2018: The New Year in New Jersey Beer

Originally posted on Jersey Bites
by Peter Culos

Craft beer drinkers are a curious bunch and the world of craft beer is all about what’s coming up next. New Jersey Craft Beer lists 82 operating breweries in New Jersey and another 23 in the start-up phase. Here’s a look at a few start-ups that expect to help enrich the New Jersey craft beer scene in 2018.

MudHen Brewing Company, Wildwood

While we’re on the subject of firsts, Wildwood will be getting its first brewpub in March. MudHen Brewing Company is named for the late 19th century train that chugged precariously through the salt march from Cape May to Wildwood. The 15bbl brew house will be manned by Wildwood native Tony Cunha, while the smokehouse-inspired menu was developed by Chef Brian Duffy, who you may recognize from the Food Network. That menu will be complemented by MudHen’s signature IPA, a light American pilsner, a unique refreshing wheat beer, something on the dark side and possibly the occasional lager, pale ale and DIPA.

Russ Simmons, MudHen’s marketing manager, describes the restaurant as “twenty-five hundred square feet of restaurant showcasing the brew tanks from every angle behind the 40-foot-long full-service bar. [There’s also] a modern second level tasting room with lounge areas, and a fireplace and tables overlooking the restaurant, as well as a second bar leading to a well manicured outside patio with plenty more open air seating and fire pit.” Sounds like the perfect place to enjoy a beer and a bite this summer!