My friend from NY came down and I already put him on to pork roll (yes it’s pork roll) and he absolutely loved it! Now he’s asking for an NJ beer. He said stouts turn him off, but other than that he’s good. I love a citrus lager and I have not done my due diligence as a NJ native to seek out great NJ beers. What should we try?

A new year dawns, and it's time for r/njbeer's Best of 2023 Awards! As always, we're making some subtle changes - and introducing some new categories - so please read the below in its entirety.

The Primary Categories are:

• Best Beer: The best overall beer released in 2023 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best New Beer: The best overall beer that debuted in 2023 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best IPA: The best IPA (any type) released in 2023 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best Stout: The best Stout (any type) released in 2023 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best Sour: The best Sour (Wild Ales excluded) released in 2023 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best Wild Ale: The best Wild Ale released in 2023 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best Lager: The best Lager (any type) released in 2023 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best Barrel Aged Stout: The best stout that was aged in a barrel, of any type, and released in 2023 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best Barrel Aged Beer (Non-Stout): The best beer, of any type other than stout, that was aged in a barrel, of any type, and released in 2023 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best Other: The best non-IPA, non-Stout, non-Sour, non-Lager, non-BA beer that was released in 2023 (does not have to be packaged). Basically, if you couldn't nominate it elsewhere, do so here.
• Best Collaboration: The best beer, of any kind, that was a collaboration. The beer must have been produced (but not necessarily packaged) by a NJ brewery in 2023
• Best Branding: In a replacement of the "Best Label" category, this award represents the the best overall branding for a brewing in 2023
• Best Brewery: The best Brewery in NJ for 2023
• Best New Brewery: The best Brewery in NJ to open in 2023
• Most Improved Brewery: The Brewery that made the most significant jump in prestige in 2023
• Best Brewery Experience: The NJ Brewery (Brewpubs excluded) that had the best atmosphere, tasting room, service, etc in 2023
• Best Brewpub Experience: The NJ Brewpub that had the best atmosphere, tasting room, service, etc in 2023
• Most Controversial Brewery: The brewery that has led to the most discussion in 2023
• Most Creative/Unique Brewery: The NJ Brewery that has been the most creative/unique in 2023
• Best Brewery Festival/Event: The best NJ-located festival or event that occurred in 2023
• Best Bottle Shop/Liquor Store: The best NJ bottle shop/liquor store
• Best Craft Beer Bar/Restaurant: The best NJ bar/restaurant for craft beer

How voting will work:

This thread will be set to contest mode, meaning scores will be hidden. If you want to make a nomination, then reply to the appropriate category with your nomination. Top votes wins.

Only make one nomination per comment, one nomination per category and try not to repeat one already nominated. If you make multiple nominations in the same comment, your nomination will be disqualified! Please don't comment freely in this thread, use the discussion comment for chat. Nominations will last until January 12th. At that point, the top 6 scoring nominations will be entered into a poll that will run for one week to determine final winners (if there are less than 6 nominations for a category, so be it).

Please avoid downvoting nominations you don't like. Beyond being extremely childish, it has no effect on differentiating winners and losers as this is in contest mode and shows us the entries in the order of upvotes.

Need recommendations for a brewery that can host a baby shower!

Certainly seen plenty of back and forth on flights over the years (almost as contentious as kids in a brewery) but wanted to see what everyone heres honest opinions are on Breweries moving away from offering flights

Note: We stopped offering flights a while ago, but still offer 2x 5oz tasters per order.

These guys are quickly becoming one of the best in the state on new school hop saturated Hazy IPA’s. This is the color brewers strive for, and with the flavors to match. Bright citrus notes and creamy mouthfeel with little to no bitterness 🔥🔥🔥

These folks have been putting out insanely consistent and delicious beer for years. I’ve never even been to the taproom and am only basing this off of what we get down here in lonely Cape May County. Holy Toledo, all of these cans are hitting lately. Vienna Lager, Czech Pils, Fuego, Freshies. So solid and so consistent. Never been disappointed with a 6 pack I’ve picked up. I’ve no affiliation or connection, just want to give a shoutout where it’s due. Long Live Tonewood! Keep em rolling!

