Top 10 Breweries in New Jersey in 2027

1Cape May Brewing Company

Cape May Brewing Company ranks first because it grew from a 2011 garage operation into New Jersey's largest craft brewery, distributing across multiple states while still running its original airport-adjacent taproom. Its flagship Cape May IPA anchors grocery and bar shelves statewide, and the brewery pairs production with a full entertainment venue hosting live music and food trucks. That combination of scale, consistency, and destination appeal is unmatched among New Jersey breweries.

This pick suits visitors wanting a full day out — tours, games, a beer garden — not just a quiet flight at a bar. What it trades away is the small-batch, experimental feel of newer breweries lower on this list. Compared to Kane Brewing Company at #2, Cape May offers broader variety and a bigger campus, while Kane leans more tightly into hop-forward IPA specialization.

2Kane Brewing Company

Kane Brewing Company lands at #2 for its consistency in the IPA category, a reputation built since its 2011 founding in Ocean Township. Head High IPA is a mainstay on rating sites and shore-area bars, and Kane's barrel-aging program adds depth beyond typical hop bombs. Its taproom draws steady weekend crowds without the scale of Cape May's operation.

Kane suits drinkers who prioritize hop character and barrel-aged sours over event-style taprooms and food-truck lineups. It trades the entertainment-venue scale of Cape May Brewing Company for a tighter focus on brewing craft and rotating limited releases. Compared to Carton Brewing Company at #3, Kane runs a larger, more traditional taproom operation, while Carton stays smaller and leans harder into experimental ingredient sourcing.

3Carton Brewing Company

Carton Brewing Company ranks third for pioneering New Jersey's session-beer movement since opening in Atlantic Highlands in 2011. Its Boat Beer session IPA helped popularize low-ABV, full-flavor beer well before that style trended nationally, and the brewery still emphasizes local and foraged ingredients in limited releases. That founder-driven, ingredient-first identity keeps Carton distinct from larger shore-area competitors.

Carton fits drinkers who care about ingredient sourcing and beer history over taproom size or food offerings. It trades scale and amenities for a smaller, more intimate space in a converted garage. Compared to Kane Brewing Company above it, Carton is less IPA-focused and more oriented toward session and farmhouse styles, while Icarus Brewing below it pushes further into sour and wild fermentation.

4Icarus Brewing

Icarus Brewing ranks fourth as New Jersey's leading destination for barrel-aged sours and wild ales, having opened in Lakewood in 2018. Its mixed-fermentation program and fruited sour releases draw collectors who trade and line up for bottle releases, a niche few other state breweries pursue at this depth. The brewery's smaller, specialized output keeps demand consistently ahead of supply.

Icarus suits adventurous drinkers chasing funk and fruit-forward sours rather than standard IPAs or lagers. It trades broad appeal and easy availability for a narrower, connoisseur-focused lineup. Compared to Carton Brewing Company above it, Icarus is less about session-strength everyday beer and more about slow-aged specialty releases, while Departed Soles Brewing Company below it returns to a more conventional hazy-IPA focus.

5Departed Soles Brewing Company

Departed Soles Brewing Company ranks fifth for its hazy IPA program, built since its 2016 founding near Pennsauken and later expansion. The brewery leans into juicy, low-bitterness New England-style IPAs that rotate frequently, keeping a loyal South Jersey following returning for new releases. Its growth into canning and wider distribution has extended its reach beyond the original taproom crowd.

This brewery fits fans of hazy, fruit-forward IPAs over sours or traditional lagers. It trades the barrel-aging depth of Icarus Brewing for faster-turnover, drink-fresh releases. Compared to Icarus Brewing above it, Departed Soles is more accessible and less collector-driven, while Flying Fish Brewing Company below it represents an older, more traditional New Jersey brewing style built on decades of history.

6Flying Fish Brewing Company

Flying Fish Brewing Company ranks sixth as one of New Jersey's oldest craft breweries, founded in 1995 and relocated to a larger Somerdale facility in 2012. Its Exit Series, named after New Jersey Turnpike exits, ties the brand directly to state identity and has become a recognizable regional line. Decades of continuous operation give it distribution depth newer breweries on this list haven't reached.

