No matter the weather or the climate, beer lovers are always ready to enjoy a pint. Whether it be a shandy in the warmer months, a porter in the cooler months, or a lager for those seasons between, breweries have the beers of the seasons covered. Keep reading on for details on breweries to visit in Montclair + Essex County, New Jersey.
Anheuser-Busch Co | 200 US-1, Newark
This location of Anheuser-Busch Co. is the second oldest of its major breweries. This particular location brews core brands like Bud Light, Busch, Busch Light, and more. While this space is more of a brewing facility, it is the only one to call home in Essex County.
Read More: Must-Visit Rooftop + Outdoor Bars in the Montclair Area
Big Man’s Brew | 37 North Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
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Big Man’s Brew is a tribute to Clarence Clemons, the saxophonist who was an iconic part of the E Street Band. This brewery specializes in brewing an IPA. This Hazy Groove IPA has citrus flavors + a refreshing taste. Center Stage Pale Ale is another + that provides beer lovers with a crisp taste on a warm day. While Big Man Brew’s base sits on North Fullerton Avenue, its beers are shipped and can be found in towns near the Montclair area like Fairfield, Bogota, and more.
Cricket Hill Brewery | 24 Kulick Road, Fairfield
Cricket Hill Brewery is located on Kulick Road and has been serving beer since 2001. The establishment serves beers like ales, lagers, porters, stouts, + more. The Montclair Girl suggests trying the Blonde Breakfast Ale, New Jersey Devil Red Ale, or American Spirit Pale Ale. Indoor seating is available, and outdoor space is open seasonally. Canned beers + growler options are also available.
Four City Brewing Company | 55 South Essex Avenue, Orange
Four City Brewing Company sits on South Essex Avenue and holds 4700+ square feet of brewery fun. Four City has plenty of space at the bar and tables + chairs for beer drinkers to sit and sip in its space. The brewery also holds events such as Jazz Jam, Trivia Night, Turntable Sessions, and more. Beer enthusiasts can try ordering the Four City Stout (brewed with golden promise, crystal 120L, chocolate malt, + a healthy dose of roasted barley) or the Brü Berry (sour ale brewed with blueberry and marshmallow).
Gaslight Brewery + Restaurant | 15 South Orange Avenue, South Orange
This brewery + restaurant is located in South Orange’s city center. The business is family-owned and operated, allowing diners to enjoy a pint + a slice all in one experience. Popular items to try are the Gaslight Burger (fresh ground beef, lightly seasoned and grilled to order, served with a pickle + fries) or the garlic shrimp (crock of tender shrimp, sautéed in a ridiculous amount of garlic with olive oil, bone dust seasoning and a touch of hot sauce) with grilled garlic focaccia. For pie options, try the Olde World Pie (roasted tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, garlic, basil, + parmigiano-reggiano) or the Gaslight Buffalo Chicken Pizza (with chicken, buffalo sauce, mozzarella, + crumbled blue cheese).
Magnify Brewing Company | 1275 Bloomfield Avenue Building 7 Unit 40C, Fairfield
Magnify Brewing Company is a reservation-free space pouring 9- and 14-oz brews for guests in a variety of options. If looking for something on the hoppier side, try Pillow Talk or It’s All Relative. Sour fans should try Glacier Freeze Flavorade (smoothie sour with vanilla ice cream and Glacier Freeze Gatorade). Magnify also has Barely Wine + hard seltzer options.
Montclair Brewery | 101 Walnut Street, Montclair
Montclair’s very own brewery is a great spot to visit near the town’s center to try new brews. Husband + wife duo Leo + Denise took Leo’s home-brewing passion and turned it into the Montclair Brewery business. Reservations can be made and are encouraged for outdoor seating (weather permitting) on the weekends. Some brews to try are Cherry Fresh (sour ale), Hava Guava IPA, MB Bourbon Vanilla Stout, + Spicy Pineapple Pilsner. Hard Seltzers are also available. Montclair Brewery also has a second location coming soon to East Orange.
