jersey, between Exit 0 and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal, is Gusto Brewing Co. (3860 Bayshore Road, North Cape May).
Along with its best-selling lagers, sours and IPAs is its singular mission: to cultivate something truly unique, give like crazy and whip up really swell beers.
Perhaps most unique is head brewer Dan Petela’s mastery of English Bitters. Currently on tap is the Extra Special Bitter, Cool Hand Lucas (dark amber in color, it bursts like sunshine in the mouth, then leaves a taste evoking orange marmalade on toast).
Another offering is the Best Bitter, Real Fake Doors (caramel in color, it is pillowy and supple in body and nutty in taste. It goes well with almost any bounty coming off an outdoor grill).
Porters are also part a his forte. Little Spoon is mild and complex, with luscious tidbits of chocolate milk, oatmeal and maple syrup dancing on the palate.
With trivia Wednesdays, karaoke Fridays, book club nights and special events ranging from a Star Wars Celebration to Weird Al Yankovic’s birthday, most every night at Gusto is festive and stimulating. Gusto operates on two themes, “Keep it Weird” and “Stay Local.”
Although southern New Jersey shore breweries thrive on being accessible to everybody, what is most distinctive is their dedication to community.
Their tasting rooms are open year-round. Among the brewers there is a passion and true camaraderie, as exemplified by the annual Miniature Golf Tournament of Brewers. They share a belief that all ships rise with the tide.
By MARC JOHNSON/For the Star and Wave
