New Jersey Beer Exclusive at Drumthwacket

From this day forward, only beer from Jersey will be served at Drumthwacket.

Thus decreed Tammy Murphy on October 19, a day that offered stunningly perfect weather for such a prideful Jersey announcement. The state’s First Lady spoke to an intimate group of guests invited to a Jersey beer showcase event at the governor’s mansion. Guests spent the afternoon lingering in a tent outside the mansion, sampling a collection of specialty brews, many of which had recently won national awards.

“This is the fastest-growing craft beer state in the nation,” said Gov. Phil Murphy, who noted that New Jersey now boasts 114 production breweries, with 26 more awaiting final permits. He also pointed out that the state had no breweries as recently as 1994.

Beers at the event included a brew with a kick of habanero from Devil’s Creek Brewery in Collingswood, a citrusy pale ale from Cape May Brewing Company, a bitter/ smooth dry stout from Zed’s in Marlton, an uplifting blonde ale from Angry Erik in Hampton Township, and a fizzy tangerine, hibiscus, and tea seltzer from Forgotten Boardwalk In Cherry Hill.

A brewer’s work is not easy. The owner of a brewery must be able to do both carpentry and marketing, said Kathy Ganser of Devil’s Creek. “I embrace the challenge. Plus, I love beer.”—T.P.