LONG BEACH ISLAND — Ship Bottom Brewery, a Long Beach Island staple celebrated for its inventive, beach-inspired craft beers, is set to host its annual Chili Cook-Off this Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The event will run simultaneously at the brewery’s main Beach Haven, NJ, location and its Blendery & Barrel House in Swarthmore, PA, promising a full afternoon of fiery flavors, lively competition, and family-friendly brewery vibes.
The Chili Cook-Off invites both seasoned chili chefs and casual cooks to compete for top honors. Entrants are asked to bring four to six quarts of homemade chili in a crock pot, keeping their creations warm and ready for sampling. Registration requires a $10 entry fee, and the brewery provides all utensils, serving cups, napkins, and access to electricity for each crock pot. Judges and attendees alike will taste and score each entry, with awards presented to the top three chili-makers, ensuring that culinary creativity and crowd-pleasing appeal are equally rewarded. Participants are encouraged to arrive slightly early to set up their stations and prepare for the 2:00 PM kickoff.
For attendees who prefer to taste rather than cook, the Chili Cook-Off offers an inviting experience full of local craft beer, live music, and a community-driven atmosphere. Guests can sample a variety of chilis while enjoying Ship Bottom Brewery’s wide range of seasonal brews, pairing spicy bites with beers that span from light and crisp lagers to robust, full-bodied ales. The event is designed to be a social gathering for families and beer enthusiasts alike, highlighting the brewery’s role as a vibrant hub of both culinary creativity and local culture.
Ship Bottom Brewery’s Beach Haven location serves as the cornerstone of the LBI brewing experience. Located on the second floor of Bay Village at 830 N Bay Avenue, the 15-barrel production brewery features sweeping bay views and a tasting room open year-round. The brewery’s current draft lineup as of January 14, 2026, reflects the range and experimentation for which it is known. Featured beers include the tart and fruity Off Season Sour (6.5% ABV) with blackberries and raspberries, the hop-forward Hop & Hazy New England IPA (6% ABV), and the award-winning Mexican Stout (9% ABV), brewed with Mexican coffee, chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla beans, ancho, and chipotle peppers for a layered winter flavor. Other standout pours include Retro Fish Hazy DIPA (7.5% ABV), The Shack IPA (6% ABV) honoring a local LBI landmark, Mermaid Blonde Ale (5% ABV), and the winter-ready Abominable Snow Monster Ale (10% ABV), a Belgian strong dark ale brewed with honey, figs, and cherries. Lighter options such as Uncharted Waters #01 (2.5% ABV) and Grazie Pilsner (4.3% ABV) provide refreshing balance, while the brewery’s Hard Seltzer Infusion (6% ABV) offers a modern alternative. For convenience, many of these selections are also available in cans for take-home enjoyment or on-site pouring.
Ship Bottom Brewery’s diverse offerings extend beyond traditional beer styles, reflecting its reputation for blending local inspiration, bold experimentation, and approachable flavors. The brewery’s unique lineup includes the Chicken or the Egg IPA, brewed with hot wing sauce from a popular LBI restaurant, and a Mexican Cerveza incorporating salt harvested from Barnegat Bay, each beer tying the flavors of the Jersey Shore into every sip. Seasonal specials and ongoing innovations make each visit a new experience, whether for locals or tourists seeking a taste of Long Beach Island’s craft scene.
The annual Chili Cook-Off exemplifies the brewery’s commitment to community engagement, positioning Ship Bottom Brewery as more than a production facility. Its tasting rooms and events foster social connection, culinary creativity, and a celebratory atmosphere where both craft beer and good food bring people together. For those interested in exploring New Jersey’s broader bar culture and craft beer experiences, additional insights can be found in Explore New Jersey’s guide to bars and nightlife, highlighting opportunities to discover unique beverages, events, and local favorites across the state.
As winter continues on Long Beach Island, Ship Bottom Brewery provides a destination where warmth, flavor, and creativity converge. The Chili Cook-Off promises a festive afternoon of friendly competition, fiery flavors, and expertly crafted beers, ensuring that attendees leave with both full bellies and a deeper appreciation for the island’s vibrant craft beverage scene. With a combination of signature brews, seasonal experimentation, and community events, Ship Bottom Brewery continues to solidify its role as a must-visit destination for anyone seeking the best of LBI’s beer culture and coastal hospitality.
Here is the current draft list for the Ship Bottom Brewery location in Beach Haven, NJ, as of January 14, 2026. You can find more details and prices on their website menu or the Untappd menu.
- Off Season Sour (6.5% ABV): A fruited sour ale jam-packed with blackberries, raspberries, and conditioned on vanilla beans.
- Hop & Hazy (6% ABV): A New England Hazy IPA with flavors and aromas of juicy citrus fruits and earthy pine notes.
- Mexican Stout (9% ABV): An award-winning stout brewed with Mexican coffee, chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla beans, ancho, and chipotle peppers.
- Retro Fish Hazy DIPA (7.5% ABV): A hazy double IPA brewed with flaked wheat and malted oats, hopped with anchovy and Citra hops.
- The Shack IPA (6% ABV): An American IPA with notes of musky, earthy, citrus, mango, tropical, and stone fruit aromas.
- Mermaid Blonde Ale (5% ABV): A 2024 World Beer Cup Gold Winner, this is an easy-drinking summer ale with a slight sweetness from malt and a citrus/lemon flavor.
- Nutty Maple Method Porter (5.2% ABV): A porter brewed with coffee, maple syrup, and vanilla beans.
- Uncharted Waters #01 (2.5% ABV): A light American lager brewed for balance and flavor, crafted with premium Pilsner malt, flaked maize, and Czech Saaz hops.
- Abominable Snow Monster Ale (10% ABV): A complex Belgian strong dark ale brewed with honey, sugar plums, figs, and cherries, perfect for the winter season.
- Grazie Pilsner (4.3% ABV): An Italian Pilsner that is dry-hopped with Hallertau Mittelfruh and Czech Saaz hops for maximum aroma.
- Hard Seltzer Infusion (6% ABV)
Cans Available for To-Go or On-Site Pouring
- LBI Lager (4.2% ABV)
- Beach Patrol Hefeweizen (5.2% ABV)
- Barnegat Lager (6.3% ABV)
- Orange Sunset IPA – Imperial (9% ABV)
- Pineapple Sunset IPA – Imperial (9% ABV)
- Watermelon Sunset DIPA (9% ABV)
- Super Bomb Pop (13.5% ABV)
