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The Monmouth County beer scene runs along the shore, from Atlantic Highlands on the Bayshore down to Belmar. Here are breweries in Monmouth County, NJ, worth a visit this season, with taproom addresses and hours from the breweries themselves.
Carton Brewing Company
- Town: Atlantic Highlands
- Where: 6 East Washington Avenue
- Taproom hours: Monday and Tuesday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday to Friday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 7 p.m.
Carton is the Bayshore’s hometown brewery, in downtown Atlantic Highlands. Start with Boat Beer, a 4.2 percent IPA built for long afternoons, or go big with 077XX, a 7.8 percent IPA.
Winter is porter season, and Ship Wreck Porter 2026 comes in at 10 percent.
Kane Brewing Company
- Town: Ocean Township
- Where: 1750 Bloomsbury Avenue, Ocean
- Taproom hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday to Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.; closed Monday
Kane has brewed its flagship Head High, a 6.6 percent American IPA, since day one. Sneakbox, a 5.4 percent pale ale, is the lighter pick.
This fall, look for Donut Shack, a 6.8 percent apple cider donut IPA made with Delicious Orchards.
Beach Haus Brewery
- Town: Belmar
- Where: 801 Main Street
- Hours: Monday to Thursday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, noon to 11 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.
Beach Haus pours more than 20 beers brewed on site and runs a full kitchen and cocktail bar, so it works for dinner, not just a flight. The kitchen closes one hour before the taproom.
Little Dog Brewing Company
- Town: Neptune City
- Where: 141 Steiner Avenue
- Tasting Room hours: Thursday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Little Dog makes small batch ales and lagers with German and English influences, plus seasonal beers, all poured in the Tasting Room and sold to go in 16 ounce four packs.
Despite the name, pets are not allowed, though service dogs are welcome. Check the brewery’s site for holiday hours.
Wild Air Beerworks
- Town: Asbury Park
Wild Air is a small craft brewery in Asbury Park focused on craft lager, mixed fermentation and sour beers. It is a good change of pace after an IPA-heavy crawl.
Pair a Brewery With a Day Out
- Carton: Climb the Twin Lights in Highlands, free in the off season, then head to the Atlantic Highlands taproom.
- Beach Haus: The Christmas Light Show at Belmar Plaza runs Friday, December 18, and Saturday, December 19, 2026, at 6 p.m., so grab dinner at Beach Haus on Main Street first.
- Little Dog: Neptune City is also home to Pete and Elda’s, so a Thursday to Sunday afternoon tasting can end with a thin crust pie.
- Wild Air: Combine a visit with a walk on the Asbury Park boardwalk.
All of these breweries are 21 and over at the bar. Taproom hours shift around Thanksgiving and Christmas, so check each brewery’s site before you go, and plan a ride home.
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