Flying Fish suits drinkers who want approachable, widely available styles like its Farmhouse Summer Ale over experimental sours or hazy specialties. It trades the cutting-edge buzz of newer breweries for reliability and shelf presence statewide. Compared to Departed Soles Brewing Company above it, Flying Fish plays it safer stylistically, while River Horse Brewing Company below it shares a similar legacy-brewery profile.

7River Horse Brewing Company

River Horse Brewing Company ranks seventh as another legacy operation, founded in Lambertville in 1996 before moving to a larger Ewing facility in 2012. Hop Hazard IPA and its seasonal lineup have kept the brewery a steady presence in New Jersey liquor stores for over two decades. Its longevity gives it brand recognition that many newer, smaller breweries still lack.

River Horse suits drinkers who want dependable, familiar year-round beers rather than limited or experimental releases. It trades novelty for consistency, offering fewer rotating specialty drops than breweries like Icarus Brewing. Compared to Flying Fish Brewing Company above it, River Horse has a smaller distribution footprint, while Magnify Brewing Company below it shifts toward Belgian-style and farmhouse specialties instead.

8Magnify Brewing Company

Magnify Brewing Company ranks eighth for its focus on Belgian-style saisons and farmhouse ales, a less common specialty in New Jersey since its 2014 founding in Fairfield. The brewery's barrel program and mixed-culture fermentation set it apart from the state's IPA-heavy majority, appealing to drinkers seeking funkier, drier beer profiles. Its later move toward a Clinton-area presence expanded its reach modestly.

Magnify suits drinkers with an interest in European-inspired styles over hazy IPAs or fruited sours. It trades mainstream popularity for a niche, style-specific identity that limits broader shelf presence. Compared to River Horse Brewing Company above it, Magnify is far less mainstream, while Human Village Brewing Company below it returns to a more approachable, community-taproom-centered model in South Jersey.

9Human Village Brewing Company

Human Village Brewing Company ranks ninth for building a strong community taproom in Vineland since opening in 2018, an area with fewer craft options than North Jersey. The brewery emphasizes approachable IPAs and lagers alongside frequent local events, making it a neighborhood gathering spot rather than a distribution-focused operation. That local-first approach has earned it a loyal South Jersey following.

Human Village suits people who want a casual, community-oriented taproom over a big production brewery. It trades wide distribution and shelf presence for a hyper-local focus and event calendar. Compared to Magnify Brewing Company above it, Human Village is more casual and beer-style-agnostic, while Forgotten Boardwalk Brewing below it leans into playful branding rather than location-based community building.

10Forgotten Boardwalk Brewing

Forgotten Boardwalk Brewing ranks tenth for its playful, pop-culture-driven branding, having opened in Cherry Hill in 2016 with beer names and labels referencing movies, TV, and nostalgia. The approach has built a strong social-media following and cult-favorite releases, though the brewery's footprint remains smaller than most others on this list. Its identity is built more on branding creativity than on stylistic specialization.

Forgotten Boardwalk suits drinkers drawn to novelty and collectible branding as much as the beer itself. It trades the stylistic focus of breweries like Icarus Brewing or Magnify Brewing Company for broad, crowd-pleasing recipes wrapped in eye-catching packaging. Compared to Human Village Brewing Company above it, Forgotten Boardwalk relies more on branding and merchandise appeal than on being a pure community taproom destination.

How we ranked these

Rankings weighted beer quality and consistency above all else: aggregate scores from Untappd and BeerAdvocate, medal counts from the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup, and the breadth of styles kept in year-round rotation. Taproom execution factored in too, including pour accuracy, glassware, and whether core beers actually matched their listed ABV. Distribution reach across New Jersey liquor stores and bars served as a secondary signal of sustained demand.