I’m looking for breweries around me, preferably in Passaic, Bergen, or Hudson county. Any good recommendations? I’ve been to Seven Tribesmen and I like them

Full disclosure - ZERO affiliation with Good Time Tricycle (event planner/coordinator/producer) or any brewery. Purely for my own / this sub's edification.

If you attended:

• What session did you go to?
• What factors led you to pick that session (band choice, transportation options, hotel availability, etc.)?
• Any breweries that really stood out to you?
• Any breweries that did not meet your expectations, including if they didn't attend?
• Some things Good Time Tricycle did well?
• Some things Good Time Tricycle could improve on?
• Anything you would like to see (or not see) at future festivals?
• Thoughts on it being a single-day event now, instead of a two-day event?
• Thoughts of it being fully indoor in the Convention Center, and no longer outdoor at Bader Field?

If you DIDN'T attend:

• What factors contributed to your decision not to attend (scheduling conflicts, ticket price, 'not my scene', no one to go with, etc.)?
• What would influence your decision to attend future festivals?

If you're a brewery who attended:

• Overall satisfaction with the festival?
• Any exceptional feedback to OR from attendees you'd like to share?
• Some things Good Time Tricycle did well?
• Some things Good Time Tricycle could improve on?
• Anything you would like to see (or not see) at future festivals?

Really good beers and great scene up here. I came with my wife and her friend from work who lives near here. Excellent Juicy IPAs

Kane used to be the spot. Great ipas, great stouts, memorable lagers and most importantly, great hangs.

Stopped in today for the anniversary and it's a shell of what it once was. Bar vibe these days, no samplers, no flights, real shame.

I'll always grab a 4 pack when I can but I can't see myself going back there again.

Is it just me?

^\technically I learned this Wednesday, but I digress...)

Icarus in Brick and Gusto in Cape May recently collaborated on a fantastic DIPA The Ends of the Earth that I snagged on release day. If you find your way down to Cape May soon, get some before it's gone. Got to talking with the Gusto brewer about it, and I said something akin to how awesome it was that a collab like that exposes people in both areas to breweries from 100 miles away, but he informed me that - because it was brewed at Gusto - it can only be sold there (presumably if brewed in sufficient quantities a collab beer could be canned and distributed to retailers). He said they'll go up to Icarus and brew there in the future, but it's ridiculous that this state's rules are still needlessly restrictive. It's just asinine for the state to impede - or at least not encourage - breweries to collaborate with ease.

Rant over. Not that I needed an excuse to trek back up to Icarus, but will just have to bump up my next visit from my planned one in August.

Need help deciding between these two itineraries.

1) icarus, birdsmouth, carton & alternate ending or 2) ghost hawk, autodidact, magnify, twin elephant & oakflower

Ive been to a few of these already. I dont think i can go wrong either way, just wondering what the preference would be. Open to other suggestions as well. Thanks!

Edit: Thanks for all the responses!

Hi guys - I’m having a BIG birthday coming up in January, and am wanting to hire a party bus to take me and my friends around to several breweries. We’ll be staying at a hotel in Asbury Park. Kane is a must for me, but I’m looking for other recommendations from this group. I’m not super familiar with that area, so I’m not sure how far and wide we should travel. Is it too far to go to Icarus? I’m open to other suggestions for other alcohol establishments if they’re a “must” (eg distillery, meadery, etc.), food in the area, and limo services. Thanks and party on!

It’s been a long-term goal of mine to visit every New Jersey brewery. After years, and after hitting Alias and Esker Hart this weekend, I’m back down to one: Cold Spring.

