New Jersey Craft Beer Week begins its inaugural edition, starting tomorrow, running July 13–20, 2025—a statewide celebration designed to shine a spotlight on our thriving community of craft breweries. Over 150 independent breweries are participating in taproom events, special beer releases, collaborative brews, and more, all to encourage locals to enjoy NJ beer at home, in their neighborhoods, and beyond.
📅 Kick‑Off in Three Regions – July 13
Start your week at one of three simultaneous grassroots launch events:
- Cloverleaf Tavern, Caldwell – 10 AM to 2 PM
- The Landing, Hillsborough – 3 PM to 8 PM
- Cinder Bar, Sewell – 12 PM to 4 PM
Expect draft lists curated solely from New Jersey breweries, exclusive freebies, and a chance to meet the craft-makers themselves.
🍺 Highlights & Happenings
From North Jersey brew fests to Jersey Shore tap parties, the week is jam-packed with unique experiences:
- Fort Nonsense Brewing (Morristown) hosts “Sourstock” June 12–13—a chance to sample their standout kettle sours.
- Icarus Brewing in Brick celebrates its “Brickaversary” on July 12 with live music, food trucks, and beer releases
- Little Dog Brewing (Jersey Shore) closes the week on July 20 with a relaxed afternoon of food trucks, giveaways, and swag
- Whims Brewing in Atco pre‑games on July 12 with a Dracaena collaboration beer—an exotic hoppy black IPA
🍻 Breweries to Watch
Here’s a curated snapshot of breweries taking part, showcasing the geographic and stylistic breadth of NJ beer:
- Flying Fish Brewing (Somerdale) – The Garden State’s largest craft brewery with award-winning flagship ales.
- Kane Brewing (Ocean Twp) – Known for high-quality stouts and DIPAs since 2011.
- Climax Brewing (Roselle Park) – One of New Jersey’s oldest microbreweries (est. 1994), praised for classic styles like ESB and Belgian ales.
- Cricket Hill Brewing (Fairfield) – Pioneers of cask-conditioned beers since 2000.
- Ghost Hawk Brewing (Clifton) – One of northern NJ’s few breweries, spotlighting a solid lager lineup.
- Flounder Brewing (Hillsborough) – A nano‑brewery born from home‑brew roots, serving honey ales and saisons.
…and more than a hundred fellow breweries spanning Bergen, Middlesex, Atlantic, and the Shore
🎉 Why It Matters
Despite great beer and innovation, New Jersey still ranks 9th lowest in breweries per capita and 45th in per‑adult craft beer consumption. Craft Beer Week aims to bridge that gap—bringing attention, foot traffic, and support to local breweries impacted by pandemic regulations, rising costs, and outdated licensing rules .
Brewers Guild Executive Director Brie Devlin encourages residents to “go have a beer in your own zip code”—a reminder that great beer lives just around the corner .
🗓️ Here’s How to Enjoy It All
1. Plan Your Route:
With events in North, Central, South, and the Shore—plus brewery-exclusive specials—you can craft a tailored crawl based on your neighborhood or interest.
2. Look for Pop‑Ups & Collabs:
From food-truck pairings to beer collaborations (see Whims & NJCB), there’s always a surprise to uncover.
3. Join the NJCB Membership Club:
Members get exclusive perks—discounts, giveaways, and priority invites throughout the week.
4. Share Your Adventures:
Capture the moments and tag your posts with #NJCraftBeerWeek to spread the love and discover new favorites.
🎯 Your Guide to NJ Hops & Craft
Whether you’re chasing a bold IPA, sipping a smooth lager, or exploring tart sours and fruity saisons, New Jersey Craft Beer Week 2025 is your week-long VIP pass.
Stay tuned to the Brewers Guild website for full event listings, brewery profiles, and daily updates. Let’s raise a glass to what’s local—and what’s next—in the Garden State’s beer scene.
Explore New Jersey is your official guide to all things craft, culture, and community in the Garden State. Cheers!