New Jersey’s craft beer community has once again turned the holiday season into a statewide celebration, blending new brewery openings, limited winter releases, and a packed calendar of post-Christmas events. From cozy taprooms to creative seasonal pours, the Garden State is offering beer lovers plenty of reasons to explore local flavors while supporting homegrown businesses.
Two new breweries are already adding fresh energy to the scene. Bullhide Brewery, a western-themed taproom along Harding Highway, recently welcomed its first guests and has quickly become a destination for holiday visitors seeking a relaxed, rustic atmosphere paired with locally made beer. Over in Gloucester County, Sons of Barley Beer Company has transitioned into full-time operations just in time for the season, opening its doors seven days a week and giving South Jersey drinkers another neighborhood gathering spot for winter get-togethers.
Seasonal beer releases are at the heart of New Jersey’s winter beer culture, and 2025 has brought an especially creative lineup. Kane Brewing Company has unveiled its latest Bière de Nöel, a carefully aged spontaneous blend that offers layered notes of baked apple, toasted brioche, and gentle funk. Cape May Brewing has leaned into classic hop character with Merry & Brite, a West Coast–style IPA designed specifically for the holiday period. Brix City Brewing has added a splash of color to the season with Blue-Ish Christmas Sour, a festive purple-hued beer brewed with fresh blueberry purée, while 13th Child Brewery has tapped Blitzen’s Reserve, a warming spiced ale that channels traditional winter flavors.
Beyond the beer itself, breweries across the state are keeping taprooms lively with themed nights and community-focused gatherings. In Jersey City, 902 Brewing has paired a toy donation drive with beer discounts throughout December and is continuing the spirit of celebration with a post-Christmas karaoke night. Diamond Spring Brewing is turning Christmas evening into trivia night, giving locals a fun way to unwind once holiday dinners are over. Live music, acoustic jams, lobster truck collaborations, and art-focused events are filling the calendar at taprooms from Westwood to Montclair, creating reasons to keep the holiday cheer going well after December 25.
Several New Jersey breweries have also leaned heavily into classic Christmas flavors. Flounder Brewing has released both St. Nick Christmas Ale and its rum barrel-aged counterpart, Naughty St. Nick, offering drinkers a choice between traditional spice and deeper barrel character. Krogh’s Restaurant & Brew Pub is pouring a holiday ale infused with orange zest and cinnamon, while Farm Truck Brewing’s Merry Mist Cream Ale and Jersey Girl Brewing’s Nog Cream Ale bring dessert-inspired spice blends to the tap list. Neck of the Woods Brewing, Carton Brewing, Spellbound Brewing, and Tonewood Brewing have each contributed distinctive winter offerings that round out the state’s festive lineup.
South Jersey continues to shine as a destination for beer lovers this season. Buena Connection Brewing has launched recurring Friday specials featuring discounted pours and appreciation offers for educators, reinforcing the brewery’s community-first approach while inviting guests to settle in and kick off their weekends locally.
Together, these openings, releases, and events reflect a broader movement within New Jersey’s craft beer culture that emphasizes creativity, community connection, and social responsibility. Breweries are not only serving distinctive seasonal beers but also creating welcoming spaces that encourage local support and shared experiences, values that closely align with the compassionate spirit highlighted in the Humane State section.
As winter settles in, New Jersey’s breweries are proving that cold weather only amplifies the warmth of a strong local beer scene. Whether discovering a new taproom, sampling a limited holiday pour, or attending a themed event, residents and visitors alike can find countless ways to toast the season while supporting the businesses that make the Garden State’s craft beer culture thrive.
