American Craft Beer Week — a celebration of the country’s craft beer industry and the 110,000 jobs it creates nationwide — is May 11-17. Newbies will discover the reasons behind the renaissance — craft beer reached 11 percent market share for the first time last year — and connoisseurs will be reminded why they love the craft community. Throughout the nation, small breweries will host events that highlight their artisanal and tasty concoctions, and Cape May Brewing Company is among them.
“Beer is steeped in American tradition,” says CMBC Marketing Guru Alicia Grasso. “Not only does participating in this nationwide event allow us to celebrate the artistry of what we create on a daily basis, but it also allows fans to learn more about the growing craft beer industry which we support right here in Cape May.”
On Wednesday May 13, CMBC will host its first ‘Sour Hour’ from 5-7pm in their tasting room. It’s the perfect time to try a pint of their popular Tower 23 — named for a local World War II Lookout Tower — because CMBC staff will be on site to mingle and discuss the light and refreshing Berliner Weisse. They’ll be happy to talk with you about what makes the sour style so tricky – and so rewarding – to produce, and about the 60 recently-acquired oak barrels that are about to do wonders for CMBC’s sour program. Come thirsty.
1288 Hornet Rd, Rio Grande, NJ 08242
On Thursday May 14 will be a Tap Takeover at Wildwood brew pub Goodnight Irene’s, where over 90 craft beers are available. On tap will be CMBC’s Foreshore Cherry Limeaide Shandy, Turtle Gut American Sour, Tripel Wreck Belgian Tripel, Honey Porter, Coastal Evacuation Double IPA, and the last of CMBC’s employee series beers for the summer – Richie’s Super Rad Pale Ale. But perhaps most exciting for the beer nerds out there? The dry-hopped Corrosion Sour IPA, which kicked in the CMBC tasting room in March, will also be on site. Don’t forget to bring your thinking caps — it’s Quizzo night.
2708 Pacific Avenue, Wildwood, NJ 08260-5248
On Friday May 15, it’s ‘Enjoy Your Tastings With The Brewers’ from 5-7pm in the CMBC tasting room, which boasts the largest selection of any in the state. Talk with the men behind the beer about what makes them tick (er, ferment), and what CMBC is doing to push the industry envelope. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even hear about that time the fermenter exploded. Newbies and connoisseurs welcome to come sip and chat.
1288 Hornet Rd, Rio Grande, NJ 08242
For more information on tours, taps, and tastings visit capemaybrewery.com or call (609) 849-9933.