More than 150 independent breweries in New Jersey are gearing up for the inaugural New Jersey Craft Beer Week from July 13 to 20, a statewide initiative aimed at boosting visibility and support for the craft beer industry.

Organized by the Brewers Guild of New Jersey, this campaign will include a variety of events such as tap takeovers, trivia nights, food trucks, and live music at breweries across the state, including North, Central, South Jersey, and the Jersey Shore. The Guild, representing policy interests of independent breweries and brewpubs, unveiled this initiative as their first coordinated public campaign to promote the state’s often underestimated craft beer scene.

New Jersey, despite housing numerous breweries, ranks low in brewery count per capita and beer consumption. These statistics highlight an opportunity for growth and awareness in a state that is currently lagging behind in both access to and knowledge of its craft beer offerings.

The timing of this campaign comes as the industry is emerging from a challenging period characterized by rising operational costs and regulatory hurdles related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2019, New Jersey has seen a decline in the number of breweries, dropping from around 180 to roughly 150, with a significant number of closures occurring since mid-2020.

The craft beer industry in New Jersey saw initial growth following the state’s law changes in 2012, which allowed more extensive production and distribution for microbreweries and brewpubs. However, the industry faced setbacks in 2019 due to new regulations imposed on breweries by the state’s Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), which introduced restrictions on events and food sales as a way to appease full retail license holders like bars and restaurants.

As advocates for local breweries noted the struggles posed by these restrictions, recent legislative changes have begun to ease regulations, allowing breweries more flexibility in operations and promoting local craft beer enjoyment.

The New Jersey Craft Beer Week aims to reconnect locals with breweries in their communities, encouraging residents to explore the craft beer offerings available right in their own neighborhoods. The Guild hopes this event will be the catalyst for rediscovering the state’s vibrant craft beer landscape, with specific launch events at various participating locations on July 13.

For more information about New Jersey Craft Beer Week, including a listing of participating breweries and events, you can visit the Brewers Guild of New Jersey.