Don't miss these beers and ciders this fall at the Jersey Shore
The witch's cauldron isn't the only thing bubbling this spooky season.
If you're looking for a fizzy cider or a hearty beer, cideries and craft breweries at the Jersey Shore have you covered.
Want a classic Oktoberfest-style beer? You got it. Or how about an Apple Cider Donut Shake, with real ice cream in it?
Here's a look at some of our favorite local fall sips.
Alternate Ending Beer Co., Aberdeen Township
Try AE's Hoser Lager (5.6%), a single-decoction German Oktoberfest Lager, for a simple, classic taste.
Want something a little different, and fashionable? We've Gone to Plaid, at 4.7% ABV, is a Rye Schwarzbier, a.k.a. a double-decocted German Black lager brewed with rye malt and foeder-lagered (aged in a big wooden barrel) for four weeks.
Go: 1057 Route 34, Aberdeen Township; 732-612-8422, alternateendingbeerco.com.
Beach Bee Meadery, Long Branch
Try the delicate Apricot Sage, a cider that starts with a fresh apricot taste, and finishes with fragrant notes of sage.
For something a little sweeter, try the Peach Cobber. This carbonated cider starts with the taste of juicy, semi-sweet peaches before transitioning into a warming, brown sugar spice finish.
Go: 89 Long Branch Ave., Long Branch; 732-403-3558, beachbeemeadery.com.
Beach Haus Brewery, Belmar
Beach Haus has a classic Oktoberfest with generous amounts of Munich and Vienna malt, a touch of caramel malt, and delicately hopped with Hallertau Tradition (making this a malt forward, crisp lager), but they're also pouring something called "Pumptoberfest."
They took the classic Oktoberfest, and conditioned it with pumpkin pie spices, leaving flavors like cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and ginger. Both of these beers have a 5.5% ABV.
There's also a Pumpkin Spice Latte Irish Stoudt (4.2%), which is dry and made with Turnstile Espresso roast, vanilla and pumpkin pie spices.
If you're up for a party, visit on October 8 from 2 to 5 p.m. for the free Oktoberfest celebration, with German food specials, a steinholding competition, and live music by Brian Wildeman.
Go: 801 Main St., Belmar; 732-202-7782, beachhausbeer.com.
Belford Brewing Company, Belford
Try the Flannel, brewed with nutmeg and cinnamon at 6.3% ABV, or the Crab Apple Belgian-style wheat ale, which is brewed with Granny Smith and Honey Crisp apples at 6.4% ABV. And with a nod to New Jersey's status as one of the leading states in cranberry production, it's also only fair that the Spy House Wit Belgian-style wheat ale, is brewed with them for a sweet yet tangy finish. It rings in at 7% ABV.
The brewery also has a Marzen Lager, with notes of caramel and toffee at 6.5% ABV, made to honor its upcoming 10th anniversary Belftoberfest celebration, with German bands, games and activities. It kicks off September 28.
Go: 84 Leonardville Road, Belford; 732-769-7168, belfordbrewing.com.
Birdsmouth Beer, Oceanport
This new brewery in the Fort Monmouth Commissary has a classic Oktoberfest (5.5%), a copper to golden amber beer with a backbone of toasted malts. The aroma is bakery-reminiscent, with notes of toasted bread crumbs, crackers and baked goods, but there are also slight floral notes.
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The medium-bodied brew, the Mexican Dark Lager (4.4%) scratches that dark beer itch, without being overwhelming.
The base is pilsner and corn, with a tiny bit of crystal malt and roasted malt to add color and aroma. The hop bitterness is low, but citrus notes can be detected, among aromas of corn nut.
Go: 675 Oceanport Way, Oceanport; 973-352-2842, birdsmouthbeer.com.
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Bradley Brew Project, Bradley Beach
There's nothing wrong with being a basic... beer. Especially during 'pumpkin spice' season.
But there's nothing basic about this whopping 10%, Imperial Brown Ale called "Basic Beer Season."
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This beer's flavor profile is malty, but you'll also notice notes of fall spices in there, like nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla and Blackstrap molasses.
Go: 714 Main Street, Bradley Beach; 732-455-8047, bradleybrew.com.
Carton Brewing, Atlantic Highlands
Carton Brewing's rich, creamy and sweet Basic Coffee (8%) is made with a blend of Sumatran, Columbian and Ethiopian espresso beans, as well as cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, vanilla beans, cardamom, mace and orange zest.
Or try the Festy, a festbier that is light golden in color, with a nimble body and 5.5% ABV. It uses traditional German hops with a hardy yet crisp punch.
Go: 6 East Washington Ave., Atlantic Highlands; 732-654-2337, cartonbrewing.com.
Icarus Brewing, Lakewood
Icarus is keeping things exciting all fall, with some releases now, and more later.
Two available currently are the classic 5.6% Mr. Oktoberfest, and the whopping 14.5% Kalashnikoffee: Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Mr. Oktoberfest is a traditional German M?rzen, transporting you to the beer tents of Munich with every sip. Expect a light, bready malt sweetness with hints of caramel and a Chestnut body.
The bigger hitter is a Russian Imperial Stout brewed with honey, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and then conditioned with fresh coffee and vanilla beans.
By October 11, Icarus will release its remaining fall selection.
The brewery is hosting a release party on Friday, October 13th (very spooky), called the “Build Me Up Butternut World Tour,” with live music, a costume contest and sales of limited edition march.
