As the Beatles once said, “THEY SAY ITS YOUR BIRTHDAY!” So what better way to celebrate than grabbing some friends and hitting up a local craft brewery? The selection of craft brewery locations has grown exponentially over the last decade from just a few to hundreds, so trying to find one that fits your sudsy needs might be a bit difficult. While it’s always great to try a different place that offers different products, I hope this list of some places I recommend hits the spot. Cheers!

*Beers mentioned may not be available due to rotating taps at each brewery. Check each location’s taplist for updated menus.*

• LAST WAVE BREWING CO.

  601 Bay Ave., Pt. Pleasant.
  Website: LastWaveBrewing.com

  When I decide to have some beers, I prefer sour ales. They don’t taste much like regular beer as much as they’re a refreshing fruit-forward ale. Last Wave ALWAYS has a great selection of sour ales as well as IPA’s and lagers with a great beach/surf vibe. RECOMMENDATION: Morning Glass Sour.

• ICARUS BREWING

  1790 Swarthmore Ave, Lakewood…but relocating to Rt. 88 in Brick soon.
  Website: IcarusBrewing.com

  How much do my wife and I like Icarus? We had her 40^th birthday party there! They’re going to be moving to Brick once the new location construction is completed which will expand their operation (and tasting room) dramatically. In the meantime, pay them a visit in Lakewood. RECOMMENDATION: Drinking Crayons NEIIPA or Yacht Juice NEIIPA.

   

• KANE BREWING COMPANY

  1750 Bloomsbury Ave, Ocean Township.
  Website: KaneBrewing.com

  Kane was one of the first breweries that was the ultimate go-to as the craft beer boom started. A great tasting room that was converted from a conference room and a huge upgrade from their original, you’ll find no shortage of great beers at Kane. RECOMMENDATION: Head High IPA.

• MANAFIRKIN BREWING COMPANY

  450 E. Bay Ave, Manahawkin
  Website: Manafirkin.com

  This one’s dangerous because it’s literally right around the corner from 100.1 WJRZ! Nothing like stopping on the way home from a hard day of playing Jersey’s Greatest Hits to pick up a pack of some sweet FIRKIN’ beers or seltzers! RECOMMENDATION: Different is BLUE-tiful Blueberry Lemon Seltzer.

• OYSTER CREEK BREWING CO.

  529 Rt. 9, Waretown
  Website: OysterCreekBrewing.com

  The winners of our “Battle of the Brews” tournament a few years ago, Oyster Creek has a delightful selection of suds that includes reduced gluten options. You can find their brews at their Waretown location as well as various bars in the area including Doyle’s, Lefty’s and the Lighthouse Tavern. RECOMMENDATION: MARIECurie Blueberry Cheesecake Imperial Cream Ale.

• TOMS RIVER BREWING

  1540 Rt. 37 W, Toms River.
  Website: TomsRiverBrewing.com

  Proper beers, a great central location and did I mention…proper beers??? At last check, there were over a dozen beers on tap in their tap room from IPA’s to stouts to sours to seltzers. A great selection of Irish & German ales as well. RECOMMENDATION: Shine On, You Prickly Diamond Sour Ale.

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