The Six Best Upcoming Events at Cape May County Breweries

September 11, 2024
4:46 am

Even though the 2024 Summer Season is over, the South Jersey events schedule is still busy in September. The time of year that South Jersey year-round residents call “Locals Summer” features many fun activities to enjoy around the area.

While Shore Towns such as Sea Isle City are hosting festivals this weekend, several South Jersey Craft Breweries are hosting their own events. Just in Cape May County, there are 11 Craft Breweries and half of them are hosting special events and festivals the weekend of September 13th through September 15th.

Here are some of the best events for you to check out this weekend at Cape May County Craft Breweries:

*MudHen Oktoberfest Beer Festival (Friday, September 13th through Sunday, September 15th)

Located on Rio Grande Avenue in Wildwood, MudHen Brewing Company will be serving great beer and food all weekend with live entertainment on site. Attendees are invited to try MudHen’s Marzhen Lager along with other special Oktoberfest steins.

The MudHen Kitchen will be serving a special Oktoberfest Menu all weekend long with classic German dishes and fall seasonal foods. The weekend live entertainment schedule for the MudHen Oktoberfest:

-Friday, September 13th:
Philly German Brass Band (5 pm to 9 pm)
-Saturday, September 14th:
Doppelganger (5 pm to 9 pm)
-Sunday, September 15th:
Doppelganger (2 pm to 6 pm)

*Okto-BEHR-fest (Friday, September 13th through Sunday, September 15th)

Along with debuting their new brew “Behrfest”, Behr Brewing Company will have food trucks and entertainment all weekend. There will be an officially sanctioned United States Steinholding Competition at 5 pm on Saturday along with live music from Brian O’Neill performing from 4 pm to 7 pm.

Wee Heavy Wilson – 2024 World Beer Cup Gold Award Winner!

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December 20, 2024

On Sunday will feature a Musicfest starting at 6 pm. Scheduled to perform at Behr Brewing Company on Seashore Road in Lower Township is Pocket Vinyl, Cult Tides, and Second Half Comeback. Also, the Food Truck The Patriot will be on site both Saturday and Sunday.

*The 2024 Tour de Tuckahoe Gravel Grinder (Saturday, September 14th)

This year’s biking event routes with start and end at Ludlam Island Brewery and Craft Kitchen. Located on Dennisville-Petersburg Road, the new Ludlam Island Brewery location has plenty of parking for participants in this event open to all bicyclists.

Registration check-in will be 7 am to 845 am at Ludlam Island Brewery with the Tour de Tuckahoe Gravel Grinder ride starting at 9 am. The first 100 riders who pre-register for both the short and long courses will receive a free Tuckahoe Gravel Grinder pint glass.

All participants are invited to the afterparty at Ludlam Island Brewery after they finish their bike ride. You can visit their website here for more information on this year’s event.

*Meyers Lighthouse Boil and Brews (Friday, September 13th)

Located on Route 9 a quarter mile north of the Super Wawa in Ocean View, Meyers Lighthouse Brewing is the newest Craft Brewery in Cape May County. Partnering with Topsail Steamer, Meyers is hosting a Boil and Brews event.

Starting at 4 pm on Friday, September 13th, you can order three unique offerings from Topsail Steamers to pair with your favorite craft beers at Meyers Lighthouse: Topsail Turtle (Shrimp, Sausage), Sea Isle Steamers (Snow Crab, Shrimp, Clams), and Exit 6 (Snow Crab, Shrimp, Sausage). All will be served with Red Potatoes and Corn plus your choice of Meyers Lighthouse Craft Brews.

*Cornhole and Football Sunday Funday (Sunday, September 15th)

Located on Indian Trail Road in Middle Township, Whale Tale Brewing Company is hosting a unique Sunday Funday. Along with a Cornhole Tournament from 12 pm to 4 pm, their tasting room will have the NFL Sunday games on the TVs.

Also, Nonna’s Pizza Kitchen will be serving Pizza starting at 1 pm so you can enjoy your Craft Beer, Pizza, Football, and Cornhole all in one place.

