Celebrate the End of the World at Armageddon Brewing

March 16, 2020 newjerseyisntboring

Located in Somerdale, Armageddon Brewing is not where the end of the world starts but where South Jersey cider and mead was born.

Armageddon Brewing is Christian, Matt, Gill, and Kyle; Four New Jersey natives and friends that share a passion for hard apple cider and mead. For the co-founder Christian Annese’s’s case, a misdiagnosis for celiac disease turned into a love of cider and mead which is traditionally gluten-free.

The four co-owners behind Armageddon Brewing — Matt Olsen, Christian Annese, Kyle Laird, and Gill Cornwall. copyright CiderCulture.com

Most incredibly about their story is how hard they bought to start their business. When they first started coming up with plans for opening their brewery, making hard cider and mead was technically “illegal” for their production. For example they did not make the requirement of owning at least 3 acres of land to grow ingredients on. And there were no laws on the books for mead, making it effectively illegal to produce.

Throughout several years of meeting with legislatures, drafting the bill, making concessions, and lots of support from fellow brewers, on May 11th of 2017 their bill was signed into law, making the production and distribution of hard cider and mead in New Jersey legal. Cheers!

They funded their brewery using help from family and friends via Kickstarter. As of December 2019, 208 backers pledged $30,468 to help bring this project to life. Their grand opening was January 31, 2020.

While we were there we sampled a flight of the four ciders and mead they had on tap. The ciders that they make ranged from incredibly dry to sweet and juicy like you were taking a bite from an apple right off the tree.

On the flight:
– Exile; Semi-Dry traditional cider
– Resurrection; Sweet Cider made with Trappist Yeast
– Desolation; A Winter Cider made with mulled spices
– Desire; Blueberry Cider

They have four flagship brews. Unfortunately, Ida’s Heart was tapped out during our visit.

Located in an industrial park, the brewery itself is busy and loud, filled with people (and dogs!). It’s an uncomplicated brewery where patrons are encouraged to bring their own food, grab a hard cider, and hang out.

As one of the only places to make their own cider and mead, Armaggedon is a pioneer in the NJ booze business and I wish them success as their momentum continues to grow.