The question is… which beer at Cold Spring to bring me over the finish line? Serious and ridiculous answers welcome.

Also, what should my next arbitrary beer goal be to fill the void?

Backward Flag in Forked River is veteran owned and a great vibe with some decent beer. But typist handful of times I’ve been there it’s been surprisingly quiet. They need our support!! Let’s all make an effort to grab a beer there and it’s very close to a few other breweries as well

Headed to NYC this weekend for a show, but staying overnight around The Meadowlands. Saturday is a bit of a wash as we are on a time crunch and have plans in the city, but Sunday has options. As a very South Jersey resident, I rarely get to have North Jersey brews outside of festivals (see some of you at AC Beerfest next month!), because any time I'm up around NYC it's usually for work and drinking is frowned upon.

Already planning to hit Bolero Snort on Saturday night, and Icarus on the way home Sunday. Anywhere else not too far off the GSP north of Toms River that's a must-hit?

A new year dawns, and it's time for r/njbeer's Best of 2022 Awards! As always, we're making some subtle changes - and introducing some new categories - so please read the below in its entirety.

The Primary Categories are:

• Best Beer: The best overall beer released in 2022 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best New Beer: The best overall beer that debuted in 2022 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best IPA: The best IPA (any type) released in 2022 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best Stout: The best Stout (any type) released in 2022 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best Sour: The best Sour (Wild Ales excluded) released in 2022 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best Wild Ale: The best Wild Ale released in 2022 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best Lager: The best Lager (any type) released in 2022 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best Barrel Aged Stout: The best stout that was aged in a barrel, of any type, and released in 2022 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best Barrel Aged Beer (Non-Stout): The best beer, of any type other than stout, that was aged in a barrel, of any type, and released in 2022 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best Other: The best non-IPA, non-Stout, non-Sour, non-Lager, non-BA beer that was released in 2022 (does not have to be packaged). Basically, if you couldn't nominate it elsewhere, do so here.
• Best Collaboration: The best beer, of any kind, that was a collaboration. The beer must have been produced (but not necessarily packaged) by a NJ brewery in 2022.
• Best Label: The best can/bottle label for beer released in 2022 (please link an image of the label)
• Best Brewery: The best Brewery in NJ for 2022
• Best New Brewery: The best Brewery in NJ to open in 2022
• Most Improved Brewery: The Brewery that made the most significant jump in prestige in 2022
• Best Brewery Experience: The NJ Brewery (Brewpubs excluded) that had the best atmosphere, tasting room, service, etc in 2022
• Best Brewpub Experience: The NJ Brewpub that had the best atmosphere, tasting room, service, etc in 2022
• Most Controversial Brewery: The brewery that has led to the most discussion in 2022
• Most Creative/Unique Brewery: The NJ Brewery that has been the most creative/unique in 2022
• Best Brewery Festival/Event: The best NJ-located festival or event that occurred in 2022
• Best Bottle Shop/Liquor Store: The best NJ bottle shop/liquor store
• Best Craft Beer Bar/Restaurant: The best NJ bar/restaurant for craft beer

How voting will work:

This thread will be set to contest mode, meaning scores will be hidden. If you want to make a nomination, then reply to the appropriate category with your nomination. Top votes wins.

Only make one nomination per comment and try not to repeat one already nominated. If you make multiple nominations in the same comment, your nomination will be disqualified! Please don't comment freely in this thread, use the discussion comment for chat. Nominations will last until January 9th. At that point, the top 6 scoring nominations will be entered into a poll that will run for one week to determine final winners (if there are less than 6 nominations for a category, so be it).

Please avoid downvoting nominations you don't like. Beyond being extremely childish, it has no effect on differentiating winners and losers as this is in contest mode and shows us the entries in the order of upvotes.

For years now this spot has been subject to various “most controversial” awards at the end of year, or just general hatred for their business practice. People who downvote anything positive about Troon, or any post about them. People who have never tried them and will go to their grave spiteful for their existence.

