Everything You Need to Know About the Hunterdon Beer Trail

The Brewery Passport is a fun way to explore all seven breweries of the Hunterdon Beer Trail as well as the small towns and scenic countryside of Hunterdon County.  The 2023 Brewery Passport is available for a limited time through September 2023 or while supplies last. It’s simple – visit each brewery, get a stamp, and earn a collectible hat! 

The Brewery Passports contain info about each brewery, a space for a stamp, and a QR code which links to the current tap list.  Pick up a free passport from any brewery on the Hunterdon Beer Trail, and explore craft beer in picturesque and friendly Hunterdon County! 

The beer trail passport program is designed for anyone who enjoys exploring local craft breweries and trying new beers. This includes locals who are interested in discovering new breweries in their area, as well as visitors who are looking for unique experiences and want to explore the local craft beer scene in Hunterdon County.

The program is also suitable for beer enthusiasts, hobbyists, and people who enjoy socializing and meeting new people. The beer trail passport program can be a fun and engaging way to connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for craft beer and support local businesses.

What You Need to Know about Brewery Passports

1. Brewery Passports can be picked up at any brewery on the Hunterdon Beer Trail during business hours through September 2023, or while supplies last.

2. If you don’t see a passport, ask for one from your beer tender.  They are free!

3. Hours vary by brewery, so check online before you go! 

4. Odd Bird Brewing is a cool micro brewery with awesome beer and limited hours so plan to visit when they are open Thursday-Saturday. 

5. To earn your HBT hat, visit each of the seven breweries and get your passport stamped.  Redeem your passport at any brewery by September 2023. 

6. It’s really fun to collect stamps!  Each brewery has a unique one. 

7.  Ordering a flight is a great way to try new styles and flavors. 

8. Ask to sample “Trail Mix 3” beer – brewed using ingredients from NJ!

9. Seasonal Brewery Passports promotions have been launched 2 times per year, and each season’s collectible is unique and dated. Cool! 

10. Age 21 and over please. 

    

A Guide to the Hunterdon Beer Trail 

The Hunterdon Beer Trail (hunterdonbeertrail.com) is an online guide to Hunterdon County’s seven craft breweries including maps, tap lists, and events. It is comprised of Odd Bird Brewing (Stockton), Lone Eagle Brewing (Flemington), Conclave Brewing (Raritan Township),  Descendants Brewing Company at the Old Ship Inn (Milford), Sunken Silo Brew Works (Lebanon), and Readington Brewery & Hop Farm (Readington).

Odd Bird Brewing

10 Risler St, Stockton, NJ 08559

Located near the Delaware and Raritan Canal Towpath, Odd Bird shares space with a service station, and oddly enough, the space is delightful. The tasting room was designed and built by hand by local owners/brewers Adam Juncosa and Karen Malzone. The tables and bar were constructed and finished by the pair from a single red oak tree, and the attention to detail and craftsmanship extends to their beer making.

Brews: Known for classic, clean styles of traditional beers.  On tap, you may find a Kolsch, Pilsner, assortment of Sours, or a draft from the hand-pulled cask.

 Interesting Fact:  Spent grain goes to the neighbors at the Gorgeous Goat Creamery and Haxton Homestead to feed the animals.

Lone Eagle Brewing

44 Stangl Rd, Flemington, NJ 08822

Lone Eagle Brewing and the historic Stangl Factory complex are two anchors of bustling Stangl Road – a lively street that is often the site of festivals and events. Art galleries, shops, and restaurants are all within walking distance. Spacious patio seating surrounds Lone Eagle. Inside the light and airy space includes a large tasting room and a private events space on the second floor. Owners Bob & Caroline and Todd & Diane are friendly hands-on owners who recently celebrated the 5th anniversary of the brewery.

Brews: Serving a variety of styles in both lager and ale varieties, as well as kettle sours, Kolsch, Porters, Stouts, and IPAs. Award winners include: Maiden Flight West Coast Style IPA and Station Lager (Vienna style lager).

Interesting Fact: Historic Flemington was the site of the infamous 1935 Lindbergh trial. Additionally, Charles Lindbergh, the first to fly solo, non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean, was known as the Lone Eagle, and hence the name Lone Eagle Brewing is a nod to local history.