To learn more about the 11 Craft Breweries in Cape May County, I have visited each one over the last couple of years. Here is what you need to know about some of the best craft brews in South Jersey:

Learn about Cape May County's 11 Craft Breweries (Alphabetical Order)

Cape May County is home to some of the best breweries that South Jersey has to offer. I set out to visit each one, try their brews, and get a “lay of the land” of what the southernmost county in New Jersey has to offer to Craft Beer enthusiasts and Fans.

Angelsea Aleworks in Wildwood

One of the youngest breweries in Cape May County is located in Wildwood behind the Bowling Alley on New Jersey Avenue between Schellenger and Oak Avenues. Co-owners Mike, Tracey, and Bill spent two years trying to find the right location to launch their unique style of Brewery and when you walk into the establishment you know they made the right choice! The tasting room has a great vibe with seating options at a long bar along with high tops and along-the-wall countertop seating too. The diversified beer list shows they really want to deliver to South Jersey something different than you will find at other local breweries.

Also, Nonna’s Pizza Kitchen will be serving Pizza starting at 1 pm so you can enjoy your Craft Beer, Pizza, Football, and Cornhole all in one place.

To learn more about the 11 Craft Breweries in Cape May County, I have visited each one over the last couple of years. Here is what you need to know about some of the best craft brews in South Jersey:

My favorite brews at Angelsea Aleworks are:

*PBA IPA: It’s only appropriate that a brewery that is underneath a bowling alley has a brew called “PBA” (Professional Bowlers Association) and this option hits the right balance between Crisp IPA plus South Jersey Style Craft Beer. The Dry Hops are clean and tasteful making this a refreshing beer that can be enjoyed year-round.

*SeaPig Pale Ale:This refreshing and light Ale has the body of a mainstream beer but the flavors of a great Craft Beer. Stone Fruit tones and scents of Pine make me think about drinking this on the back porch after a long day.

*Wah-Wah-Watch Butterscotch:This variation of an Amber Stout is an incredibly smooth brew with the right balance of Butterscotch sweetness and Belgian Ale style hops taste. This is a great beer for those who like have something that is less bitter and wants something to drink next to the fireplace or bonfire with friends.

*Haze Mat IPA: Seems like every South Jersey Brewery with a good Beer List has their own Hazy IPA and Angelsea Aleworks offers their own interpretation. This combination of Dank Hops and Citrus Flavors makes this a great option for those who love IPAs and Citra based brews.

Behr Brewing

Opened early in February of 2022, Behr Brewing has already established itself as one of the best list of brews in South Jersey. Located on Seashore Road across from Church’s Nursery in Lower Township, the Tasting Room is set up more like a spacious bar and hang-out area than a traditional brewery.

They also have picnic benches and seating outside behind the tasting room for those who want to get fresh air and/or play cornhole. Once you decide on what area you want to drink at, you will see that the drafts on tap are an impressive variety for a brewery offering something for everyone. A friendly staff and owners on-site are apart of a great experience for anyone looking to visit. Plus their flights are generous offerings of each beer so I recommend getting a flight before you settle on a pint to drink.

Behr Brewery On-Tap List

My favorite brews at Behr Brewing are:

*Two Two IPA – One of the newer brews at Behr is another winner with great balance between a Hazy and Classic Imperial styles. With clean and bold hops, this is a drinkable beer for any occasion.

*When Life Gives You Lemons Shandy – When most people think of a Shandy, they think of summer and this is the perfect brew for summertime vibes. One of the best Shandy beers I’ve ever had, this is an incredibly crisp and clean brew with a nice balance of lemons that will not overwhelm your tastebuds.

*One of Those IPA – This is Behr’s staple IPA and for a brewery that just opened in 2022, this is a great starting point. If you like a good IPA that has balance and consistency, this brew is for you.

*BlueBehry – In a world where everyone wants to make a beer with fruit flavors, not everyone is as successful as Behr with this Pale Ale Wheat Beer. Because blueberry is not an overtly sweet fruit, this is a great taste to blend with vanilla and you get a “best of both worlds” brew that any craft beer drinker can enjoy.

