100 women to brew one mighty beer in Cherry Hill for Womens Brew Day

At least 100 women from breweries across New Jersey will gather Monday, Feb. 3 at Forgotten Boardwalk Brewing Co., in Cherry Hill, to create a beer together.

Brewers and other brewery team members from at least 34 of the state’s craft breweries will craft a 60-barrel Belgian Tripel, The Strongest Woman on Earth, in what organizers say is the state’s largest beer collaboration ever.

These members of the state’s expanding craft beer community include owners, tasting room managers, sales representatives and other brewery team members, according to Alexis Degan of Barrington, executive director of the New Jersey Brewers Association, which is organizing the day-long event with Forgotten Boardwalk.

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“There is a sisterhood in the brewery world that is vibrant and fantastic, and this is a day to celebrate all of these amazing women,” said Degan, in announcing the collaboration. “Women have been brewing since the dawn of time, and you can find us in every aspect of this industry from grain to glass here in our state. The Strongest Woman on Earth is a tribute to all of the rock star ladies here in New Jersey.”

Women’s Brew Day is taking place a month before Women’s History Month, a time when Pink Boots chapters of women brewers throughout the country join in beer collaborations to highlight the role of women in the craft beer industry. New Jersey does not have its own chapter of Pink Boots, but women in the industry wanted to create a way to celebrate their “strength in beer.’’

“We’re trying to carve out something special for New Jersey,’’ Degan said.

In addition to brewing beer, women gathering at Forgotten Boardwalk will “share their experiences and network,’’ Degan added. (The industry event is not open to the public.)

Last year, the first time the Association marked Women’s Brew Day, 13 breweries and 30 brewers collaborated to brew two barrels of a blood orange and lavendar pale ale.

The Strongest Woman on Earth, which features a woman in a strong man suit playing Ring the Bell at a carnival or sideshow. It is in keeping with the boardwalk and carnival-style labels that come from Forgotten Boardwalk, and that brewery’s smiling cat logo replaces the bell.

“It is going to be a fun project to have this many people working on one brew together,” said Jamie Queli, owner of Forgotten Boardwalk and Association president, in an announcement. “Last year gave us the unique opportunity to chat and share our industry experience, and we’re tripling down this year. It’s gratifying to see so many different women at different stages of their career, and in different walks of life coming together for this shared goal.’’

Beer lovers will be able to try The Strongest Woman on Earth in March at the Cherry Hill tasting room, as well as at retail locations throughout the state where Forgotten Boardwalk is sold. Release parties will also be held throughout New Jersey and the beer will be tapped at the Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival on April 3 and 4.

In addition to Forgotten Boardwalk, participating breweries include: Alementary Brewing (Hackensack), Alternate Ending Brewing (Aberdeen), Angry Erik Brewing (Newton), Axe and Arrow Brewing (Glassboro), Bonesaw Brewing (Glassboro), Bradley Brew Project (Bradley Beach), Cold Spring Brewery (Lower Township), Czig Meister Brewing (Hackettstown), Devil's Creek Brewery (Collingswood), Double Nickel (Pennsauken), Eclipse Brewing (Merchantville), Eight & Sand Beer Co. (Woodbury), Four City Brewing (Orange), Ghosthawk Brewing (Clifton), Gusto Brewing (North Cape May), Hidden Sands Brewing (Egg Harbor Township), Highrail Brewing (High Bridge), Jersey Cyclone Brewing (Somerset), Jersey Girl Brewing (Hackettstown), Kings Road Brewing (Haddonfield), Krogh's Restaurant and Brewpub (Sparta), Ludlam Island Brewery (Ocean View), Man Skirt Brewing (Hackettstown), Montclair Brewery (Montclair), Screamin' Hill Brewery (Cream Ridge), Third State Brewing (Burlington), Toms River Brewing (Toms River), Twin Elephant Brewing (Chatham), Two Ton Brewing (Kenilworth), Untied Brewing (New Providence), Vinyl Brewing (Hammonton), Westville Brewing (Westville) and Zed's Beer (Marlton).

“I love the relationships I saw form last year,’’ said Degan, who added that her organization represents about 65 of the state's 114 breweries. “I am really excited to see what comes out of it, what ideas and what energy. We’ve tripled in size in terms of participation, and it’s going to be really cool.’’

The recipe for The Strongest Woman on Earth will be shared with breweries throughout the state who are welcome to brew their own versions, putting their own twist on it, Degan said.

In addition, Hidden Sands has donated two white wine barrels to the project, so some Strongest Woman on Earth will be aged in them and released later at Forgotten Boardwalk. “It’s the gift that keeps on giving,’’ Degan said.

For updates on releases, visit njbeer.org/ and forgottenboardwalk.com/

Tammy Paolino covers restaurants, breweries, food trucks and arts events for the USA TODAY New Jersey Network. She’s an award-winning reporter and editor who has covered the Garden State for more than 30 years. Reach her at tpaolino@gannett.com or 856-486-2477 or on Twitter @CP_TammyPaolino. Help support local journalism with a Courier-Post subscription.