Conclave Brewing

11 Minneakoning Rd, Raritan Twp, NJ 08822

Conclave Brewing is owned by Hunterdon residents Carl Alfaro and Tim Bouton. Tucked into a nondescript industrial building, the picnic tables, hanging lights, and outdoor patio let you know there’s something special going on. Inside a sleek and spacious taproom serves up renowned craft brews, and on the weekends live music can be found indoors or outside on the large patio.

Brews:  Serving a well-rounded tap list, including customer favorite Gravitational Waves hazy IPA. The owner/brewer’s favorite is Clearly Pils Pilsner.

Interesting Fact:  The spacious taproom and brewery used to be an indoor basketball court.

Descendants Brewing Company at the Old Ship Inn

61 Bridge St, Milford, NJ 08848

Joe and Ana David chose the name “Descendants” as a nod to their family history and the legacy of the Old Ship Inn, built-in 1879.  The site has been a tavern, a speakeasy, a bakery, and the site of New Jersey’s oldest craft brewery which opened in 1995.  Inside the pub retains its European charm with rich details including exposed beams and an original Victorian tin ceiling.  Additionally, Descendants Brewing is a brewpub with a full liquor license and food menu, and both food and drink selections artfully represent the history and flavors of the UK, Belgium, Germany, and the US.

Brews:  Serving a rich mix in different styles and traditions including “Flashback Series” – traditional British brews; “Descendants Ales” – inspired by Joe and Ana’s German, Belgium and American heritage; and “Hidden Nation” brews which highlight unexpected flavors from around the world. “August Toth’s Cocktail Menu,” named after the speakeasy’s proprietor, features specialty drinks crafted with fresh ingredients and homemade syrups.

Interesting Fact:  Descendants features an extensive collection of over 200 whiskeys from Scotland, Ireland, and the US. They offer whiskey flights and host a whiskey club and tasting events. 

Sunken Silo Brew Works

1320 US Hwy 22, Lebanon, New Jersey 08833

A small craft brewery in the middle of Hunterdon County, Sunken Silo is on Route 22 West in Lebanon, NJ.  Inside, the brewery is clean and modern, with soaring ceilings and an open airy feel. The beer garden is under a big tent and is over 2,000 square feet.  It has wind protection and heaters make it a year-round destination. Local music compliments the scene, check the website for schedules.

Brews: Serving a broad selection of approachable beers in a variety of styles, the beer menu is conveniently organized into “Hop Forward,” “Not Hop Forward,” and “Jazzy, Spicy, Tart, Funky.”  Customer favorites include Bearded Flannel Cat, a New England style IPA, and Wystouti an American nitro stout. A brewer’s favorite is Deemed Essential, a pilsner.

Interesting Fact: The name Sunken Silo is a homage to the farming village that used to exist on the site of the Round Valley reservoir.  In the 1960s the state of NJ bought up properties to create reservoirs, and an underwater “ghost town” was created, the remains of which now sit 200 feet below the deepest reservoir in New Jersey. 

Readington Brewery & Hop Farm

937 US Highway 202 S, Readington Township, NJ 08853

Founded in 2019, the Readington Hop Farm is one of the largest hop farms in the State of New Jersey. Owners Dan Aron and Braun Kiess opened the “Bine to Stein” ™ or “field to glass” brewery in 2021.  The family-friendly farm and brewery features a tasting room, large wrap-around porch, and stunning views of their farmland.

Brews:  By combining farm-fresh ingredients with both traditional and adventurous brewing styles the Readington Brewery creates “one-of-a-kind craft beers, with a relentless focus on quality and taste.”

Interesting Fact:  Readington Brewery & Hop Farm is the only farm in the Northeast growing Michigan Cooper™ a new varietal of hop developed by Great Lake Hops. The brewery produces exciting new brews that “embody the uniqueness of this hop and our terroir.”

Note: NJ law prohibits craft breweries from serving food. All Hunterdon craft breweries allow guests to bring food, and takeout and delivery options are available from nearby restaurants. Descendants Brewing is a brewpub with a full liquor license and food menu. 

Click here to learn more about the vineyards, cideries, farms, and foodie delights of Hunterdon County.

Visit hunterdonbeertrail.com for more info and to sign up for our monthly newsletter.  Cheers!