Go: 1790 Swarthmore Ave. Unit 3 Lot 2, Lakewood; 732-276-6273, icarusbrewing.com.
Little Dog Brewing Co., Neptune City
A little hair of the dog never hurt anyone, especially when it’s pumpkin-flavored.
Little Dog Brewing Co. will be releasing its Pupkin Ale (5%) in mid-October, with notes of fresh ginger, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon.
Also hold out for another fall release, which is coming out in early November – a Spiced Apple Wheat (4.5%), for a soul-warming sipping experience.
Go: 141 Steiner Ave., Neptune City; 732-361-3555, littledogbrewing.com.
Ross Brewing Co., Port Monmouth
Whether you love Halloween for the pumpkin carving or the candy, Ross Brewing Co. has two new beers for you.
Jacktoberfest rings in at around 6.1%, and is a Pumpkin Oktoberfest Lager (or Marzen), perfect to sip while creating your Jack O' Lantern this year. You'll notice notes of candied yams, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, All Spice and pumpkin, with hoppy undertones of Mt. Hood, Saaz and Tettnang.
The Bockenator, an 8% ABV Chocolate Dopplebock, ensures adults won't have to steal their kids' candy this year. It's sweet, but especially malty with Two-Row Pilsner Malt, Carapils Malt, Munich Malt and Carafa II Malt within.
The brewery also just released exclusive collaborations, like the 11% ABV "Gimme S'more of That Stoudt" (with graham cracker, marshmallow and chocolate) made in partnership with Twin Lights Brewing, and the lighter 4.9% ABV Kollab Kolsch, made with Carton Brewing.
Go: 909 Main St., Port Monmouth; 732-835-7677, rossbrewing.com.
Screamin Hill Brewery, Cream Ridge
Screamin Hill Brewery has three fall beers, available on tap or in cans. The first is Pumpkin Pickin' Ale (6.5%), perfect for spooky season and made with pumpkins grown at Bullock Farms in Cream Ridge. There is also brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg and and clove in it, making for a smooth finish with a slight kick.
The classic Oktoberfest (5.7%) is a traditional German-style festbier, making for a malt-forward, rich lager. And lastly, try the Night Owl Porter (6.4%), with roasty notes of warm chocolate — perfect for an chilly, spooky night.
Go: 83 Emleys Hill Road, Cream Ridge; 609-401-2025, screaminhill.com.
Ship Bottom Brewery, Beach Haven
Long Beach Island’s beloved brewery has a few surprises in store, as well as some returning fall hits.
The annual fan-favorite Cider Donut cider (5.5%) is made with fall spices to mimic the profile of apple cider donuts. One of the breweries most sought after annual releases, a Ghostbusters-inspired Hazy IPA called Echo Ghouler (6%), will release October 7 in the tasting room only. It’s dyed green and orange-flavored.
A Mexican Stout (9%) is also releasing on October 14. The brew made with locally roasted Mexican Altura Coffee has cinnamon, ancho and chipotle peppers making for an eye-opening kick.
And while not fall-themed, the brewery collaborated with local celebrity, Food Network’s Chef Britt Rescigno to release a new beer at LBI's Chowderfest on September 30. Beer for Sexy Food, a K?lsch-Style Beer (5%), has aromatic notes of hay and freshly cut grass, which Chef Britt describes as “a total dad beer,” perfect for mowing the lawn or everyday drinking.
Go: 830 North Bay Ave Suite 23, Beach Haven; 609-207-6331, shipbottombrewery.com.
Source Farmhouse Brewery, Colts Neck
Do you have a sweet tooth? Well you've come to your part of this list.
In collaboration with Battleview Orchards in Freehold, Source Farmhouse Brewery is serving and Apple Cider Donut Ale (6.8%), made with real apple cider donuts.
The brew is comprised mainly of a Maris Otter and Munich base malt, but the mash also contains fresh donuts, golden toasted oats and other flavorful malts. During the boil, brown sugar is added for a touch of caramelization, and milk sugar for creaminess.
Battleview's fresh apple cider is also added to the mix, along with cinnamon sticks and Madagascar vanilla to create notes of not only donuts, but the cider and apple pie filling.
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Not sweet enough? Try the Imperial Milkshake IPA, the Apple Cider Donut Shake (7.8%).
It's made somewhat similarly to the Apple Cider Donut Ale, but with more steps and a collaboration with Jersey Freeze in Freehold.
The brew is made with a mash of donuts, fluffy malted oats and wheat, but hopped with Cryo Mosaic. It's also infused with fresh apple cider but after fermentation, they add in vanilla soft serve ice cream, cinnamon sticks and Madagascar vanilla.
Go: 300 Route 34, Colts Neck; 732-431-2337, sourcebrewing.com.
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Twin Lights Brewing, Tinton Falls
Twin Lights Brewing is keeping it classic with a German-style Oktoberfest lager (5.6%).
Crafted with fine malts and hopped with Hersbrucker and Saaz, this golden amber brew offers a blend of floral, earthy and spicy notes, for a velvety finish.
Sippers will notice aromas of toasted malt and caramel, for a truly soul-warming concoction.
Go: 4057 Asbury Ave., Tinton Falls; 732-997-4900, twinlightsbrewing.com.
Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Craft breweries at the Jersey Shore: Must-try seasonal beers
