The Best South Jersey Breweries: 2026 Summer Guide

Summer at the Jersey Shore is here.

As I have gotten older, one of the things that I enjoy is staying low-key, hanging with some friends, and checking out the local breweries.

Mapping the South Jersey Craft Beer Scene

South Jersey has a ton. Between Atlantic and Cape May Counties, there are 18 breweries and brew pubs to choose from, with two more in Cumberland County and another 13 in Ocean County.

You can find a good beer this summer, and I am here to help.

Here is a quick pick from each local brewery, and at the end, I will rank my favorite IPAs for the summer of 2026 at the end of this article.

Atlantic County Brewery Highlights

The Buena Connection Brewing Company – Buena

This spot is one of the new spots in Atlantic County. I really like this spot, and if you go, my go-to IPA is The Backroads, which is one of the more consistent ones in the area.

Address: 112 Wheat Rd, Buena

Garden State Beer – Galloway

Garden State is a spot with good beer, but the building doesn't scream brewery. The room itself is very spacious, but the bar area isn't very big. They do have an old, long bar in there, but it's not really in use. When I go, I go with the No'Easter.

Address: 247 E White Horse Pike, Galloway

Hidden Sands Brewery Company – Egg Harbor Township

Hidden on Washington Avenue in EHT, Hidden Sands has a small tap room downstairs and a great upstairs seating area and bar. They added a new IPA called 447 Haze, and it's become my go-to beer when I stop in.

Address: 6754 Washington Ave Ste b, Egg Harbor Township

Somers Point Brewing Company – Somers Point

SoPo is a great little spot, with one of my favorite IPAs, Flake News. The tap room isn't too big, or too small, it's got a good-sized bar and enough seating to fit a good crowd.

Address: 705 W New York Ave, Somers Point

Snouts and Stouts – Hammonton

This spot is in the building that used to be home to Vynal in Hammonton, and offers multiple IPA options. I like the space, though it feels more like a bar than a brewery. I tried a few of their IPA options, but if I were picking one, I think I would go with the Apollo.

One of the key things about this spot is its location, with Brunni's Pizza right across the street!

Address: 300 Unit B 12th St, Hammonton

Three 3’s Brewing – Hammonton

I have been a fan of this spot for a while, and their Back to Reality is one of the first IPAs I ever had. It's a great spot, small bar, nice little taproom, worth the ride to Hammonton, check out the Lost Reality.

Address: 50 13th St, Hammonton

The Seed: a living beer project – Atlantic City

The Seed might be my favorite brewery in South Jersey. Their IPAs are some of the best I have had, regardless of where I have been. My favorite might be one called Little Place, not because it's their best, but it's just a very light, drinkable IPA.

Address: 807 Baltic Ave Unit 4, Atlantic City

Cape May & Cumberland County Pours

Anglesea Aleworks – Wildwood

This is a cool little spot under the bowling alley in Wildwood. It's a small spot, but it's a unique and fun spot to check out in Wildwood. Haze Mat is my beer when I stop by, but they also have a Hard Birch Beer that is worth checking out.

Address: 3401 New Jersey Ave Unit 107, Wildwood

Behr Brewery – Lower Township

Behr is a great spot, with a good bar and seating areas, and it has a really good outside area during the warmer months. I will say, when I go to Behr, I its the one spot that I usually don't drink an IPA. One of the unique beers here is the Rick, a pickle beer, and a Stout called Bunny Slope.

Address: 513 Seashore Rd

Cape May Brewing Company – Rio Grande

I have to admit, I have only been to this well-known brewery one time, but I have tried many of their beers. I like the brewery, which is located at the Cape May Airport, and when I went there, I had Beachcasting IPA, which I think it only available in the taproom.

Address: 1250 Hornet Rd, Rio Grande

Cold Spring Brewery – Lower Township

Cold Spring is one of my favorite places, but it's another spot where I usually don't get an IPA. If you want to drink a beer, I have gone with the Stillwell Imperial Stout.

Address: 733 Seashore Rd

Gusto Brewing Co – North Cape May

Gusto is a great spot, and has one of my favorite IPAs, The Machines Are Learning, so when it's there, be sure to grab it. That's one thing about Gusto, they do switch up the beers often, so if you find something you like, it's not guaranteed to be there next time.

Address: 3860 Bayshore Rd, North Cape May

Ludlam Island Brewery – Woodbine

Ludlam has a big bar and seating area and now serves food, so it's technically now a brewpub. However, many of its beers are still worth checking out, and the food is very good. While I was a fan of their old location and taproom, the new spot, at the former Mouse Trap bowling alley, is a very nice place. They have one of my favorite beers. Water Guns and Rainbows, but definitely check out the Green Gobbler.

Address: 2051 Dennisville-Petersburg Rd, Woodbine

Meyers Lighthouse Brewing – Ocean View

Meyers is a great spot that has some great IPA options and other great beers. It's unique with its mini-golf course and a great outside gazebo with live music and a TV to watch the Phillies and Eagles. Recently, I have been trying their Blue Claw IPA, and the Hole-In-One is another favorite. The taproom is small, but that's what I like about it: I always end up meeting some good people.

Address: 2576 US-9, Ocean View

Mudhen Brewing Co - Wildwood

Like Ludlam Island, Mudhen serves food, good food, but is more of a restaurant than a brewery. I have been here a few times, and we even did a Sports Bash from here for 99 Bottles one year. The place is awesome, especially during the holiday season. I like the beer, one that is my favorite, but I'm not sure if they have on the menu, is a beer called Gander all the time.

Address: 127 W Rio Grande Ave, Wildwood

Obscura Brewing – Cape May Court House

This is the old Bucket Brigade, and I have to say, the beer here is better. I have only been here one time, but I like the place; it's an easy layout, with a small bar area, some picnic tables, and even some outside seating. The beer I had, Fractured Light, might not be on the menu anymore.

Address: 205 N Main St, Cape May Court House

Slack Tide Brewing – Cape May Court House

Slacktide has a ton of great beer options, and their building is a solid spot with both inside and plenty of outside seating. They have a bunch of IPA options, but I think I enjoy the Counter Current the most.

Address: 1879 US-9, CAPE MAY CH

Whale Tale Brewing Company – Cape May Court House

Of all the places, I have to admit, I have been to Whale Tale the least. I was there when it was COHO and visited Whale Tale when it first opened. Neither of the beers I had when I went there is on the menu.

Address: 28 Indian Trail Rd #103, Cape May Court House

Glasstown Brewing Company – Millville

This is a great spot on the grounds of the Millville Executive Airport and is the only active brewery in Cumberland County. I like this spot a lot; it's small, but it has some great beer. I went with the Mosaic Man hazy IPA, but they have plenty of good IPA options and other solid selections.

Address: 10 Peterson St, Millville

Cozy Taprooms Rankings

Forget the beer for a minute; if I were just going by taprooms, here would be my rankings.

1. Glasstown Brewing
2. Meyers Lighthouse
3. Cold Spring Brewery
4. Somers Point Brewery
5. Hidden Sands
6. Behr Brewing
7. Anglesea Aleworks
8. The Seed
9. 3 Three's
10. MudHen

Remember, I like a small, quaint taproom. Many of these spots have their charm, and almost all have their one redeeming quality. All of these thoughts are subjective, but if you like a smaller taproom that has more of a classic brewery vibe, try these out.

So, which brewery are you looking forward to trying out this summer? Let us know in the comments on social media!