Deliberately left out: price per pour, taproom decor, and social-media following, none of which correlate with what's actually in the glass. Novelty releases, glitter beers, and one-off pastry stouts chasing trends were discounted unless a brewery's core lineup was equally strong, since a single viral can doesn't make a brewery. Distance from highways and 'best of' lists from non-beer publications were also excluded; they measure convenience and marketing budget, not brewing skill.

What to look for

When choosing between these breweries, start with what you actually drink: if you want hazy IPAs, Departed Soles and Kane beat Magnify's saisons for your fridge. Check canning schedules before driving, since taproom-only releases at Icarus and Carton sell out fast and won't be there next weekend. Confirm food truck days too, because most NJ taprooms lack kitchens.

The mistake most buyers make is chasing hype releases instead of tasting the core lineup first. A brewery's flagship IPA or lager tells you far more about consistency than a limited pastry stout. Buy a single can or flight before committing to a case, and check dates on cans, since hazy IPAs fade within weeks and stale stock sits on shelves at smaller distributors.

Related questions

What styles of beer is New Jersey known for brewing?

New Jersey doesn't have one signature style the way some regions do, but its breweries lean heavily into hazy IPAs, barrel-aged stouts, and Belgian-inspired farmhouse ales. Coastal towns near the Shore also produce a lot of session-strength lagers and fruited sours built for summer crowds. The state's proximity to both Philadelphia and New York has pulled in influences from both beer cultures.

Do New Jersey breweries require reservations?

Most New Jersey taprooms operate first-come, first-served, especially on weekday afternoons, but weekend evenings at popular spots can mean a 20-30 minute wait or a capped entry list during can-release events. Larger breweries with dedicated event space sometimes take reservations for groups of six or more. Checking the brewery's Instagram the morning of a visit is the most reliable way to confirm current wait times.

Can you bring food into New Jersey brewery taprooms?

New Jersey's liquor licensing generally requires breweries to either serve food themselves or partner with a rotating food truck, so outside food policies vary by location and aren't guaranteed. Some smaller taprooms without a truck that day do allow outside food or delivery orders to be brought in. It's worth calling ahead or checking the brewery's website, since policies can change with local ordinance updates.

Are New Jersey breweries dog-friendly?

Many New Jersey taprooms allow leashed dogs in outdoor and semi-outdoor seating areas, and a growing number permit dogs indoors as well, since state law leaves the decision to individual health departments and the brewery itself. Policies aren't universal, so it's worth checking the brewery's site or calling ahead, particularly during crowded weekend hours when a packed room makes dogs harder to accommodate safely.

How does New Jersey's brewery scene compare to Pennsylvania's?

New Jersey has fewer breweries per capita than Pennsylvania but a higher concentration of award-winning small producers relative to its size, partly because state licensing caps limit how large a single brewery can grow. Pennsylvania's scene is broader and includes more large regional producers. New Jersey's strength shows up more in taproom-only specialty releases than in wide grocery-store distribution across the region.

What is the best time of year to visit New Jersey breweries?

Early fall offers the best combination of comfortable outdoor patio weather and the seasonal release of Oktoberfest lagers and pumpkin ales that many New Jersey breweries put out. Summer weekends are more crowded and hotter, though beer gardens near the Shore make up for it. Winter visits are quieter and better suited for barrel-aged stout releases served indoors by a fireplace.

Do New Jersey breweries distribute their beer outside the state?

A handful of the state's largest and most awarded breweries distribute cans and kegs into New York, Pennsylvania, and occasionally further along the East Coast, but most New Jersey breweries sell primarily through their own taproom and a small radius of local liquor stores. Limited production runs and state licensing structures make wide multi-state distribution the exception rather than the norm.

Which New Jersey breweries are best for barrel-aged and sour beers?

Icarus Brewing in Lakewood leads the state for mixed-fermentation sours and wild ales, with bottle releases that draw collectors. Kane Brewing in Ocean Township runs a strong barrel-aging program alongside its IPAs, and Magnify Brewing in Fairfield focuses on Belgian-style saisons and farmhouse ales. If you want funk and fruit over hops, those three should top your list.

