This western Atlantic County town is quickly growing a name for itself as a destination for craft brewers and beer lovers. With its opening in September, Vinyl Brewing Co. became the third microbrewery to open in Hammonton – part of a growing trend of microbreweries, wineries and distilleries opening not only in New Jersey, but nationwide.
In 2016, there were 82 microbreweries in the state, according to data from the Brewers Association, a nonprofit trade association. That’s a 61 percent increase from 2015.
Now there are 45 wineries registered with the Garden State Wine Growers Association and 16 licensed distilleries, said Donna Albano, associate professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies in the School of Business at Stockton University.
In Cape May County, visitors from across the state, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware and Maryland flock to the Cape May Brewing Co. for its variety of beer. The 20-tap line is comprised of saisons and IPAs to porters, stouts and everything in between.