I just don’t understand. They have a consistent model. It hasn’t changed since COVID started. Yeah if you live in Cape May or Mahwah you’re gonna have a bad time. It’s clearly designed to appeal to direct locals. All of this should be easy to understand but isn’t.

What’s ridiculous to me is the vitriol. Are you that mad that you can’t get one brewery’s release that you shit on the rest of what happens regarding them? You have a million other options if you want to try their beer: eBay, trade groups (not on Reddit of course), instagram comments.

I really just don’t understand the anger. They make the best beer in the state, and it’s really not for debate now that Referend is in PA. Just get over yourselves and enjoy the plethora of amazing beer that exists in almost every liquor store nowadays.

It's time for r/njbeer's Best of 2021 Awards, but we're making some minor changes so please read in its entirety.

The Primary Categories are:

• Best Beer: The best overall beer released in 2021 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best IPA: The best IPA (any type) released in 2021 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best Stout: The best Stout (any type) released in 2021 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best Sour: The best Sour (any type) released in 2021 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best Lager: The best Lager (any type) released in 2021 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best Barrel Aged Stout: The best stout that was aged in a barrel, of any type, and released in 2021 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best Barrel Aged Beer (Non-Stout): The best beer, of any type other than stout, that was aged in a barrel, of any type, and released in 2021 (does not have to be packaged)
• Best Other: The best non-IPA, non-Stout, non-Sour, non-Lager, non-BA beer that was released in 2021 (does not have to be packaged). Basically, if you couldn't nominate it elsewhere, do so here.
• Best Collaboration: The best beer, of any kind, that was a collaboration. The beer must have been produced (but not necessarily packaged) by a NJ brewery in 2021.
• Best Label: The best can/bottle label for beer released in 2021 (please link an image of the label)
• Best Brewery: The best Brewery in NJ for 2021
• Best New Brewery: The best Brewery in NJ to open in 2021
• Most Improved Brewery: The Brewery that made the most significant jump in prestige in 2021
• Best Brewery Experience: The NJ Brewery that had the best atmosphere, tasting room, service, etc in 2021
• Most Controversial Brewery: The brewery that has led to the most discussion in 2021
• Most Creative/Unique Brewery: The NJ Brewery that has been the most creative/unique in 2021
• Best Brewery Festival/Event: The best NJ-located festival or event that occurred in 2021
• Best Bottle Shop/Liquor Store: The best NJ bottle shop/liquor store
• Best Craft Beer Bar/Restaurant: The best NJ bar/restaurant for craft beer
• Best Brewpub: The best Brewpub in NJ for 2021

• Best Online Shopping Experience: The establishment that provided the best overall shopping experience via online shopping, curbside pickup, and/or delivery.

  How voting will work:

This thread will be set to contest mode, meaning scores will be hidden. If you want to make a nomination, then reply to the appropriate category with your nomination. Top votes wins.

Only make one nomination per comment and try not to repeat one already nominated. If you make multiple nominations in the same comment, your nomination will be disqualified! Please don't comment freely in this thread, use the discussion comment for chat. Nominations will last until January 1st. At that point, the top 6 scoring nominations will be entered into a poll that will run for one week to determine final winners (if there are less than 6 nominations for a category, so be it).

Please avoid downvoting nominations you don't like. Beyond being extremely childish, it has no effect on differentiating winners and losers as this is in contest mode and shows us the entries in the order of upvotes.

A buddy and I are headed to New Jersey this weekend from Minnesota for a bachelor party weekend at an Airbnb. We’re in charge of grabbing the beer on the way to the place. Anyone have any suggestions for exclusive New Jersey/East Coast only beers to celebrate the occasion? Thanks in advance!

Where is the best Guinness pour in Monmouth County? I have found the Dublin House to be great. Kelly’s, Darcy’s and Kim Marie’s seem to have decent pours as well