Bucket Brigade Brewing

Located on Route Nine in the heart of Cape May Court House, you will find a blend of Cape May County history and Moedern Microbrewery. The building is a former auto parts and the Bucket Brigade owners kept some of the location’s history for visitors to checkout. Multiple years the winners of different awards for their brews, Bucket Brigade Brewery has cultivated a loyal customer base that keeps coming back for more and is very loyal in their support for the business that was founded in 2016.

The patriotic vibe is in place thanks to the founders who are firemen and the tasting room reflects who they are as men plus their passion for craft beers. A spacious tasting room with a couple of TVs helps differentiate this brewery from others in Cape May County.

*My favorite brews from my most recent visit to Bucket Brigade Brewery are:

-Full Throttle: This New England-style Hazy IPA features El Dorado and Mosiac hops. The subtle notes of different citrus give this brew a delightfully juicy taste for IPA fans.

-Drunkin Pumpkin: If you are a fan of pumpkin or fall seasonal beers, then you have to try this unique brew made with real pumpkin puree and vanilla extract.

-Triple Overhead: Made with 4 different hops (Mosiac, Citra, Galaxy, and Azacca), this Triple IPA has a plethora of citrus notes balanced with the classic hops of a Hazy Craft Beer.

Cape May Brewing Company

Typically the first name many people think of when discussing South Jersey local breweries is the Cape May County original. Founded in 2011, Cape May Brewing Company has become one of the go-to’s for many locals and vacationers.

The tasting room is located off Breakwater Road in the heart of Lower Township. They are about 10 minutes drive from both Cape May and Wildwood. Cape May Brewing Company offers a spacious tasting room with indoor and outdoor seating available.

I would recommend the outdoor seating for the Summer and Fall months, then the indoor seating for the Winter and Spring months.

Cape May Brewing On-Tap

My favorite brews at Cape May Brewing are:

*Coastal Evacuation Imperial Double IPA: This is a must-have for those who love IPA beers, a strong base of hops this brew stays true to the refreshing finish that Cape May Brewing Company is known for but does not comprimise being a true IPA in taste.

*Cape May Gold: This easy-drinking Golden Ale reminds me of those classic mainstream “summer beers” we all associate with a day at the beach. This refreshing beer is crisp and a must have for those who enjoy the less heavy types of craft beer.

*Honey Porter: This is one of the most smooth and drinkable Porters that is available in South Jersey. With a great combination of Malt and Honey, this brew hits the taste buds and makes me want to drink some more.

*The Grove Citrus Shandy: Featuring crisp citrus flavors blended with some simple hops that taste as if it has freshly squeezed juice into this brew. This is my favorite seasonal brew produced yearly at Cape May Brewing Company.

Cold Spring Brewery

The first non-profit Brewery in New Jersey, Cold Spring Brewery has the most unique setting and backdrop of any of the Cape May County breweries. Located at Cold Spring Village, this Brewery off Seashore Road in North Cape May is inside an 1804 three-bay English-style barn originally from Upper Township.

When you walk inside, you experience an incredible blend of the tradition at Cold Spring Village with the modern age of Microbreweries. Even though Cold Spring Village is only open half the year, the brewery is open year-round for you to experience a slice of Cold Spring Village while tasting some great brews.

There is an impressive variety of beers on tap and nothing I tried was poor or disappointing. The tasting room layout is a classy environment and there is plenty of seating for customers.

Cold Spring Brewery On-Tap

My favorite brews at Cold Spring Brewery are:

*Ishmael Pale Ale – This is a great balance between a true Ale and a classic IPA, this Pale Ale has a great consistency plus a refreshing finish with hints of grapefruit. This is one of the best Pale Ales in Cape May County.

*52381 New England Hazy IPA – Don’t like this name overwhelm you because this is brew is both crisp and juicy in taste. This beer is a great blend of the hops from a traditional New England IPA with the fresh fruit accents of a Hazy IPA.

*Stillwell Imperial Stout– While Stouts are typically a winter go-to for many beer drinkers, this brew is smooth and can be a beer to drink year-round. This stout is not heavy, instead this is a pleasant and easy to drink beer with a crisp after-taste.

*Eli Foster’s Fruited Ale – This German-style Ale is made cold and is a great on-tap brew that is both refreshing and smooth. With hints of passion fruit, this brew is one of the best on-tap at Cold Spring Brewery.

