John Holl

@John_Holl

Lots of new beers being released throughout New Jersey

Bottle and can releases in addition to draft-only selections

Follow breweries on social media for the up-to-date release information.

Brewers are a creative lot and continually looking to come up with new recipes to meet consumer demand. As the number of breweries in New Jersey continues to grow so does the offerings. Here’s a look at some beers that are out now and others that will be available soon.

Wildcats take note: Cape May Brewing Company recently released Demisemiseptcentennial Pale Ale brewed to celebrate Villanova University's 175th anniversary. The pale ale has a generous helping of centennial hops and German pilsner malts. On February 18th, the latest release in their Barrel Aged Series -- The Topsail, a sour Blonde ale, aged in red wine barrels -- releases from their tasting room.

Eight and Sand Beer Co. of Woodbury is releasing a graetzer as part of its “Fresh from our Side Track Series” Brewer Chris Burke used the small pilot system to create the highly roasted, smoky Polish beer, made with smoked wheat. Only 10 gallons available, so it will sell out quickly.

The latest beer in Flying Fish’s Exit Series was released earlier this month. Exit 2 Rosemary Double IPA is 9% ABV and available in 750ml bottles. Brewed with state grown malt, hops, and rosemary, the brewery says “hops and herbs are balanced by flavors of eight different malts: think freshly baked bread and lightly kilned malt. A slight alcohol warmth rounds out his big, resinous double IPA.”

Angry Erik Brewing in Sussex County will host its 3rd anniversary this starting tomorrow and running through Sunday February 19th. As part of the celebration the brewery will release an anniversary beer called Wolves Among Sheep! It’s a bourbon barrel-aged Russian imperial stout at 10.1% ABV with a full-bodied, balanced flavor that comes after the beer spent five months of aging in bourbon barrels. It has robust notes of warming bourbon, vanilla & oak with a bittersweet chocolate finish. According to the brewery the beer is named after “the fierce Vikings who plundered their way through medieval Europe during the Viking Era. These “Wolves among Sheep” stood out in medieval culture as they feared nothing and took everything in their paths.”

Neptune City’s Little Dog Brewing Co. is celebrating its 100th batch with a special release planned for later this month. A winter seasonal is a smoked blonde lager, a first for the brewery. Find it at the taproom and where Little Dog beer is available.

Spellbound Brewing Co. in Mount Holly has announced the next can release in the "so when are you going to can it..." series. A Cherry Belgian Tripel will be released this month and the brewery describes the 8.5% ABV beer as having a soft cherry aroma with a touch of fruity esters from the Belgian yeast that finishes with a touch of honey-like sweetness.

Jersey Girl Brewing of Hackettstown has released its first beer in cans. Rake Breaker is a 6.5% ABV Tropical New England Style IPA brewed with Mosaic and Amarillo hops. The brewery calls it “a tornado of tropical hops will be sure to break your perception of traditional bitter IPAs.”

John Holl lives in Jersey City is the editor of All About Beer Magazine and the author of Dishing Up New Jersey and the American Craft Beer Cookbook. He may be reached via Twitter @John_Holl orJohnHoll@gmail.com.