New Jersey knows how to stand out in a crowd.

We dominated the Academy Award nominations, let every other state know exactly what we think of them and own social media with our official state Twitter account.

It should come as little surprise then when, in the midst of beers from across the country and around the world, Jersey fresh products reign supreme.

That was certainly the case when the Asbury Park Beerfest returned to the historic Convention Hall on the Asbury Park Boardwalk for three sessions across Saturday, Jan. 25, and Sunday, Jan. 26.

BEER HISTORY: Why craft beer boomed in NJ in the 2010s

JOIN US: Tickets on sale for Jersey Shore Influencers: Craft Beer Edition on Feb. 13

The festival, a local fixture since 2011, was presented by the Asbury Park Boardwalk and 95.9 WRAT-FM, with this year's event supporting charitable organizations Best Day Foundation, Clean Ocean Action, Officer Down NJ and Hops for Awareness.

With 64 craft breweries alongside a selection of "retro beers," 16 of them — a full quarter — were local products.

[ Download our mobile app or purchase a digital subscription for all the latest entertainment news. ]

New Jersey craft beers sampled at the 2020 Asbury Park Beerfest included:

Asbury Park Brewey (Asbury Park)

Avalon Brew Pub (Avalon)

Belford Brewing Company (Belford)

Big Man's Brew, brewed at Flying Fish Brewing Company (Somerdale)

Cape May Brewing Company (Cape May)

Cricket Hill Brewery (Fairfield)

Flying Fish Brewing Company (Somerdale)

Hidden Sands Brewing Company (Egg Harbor Township)

Icarus Brewing (Lakewood)

Jersey Girl Brewing Company (Hackettstown)

Last Wave Brewing Company (Point Pleasant Beach)

Raritan Bay Brewing Company (Keansburg)

Red Tank Brewing (Red Bank)

Source Brewing (Colts Neck)

Toms River Brewing (Toms River)

Wet Ticket Brewing (Rahway)

That's a robust, eclectic lineup in terms of operation size, geography and preferred styles, and throughout Sunday afternoon's session these players in our state's ever-growing scene brought their A-game.

Thick, hazy, north east India pale ales have been all the rage in recent years, and that particular style was well represented at the festival. Lakewood power player Icarus Brewing had one of their flagship products, Yacht Juice, on hand, while Red Bank destination Red Tank Brewing featured their robust Hazy Cosmic Jive IPA.

A few new operations entered the fray, too: Big Man's Brew, inspired by late E Street Band member Clarence Clemons, showcased its Hazy Groove IPA, brewed by the folks at Flying Fish Brewing Company in Somerdale. An unfiltered 6 percent ABV NEPIA brewed with Citra and Mosaic hops, Hazy Groove is a mellow, approachable session sipper that should receive a warm welcome here at the Jersey Shore.

Colts Neck newcomers Source Brewing came close to breaking the Internet last week when they announced ELIte Tribute, a NEIPA brewed in honor of retiring New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning. The limited can release sold out quickly, and Beerfest was one of the few places to try the beer.

ELIte Tribute lived up to the considerable hype. This 8 percent ABV imperial NEIPA had soft and subtle berry notes and a pleasant complexity. Here's hoping it makes a comeback at some point. For their efforts, Source was named best New Jersey brewery by Asbury Park Beefest attendees (with Ommegang/Duvel taking overall best in show).

FOR SUBSCRIBERS: How craft beer benefits local charities

There was plenty of great local product showcased outside the world of IPAs as well; Cricket Hill Brewery out of Fairfield's East Coast Lager was a relaxed, Helles-style offering that would make for a great hang out beer, while Hidden Sands Brewing Company from Egg Harbor Township's Golden Ale was bright and vibrant, with plenty of notable depth on the back end.

Darker beers got plenty of time in the spotlight, as well; hometown players Asbury Park Brewery brought out a Rauchbier smoked lager brewed with Beechwood smoked malts and noble hops that was an awesome attention-grabber.

[ The trusted place to find the best home service providers. Find local pros. ]

Rahway's Wet Ticket Brewing showed off an imperial oatmeal stout that was warm, toasty and incredibly inviting, a comforting fireside chat of a beer that boasted a sneakily mighty 8.6 percent ABV.

Last Wave Brewing Company from Point Pleasant Beach also entered the coffee beer fray with Late Takeoff, an imperial coffee brown ale that, despite a hefty 8 percent ABV, was an easy-drinking creation that gave both its coffee and beer flavors plenty of room to shine.

Want to learn more about New Jersey's flourishing craft beer scene? Hear the folks behind Carton Brewing, Kane Brewing Company, Little Dog Brewing Co. and Bradley Brew Project speak at our Jersey Shore Influencers: Craft Beer Edition event happening 7 p.m. Feb. 13 at iPlay America in Freehold.