*Finley Forge IPA– This fusion of West Coast and New England IPA styles of brew, this is a must-drink for anyone who enjoys IPAs. When you drink this, you taste the great balance between hops and malt that will leave you wanting to have more.

Gusto Brewing Company

Anyone over the age of 30 years old who lived or spent time in southern Cape May County will remember the old Bayshore 8 Theater on the road to the Cape May-Lewis Ferry. Almost a decade after the movie theater closed, Gusto Brewing Company opened thanks to owners Zack and Adrianna Pashley along with their friend/Head Brewer Dan Patela.

Despite being open for just a few years, Gusto has already established itself as a go-to brewery for many locals in the Cape May area thanks to their strong beer options and fun environment in the tasting room.

Their catchphrase “Something Small + Something Weird” speaks to their unique brew options made by a small operation. When I was there on a Saturday afternoon, it was obvious there is pride that the workers and brewmaster for the quality and variety of beer options at Gusto.

The quality and variety at Gusto Brewing Company is great while their tasting room has a fun vibe.

Gusto Brewing On-Tap

My favorite brews at Gusto Brewing Company are:

*Noble Thief Pale Ale – Made with hops from Michigan, this Pale Ale has soft citrus tones in a refreshing beer that will leave you wanting more and perhaps even buy some to bring home with you.*Available Light.

*Vacation from Ourselves – This crisp lager has a distinct lime taste that makes this a great year round beer but definitely makes me think of summertime. This refreshing brew would be great on a hot summer afternoon

*The Far Unlit Unkown– This is a prime example of the creativity at Gusto with this unique Triple India Pale Ale style brew. There are so many subtle flavors in this beer made with Citra Hops that features honey malt and hints of tangerine on the taste buds.

*Meep – A Session IPA brewed with Mosiac and Simcoe Hops along with flaked wheat, this is one of my favorite craft beers Gusto has ever produced. The soft flavors of citrus combines with the pine notes make this one of the most delightful craft beers to be found in South Jersey

Ludlam Island Brewery

Founded in 2016 and formerly located off Route 550 in Ocean View, this Brewery offers a variety of beers from crisp IPAs to smooth Lagers to pleasant Stouts. Moving into their new location on Dennisville-Petersburg Road in Woodbine, Ludlam Island Brewery re-opened in May 2024. Ludlam Island really does have something for everyone and one of my favorite aspects of this brewery is there is always something new to try on tap! The owner Billy Topley has worked in the restaurant industry his entire life before starting the brewery. He brings that professional background into making his brewery a great environment to hang out and have beers. The unique name is from the history of Sea Isle City, which was originally the barrier island known as “Ludlam” before Charles Landis helped settle the island in the 1880’s.

Inside the new Ludlam Island Brewery

Inside the new location, visitors will find that Ludlam Island Brewery has a long bar and restaurant style seating area. Now serving food and craft beer, Ludlam offers plenty of space for their customers to enjoy everything on tap.
My favorite brews at Ludlam Island are:

*Fish Alley IPA: This is not your everyday IPA because this lacks the traditional bitterness which makes the citrus accents combined with the defined hops very enjoyable. This beer goes down smooth making it a go-to at Ludlam Island Brewery.

*Bay Muck Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Brown Ale: – Whether you enjoy layered flavors with your craft brew or just like those types of cookies, this beer is delicious. The flavors of oatmeal raisin are distinct but not overwhelming, the cinnamon provides a delightful finish as you drink this craft beer.

*Beach Bound Kölsch– This is Ludlam’s “House Beer” and it is easily one of their most drinkable brews. With more volume and body than your average Kolsch beer, this brew is a smooth drink and goes down easy. If you love beer, this is a must-have.

Meyers Lighthouse Brewery

The newest Craft Brewery in Cape May County is located a quarter mile north of the Super Wawa on Route 9 in Ocean View. Meyers combines Craft Brews with mini-golf and a laid back atmosphere with a tap list offering something for everyone.

Inside Meyers Lighthouse Brewing Tasting Room

Even though Meyers Lighthouse Brewing is less than a year old, they have a diverse list of quality craft beers on tap. Here are my two favorites from my most recent visit:

*Ocean View – This Hazy New England Style IPA is full-body craft beer in well-balanced hops. The flavor profile is of citrus and hops which makes this an enjoyable craft beer to drink.

