As the nexus of North Jersey’s most upbeat Oktoberfest celebrations, Hackettstown and the surrounding area are naturally home to several of the Garden State’s best breweries. Excellent craft beers and good times await at each of these popular brauhӓuser, just a short trip away for your designated driver. Here are the seven best Hackettstown breweries, including a couple that rank among our favorite Hackettstown activities and top Hackettstown restaurants.
1. Czig Meister Brewing
Conveniently located along Main Street (Route 46) in the heart of Hackettstown, our friends at Czig Meister Brewing brew more than 50 beers across the year. The flagship brews here include the dry, crisp Huntsman Kolsch, the hoppy and lightly citrusy Falconer Hazy Session IPA, and the roasty, chocolatey Blacksmith oatmeal stout. The beer isn’t the only highlight — the weekly trivia nights every Thursday at 7 p.m. are the other big must-try.
- Address: 106 Valentine St, Hackettstown, NJ 07840
- Distance from High Street Dispensary: 3 minutes / 0.9 miles (or a 23-minute walk!)
2. Man Skirt Brewing
Located just steps from Czig Meister, Man Skirt Brewing offers its own refreshing spin on a classic Pilsner alongside smooth English pub ales and robust porters with coffee-forward flavors. It started in owner and head brewer Joe Fisher’s basement, where he began brewing as a hobby in 2008 before launching the brewery in late 2015. As the name “Man Skirt” suggests, you’ll see kilts galore when you swing by to enjoy a brew or non-alcoholic soda.
- Address: 144 Main St, Hackettstown, NJ 07840
- Distance from High Street Dispensary: 3 miles / 0.9 miles (or a 24-minute walk!)
3. Jersey Girl Brewing
At Jersey Girl Brewing, beers derived from meticulously chosen hops and grains bring flavor as bold as the food trucks often parked right outside. Its Belgian Tripel is among the strongest flagship beers at any Hackettstown brewery, with a whopping 10% ABV alongside herbal and fruity notes. For anyone in your crew who’s not much of a beer person, the hard seltzers are also a refreshing delight.
- Address: 426 Sand Shore Rd #1, Hackettstown, NJ 07840
- Distance from High Street Dispensary: 10 minutes / 4.7 miles
4. Chilton Mill Brewing
Located in Long Valley, in Morris County just across the Warren County line, Chilton Mill Brewing offers a diverse selection of in-house pours and 32-ounce Crowlers to go. Its tap list rotates regularly, putting forward the current best of IPAs, kellerbiers, and doppelbocks. Its name comes from owner and head brewer Mike Peachey’s family roots in England’s Suffolk County, once home to a non-functioning but still present gristmill called the Chilton Street Mill.
- Address: 59 East Mill Rd, Long Valley, NJ 07853
- Distance from High Street Dispensary: 18 minutes / 7.9 miles
5. Long Valley Pub & Brewery
In roughly the same part of Long Valley as Chilton Mill lies New Jersey’s most award-winning brewpub, and the rare brewery that also offers a full food menu. At Long Valley Pub & Brewery, 12 taps of local crafts and brewed beers go hand in hand with big dinner sandwiches and Sunday brunch empanadas. There’s also rich history here: the building in which the brewery operates was first built in 1771.
- Address: 1 Fairmount Rd, Long Valley, NJ 07853
- Distance from High Street Dispensary: 17 minutes / 7.4 miles
6. Burnt Mills Cider
Not all breweries spotlight beer. Burnt Mills Cider in Bedminster is known for its dry sparkling cider, lavender haze beverage, and crisp pear option. Since it’s the rare brewery near Hackettstown dedicated to cider, it’s well worth a visit far outside the fall season most associated with this apple drink. Plus, there’s a pizza, diner-style, or lobster food truck on-site almost every Thursday through Sunday.
- Address: 3540 US-206, Bedminster, NJ 07921
- Distance from High Street Dispensary: 29 minutes / 15.4 miles
7. Fort Nonsense Brewing
Don’t let the name fool you — the folks at Fort Nonsense Brewing take their craft seriously. So seriously, in fact, that they invite you to learn how they brew their IPAs, porter, and lagers while you visit. Or, if you’re more drawn to the nonsense side of things, you can play board games or have a blast at trivia night. Fort Nonsense is also a great space for reading a book or sharing some outside food with friends.
- Address: 220 Franklin Rd, Randolph, NJ 07869
- Distance from High Street Dispensary: 30 minutes / 24.5 miles
Does Hackettstown have any distilleries?
Yes, Hackettstown has one distillery if you’re looking for cocktails instead of beer. Living Spirits Distillery and Cocktail Bar, located just down the road from Czig Meister, offers a smoky Old Fashioned, a fruity and floral vodka cocktail called the Primavera Mule, and so much more. It’s also home to alcohol-free options (including Czig Meister’s zero-proof beer) and some light food options. It’s the only distillery not just in Hackettstown but the greater Hackettstown area.
Living Spirits is at 300 Valentine St, Hackettstown, NJ 07840, a three-minute drive and one-mile distance from High Street Dispensary. If you’re walking instead, that’s just under half an hour.
Should you pair cannabis and alcohol?
No, you shouldn’t pair cannabis and alcohol since their combined effects are often considered unpleasant. Many consumers find it best to enjoy just one at a time.
Go with alcohol if you’re seeking a “social lubricant” and a well-flavored beverage, or choose cannabis for both instead. THC drinks are why, during Dry January, folks swap alcohol for cannabis!
Whereas social support is the main effect drawing people to alcohol, cannabis offers a variety of other potential effects such as inspiration, energy, focus, and relaxation. With these commonly cited effects, cannabis may make a great companion for activities like Hackettstown hikes, whereas alcohol may impair your coordination too much for a trail stroll.
Shop craft New Jersey cannabis at High Street
Where breweries in and around Hackettstown excel at brewing craft beer, High Street Dispensary connects you to craft cannabis cultivated right in our area. In our inviting, friendly, judgment-free environment, we make it easy to ask all your questions about the plant and get recommendations tailored to your exact goals. Shop with us for cannabis flower, concentrates, vapes, edibles, and more that, like nearby breweries, represent the best of Jersey craft.