Newark Local Beer | 538 Broad Street, Newark
New Local Beer is a brewery that provides a tap room for guests to taste in-house brewed beers, and on-site tours, and has beer-to-go options in growler + can form. The brewery welcomes customers to have food delivered to enjoy with their brews. Some beers on tap to try are Easy Rider IPA, Eleanor (German Pils), + Helles Gates (Helles lager).
Redd’s Biergarten | 220 Market Street + 37 Edison Place, Newark
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Redd’s Biergarten is located in the Newark Arts District near the Prudential Center. A great place to stop before or after seeing an event, Redd’s provides a biergarten experience with beer + food menus. For dinner, try having the Boulevard Tank 7 (farmhouse ale) with a traditional Bratwurst. Redd’s also has its brews like the Hofbrau available on its beer menu.
Varitage Brew Works | 58 Washington Street, Bloomfield
Varitage in Bloomfield is known for its own brews + seltzers and for being a soccer-themed brewery in Essex County. There is space inside the brewery at long + small tables, as well as in the bar area. Pop in to watch a favorite soccer team while enjoying a Watsessing Oatmeal Stout, a Varitage Premium Dark Lager, or a Lupo (American Pale Ale).
See More: Your Guide to Wineries + Breweries Near Hoboken + Jersey City
Honorable Mention
Ghost Hawk Brewing | 321 River Road Unit 6, Clifton
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While Ghost Hawk isn’t technically Essex County, it lies close to the border. The Clifton-based brewery opened its doors in 2019 + brews beers on-site, like lagers, IPAs, Belgians, + more. The brewery also has events for guests, like dance parties + trivia nights, on its site calendar. If looking to try something on the draft list, consider the Ghost Hawk Lager, Misguided Retribution (Hazy Pale Ale), or Beira (Strong Scotch Ale).
Raising Cane’s to Open First Essex County Location in Fairfield
Anyone who’s traveled beyond the Garden State knows about the long list of popular fast food chains that we just don’t have (yet), like In-N-Out, Saxby’s, and Whataburger. But come late 2025, Northern New Jersey residents will no longer have to miss out because a Louisiana-founded fast food chicken spot is making its way up Route 46. Raising Cane's, best known for its chicken fingers and signature sauce, has plans to open its first Northern New Jersey location in Essex County at 645 US-46, Fairfield. Read on for what to know about Raising Cane's bringing its chicken fingers and southern charm to Essex County, New Jersey.
The Details
Northern New Jersey residents will no longer have to experience FOMO whenever they see a Raising Cane's mukbang on social media. The South's beloved fast food spot will open on Route 46 in Fairfield sometime this fall or winter at the former Houlihan's, as per NorthJersey.com.
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Read More: Mashed Burgers Soft Opens on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair
As of this writing, there are six Raising Cane's locales in New Jersey, all of which are located in Southern New Jersey. This Northern New Jersey expansion is part of a larger wave of new chains popping up around the Garden State, including in Edison, where it will be the first Central New Jersey site, as per My Central Jersey, and Glassboro, which opened to the public in January. According to NorthJersey.com, the franchise has proposed plans for another spot in Watchung.
Upon opening, locals can indulge in a menu of all things chicken fingers. The restaurant also serves Texas toast, crinkle-cut fries, chicken sandwiches, coleslaw, and its signature Cane Sauce.
About Raising Cane's
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In 1994, Todd Graves proposed an idea in a college business class for a restaurant that only serves chicken fingers. Because his professor believed it wouldn't be successful, his plan received the lowest grade in the class, as per the business's website. Sticking to his original concept, Todd eventually went to the banks to ask for a loan, but no one was willing to try.
After humble beginnings, the franchise first opened at Lousiana State University in Baton Rouge by then-24-year-old Todd in 1996. Todd first planned to name his restaurant Sockeye’s, "as a tribute to his time in Alaska," the website reads. But after working on the franchise's first construction site, he named the company after his Labrador, Raising Cane.
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What first started as a campus grub spot has turned into a fast food empire. Raising Cane's now has over 800 locations across the country, with 118 of them opening in 2024.
See More: Alessio’s to Open Casa Italia Gourmet Market in Hoboken on 4/10
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