It is that time of year again! USA Today has released the competitors in their annual 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards and South Jersey is represented in 3 Categories. First of all, congrats to all of the nominees from South Jersey. New Jersey craft beer has come a long way in the last few years and to have 4 nominees is a big deal. Much Let’s get behind your favorite and propel them to the top of the list!
Best New Brewery in the US
Axe & Arrow Brewing
Located in downtown Glassboro in the Town Square of the revitalized downtown district off of Rowan Boulevard (known to the locals as RoBo), Axe & Arrow opened in the Spring of 2019 after much anticipation. Co-Founders Greg Fletcher and Krystle and Josh Lockman are dedicated to bringing you high-quality beer in a large variety of styles. Using the unique Brewha brewing system which consists of a single piece of equipment that is mash tun, brewhouse, and fermenter all in one piece, the brewery has been able to make best use of their space and gives them the ability to go from raw ingredients to finished product in one vessel. They also have really cool flight cards that are modeled after gaming cards like those in “Magic: The Gathering” which have become quite the sensation amongst their patrons. All of this in a friendly atmosphere in one of South Jersey’s growing college towns.
Core3 Brewing
Located in Clayton, Core3 has quickly become one of the go-to brewery destinations in South Jersey since it’s opening in August of 2019. Owners Alexi Skriapas and Larry Price along with Head-Brewer Nick McMillen have created a fantastic customer experience from the moment you pull into the parking lot until the time you leave. They completely remodeled an old service station to a piece of art, from the rustic decor to the beautiful handmade tap handles, the brewery is visually stunning. And, oh yeah, they make some great beer. Dedicated to making beers of all styles and flavors, Core3 has been putting out some great stuff. They are also one of the few breweries that offer beer cocktails, something that we absolutely love. One of our faves is The Bloody Summit, their take on a Bloody Mary using homemade Bloody Mary mix served over their Hazy IPA, a delicious wake up call for any morning!
Best Beer Bar
Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall
When we compiled our list of 5 Great Beer Bars in Atlantic City, we knew that these guys had to be on it. Now they are up for national recognition in the Best Beer Bar category. With more than 100 beers including many local selections, the Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall has added to the revitalization of one of America’s most well-known cities. AC is more than just a casino town, it is becoming a destination for fine dining, beer, and great spirits. Situated on Tennessee Ave in the Orange Loop, the Beer Hall is also serving up great food from Chef Charles Soreth who has created a great menu featuring really interesting appetizers (Lobster Tater Tots anyone?), award-winning burgers, and a great selection of entrees and desserts to satisfy any palate. And, if that was not enough, they do a great job supporting local artists and musicians from throughout South Jersey with their art decorating their walls and their music filling their stage.
Best Beer Festival
The Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival
The Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival is an annual nominee and it would be really cool to get them to the top of the list because, as we all know, it IS the best beer festival. Much more than a beer festival, this is a true multi-sensory experience of sights, sounds, tastes, and an energy that is unlike any other festival that we have ever been to. Yes there is beer. Yes there is music. But there is also a Silent Disco, keg tossing, axe throwing, great food and cooking demos, unique merch vendors, a Hops Trot, and the best beer-crazed attendees in the nation. In addition, the folks that put on the show launched Atlantic City Beer Week in 2019 with events that occur throughout the week leading up to the festival.
You can vote once per day in each category and the voting ends on Tuesday, March 17th at Noon.
