We're down to eight contenders in our search for N.J.'s best craft brewery.

After 500-plus nominations and 15,428 votes, we have the Elite Eight in our happy/hoppy version of March Madness.

The top four vote-getters in our online poll comprise half the field; I picked the other four. Several peoples' picks may have been my own if they had not been voted in.

As with our previous N.J.'s best competitions - best bar, best burger, best diner, best Italian restaurant, best ice cream shop, best sub/hoagie shop - it was impossible to pick my half of the field; there are 83 operating craft breweries and brew pubs in New Jersey, according to newjerseycraftbeer.com

But tough choices again had to be made. I relied heavily on all those online recommendations and e-mails, especially those that provided detailed info on a favorite place. The semifinalists are spread, as usual, around the state, and are a nice mix of heavyweights and relative unknowns.

I'll visit our Elite 8 this week: Thursday, March 23; Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26. Check back later for the day-by-day schedule of semifinalist visits.

On Tuesday, March 28, we'll announce our Final Four, and visit those breweries that weekend. Our winner will be revealed live on nj.com the week of April 3.

Here are our semifinalists; congrats to all who advanced.

THE PEOPLE'S PICKS

Cape May Brewing Co., Lower Township

Carton Brewing Co., Atlantic Highlands

Kane Brewing Co., Ocean Township

Village Idiot Brewing Co., Mount Holly

PETE GENOVESE'S PICKS

Demented Brewing, Middlesex

Eight & Sand Beer Co., Woodbury

Magnify Brewing Co., Fairfield

Twin Elephant Brewing Co., Chatham Borough

Peter Genovese may be reached at pgenovese@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @PeteGenovese or via The Munchmobile @NJ_Munchmobile. Find the Munchmobile on Facebook and Instagram.