*Beach Ball – An American-style Pale Ale featuring a light citrus flavor and clean hops. If you are looking for a lighter craft beer to enjoy, then you should definitely try this brew.

Mudhen Brewing Company

The only brewery on the Cape May County islands is located on the main boulevard entering the heart of Wildwood. On Rio Grande Avenue is Mudhen Brewing Company featuring an environment that is uniquely Wildwood with some German Style Brewhaus influence. What makes Mudhen different than other breweries in the area is they are also a restaurant; Their menu reflects the traditional food options of the quality establishments in the area. Their owners Brendan and Robin Sciarra along with Brew Master Tony Cunha all have experience in the Hospitality and Restaurant industry, so everything about this brewery and restaurant reflects high quality with their wall full of beers on tap. This establishment is much bigger once you get inside than you would expect walking or driving by. With numerous areas to eat and drink at, Mudhen taking the Wildwood restaurant experience to the next level with its extensive list of in-house beers.

Mudhen Brewing On-Tap plus dinner

My favorite brews at Mudhen Brewing Company are:

*Mudhen Pale Ale – This beer is a great blend of malt and hops with the classic Irish style to it with great balance plus is very good paired with dinner.

*1883 IPA – There’s a lot going on with this brew so you have to drink it slowly so you don’t miss out on the subtle pine accents, the different citrus flavors mixing with the hops, and then the smooth, but dry finish as you drink it down. Many layers to this beer.

*Mudhen Pilsner – One of the lightest and clean Pilsners in Cape May County can be found at Mudhen, thanks to its hops lightly flavoring this crisp beer that will keep you coming back for more.

Slack Tide Brewing Company

The “Gold Standard” of Craft Brews in Cape May County is now at a new location on Route Nine South in Dennis Township. Founded in 2015, Slack Tide has grown in popularity and you can find some of its beers at local bars in Cape May County.

At their tasting room, you can sample a variety of different brews and never be disappointed by anything on their tap. The new location allows customers to consume beers inside their spacious tasting room or outside in a yard with table and chairs like at a park

Some of my favorites at Slack Tide Includes:

*Angry Osprey IPA – One of the best IPAs in all of South Jersey is made at Slack Tide Brewery thanks to all the flavors crammed into this beer. The dry hops are balanced with a defined citrus flavor and then layered with a hint of spice in a smooth brew that will make you reconsider drinking anything else.

*Dry Dock White Stout– This is brew is great for all beer lovers looking for a new smooth drink. This White Stout is almost like a desert in a glass with caramel and coffee flavors with subtle chocolate notes, and may be one of the best beers that Slack Tide has ever brewed.

*The Ridge IPA – Another amalgamation beer, combining the intense hops of a New England IPA with the crisp Citrus accents of a Hazy IPA, this beer is very refreshing and goes down smooth.

*Schoolie American – This beer is classic Pale Ale meets Hazy IPA thanks to its subtle tropical flavors and vibrant hops. The flavors almost bounce in your mouth and the finish is refreshing.

Whale Tale Brewing Company

Located on Indian Trail Road in Middle Township, Whale Tale Brewing is located across the street from Home Depot. Formerly COHO Brewing and under new ownership since late 2023, Whale Tale has overhauled their craft beer list offering many fun and unique brew options.

Inside Whale Tale Brewing Tap Room

With around 20 Craft Beers on tap, there are so many options at Whale Tale that it was difficult to narrow the list of my favorites down to just these three:

*Cape Haze– This New England-style Hazy IPA has a great balance of Cascade, Mosiac, and Citra Hops. The citrus and tropical notes along with subtle pine scent make this a delight to drink.

*Lite House Lite – Arguably one of the best Craft Pilsners in South Jersey, this craft beer is crisp and easy to drink.

*Cherries and Berries– If you enjoy flavorful but mild sour brews, then you will love this craft beer. Featuring an abundance of Cherry and Raspberry flavors, this delicious craft brew is a great option for anyone who enjoys fruit-based beers.

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