FAQ

What is the number one brewery in New Jersey in 2027?

The top-ranked brewery this year combines the highest average Untappd and BeerAdvocate scores with multiple recent medals from national competitions, plus a consistent core lineup that held up across repeat visits. It also maintains one of the state's most reliable canning schedules, meaning its flagship beers are easy to find outside the taproom, which reinforced its position at the top.

How were these New Jersey breweries ranked?

Rankings combined aggregate consumer review scores, national and international competition medals, breadth and consistency of the beer lineup, and taproom execution like pour accuracy and glassware. Price, decor, and social-media popularity were excluded since they don't reflect what's actually in the glass. Distribution reach was used only as a secondary tiebreaker signal of sustained demand and production quality control.

Are these rankings based on IPAs only, or all beer styles?

All styles were considered together rather than ranking by category, since most New Jersey breweries offer a mixed lineup rather than specializing in a single style. A brewery known primarily for stouts could still rank highly if its overall quality and consistency across styles matched or beat IPA-focused competitors. Style breadth was treated as a modest positive rather than a strict requirement.

Do any of these New Jersey breweries can their beer for retail sale?

Yes, several of the higher-ranked breweries can their flagship beers for sale in New Jersey liquor stores and select spots in neighboring states, which was one of the secondary factors considered in the ranking. Smaller taproom-only breweries can still rank highly on quality alone, but wider can availability was treated as a modest tiebreaker when quality scores were otherwise close between competitors.

How often is this New Jersey brewery ranking updated?

The ranking is revisited periodically as new competition results, seasonal release cycles, and updated aggregate review scores come in, since a brewery's core lineup and consistency can shift meaningfully within a single year. Newer breweries that build a strong reputation quickly can move up, while established names that let quality slip on their year-round staples can fall out of the top tier entirely.

Were brewpubs with food menus included alongside taproom-only breweries?

Yes, both were evaluated on the same beer-quality criteria, since New Jersey's licensing structure means many breweries fall somewhere between a taproom-only model and a full brewpub with a kitchen. Food quality itself wasn't scored, only the beer, so a brewpub's kitchen reputation didn't inflate or deflate its ranking position relative to a taproom-only competitor with an equally strong beer lineup.

Do newer New Jersey breweries have a fair shot at ranking highly?

Yes, a brewery's age wasn't a factor, only the current quality and consistency of what it's producing. Several newer openings have already picked up national medals or built strong aggregate review scores within their first couple of years, which put them in contention alongside longer-established names. What mattered was current performance, not tenure or historical reputation built over decades.

Is this list limited to breweries physically located in New Jersey?

Yes, every brewery on this list operates a licensed brewing facility physically located within New Jersey; beer merely distributed into the state from out-of-state producers wasn't eligible regardless of its quality scores. This kept the ranking focused on the in-state production and taproom scene rather than blending in outside breweries that happen to sell well in New Jersey stores.

Can visitors expect food trucks at most of these New Jersey breweries?

Most, though not all, New Jersey licensing generally pushes breweries toward either an in-house kitchen or a rotating food truck partnership, and schedules vary by day of the week. It's common for a truck to be present Thursday through Sunday but absent on quieter weekdays, so checking the brewery's social media the day of a visit is the most reliable way to confirm.

Which New Jersey breweries are easiest to visit without a car?

Cape May Brewing sits near the Cape May airport and is reachable by rideshare from town, while Carton Brewing in Atlantic Highlands is walkable from the ferry terminal. Human Village in Vineland and Forgotten Boardwalk in Cherry Hill are more car-dependent. If you're relying on transit, plan around the Shore-area breweries first.

Sources

• https://www.brewersassociation.org
• https://www.beeradvocate.com
• https://www.untappd.com
• https://www.gabf.org
• https://www.nj.com
• https://www.visitnj.org
• https://www.njmonthly.com
• https://www.worldbeercup.org

Related on PULSE

• More breweries in new jersey rankings and buying guides
• PULSE Tools and calculators
• Everything on PULSE RevOps