Cheers! Asbury Park Now Has It’s Own Downtown Distillery
Asbury Park Distilling (527 Lake Ave) is the newest New Jersey distillery. They are also the first distillery in New Jersey to exist in a commercial downtown area, and Asbury Park is definitely the place to be.
Zack Ohebshalom, Rob Wile, and Andy Karas are the main co-founders and partners (there are 6 total) of Asbury Park Distilling. After work 11 years in the liquor business, Zack decided that he wanted to build his own distillery after the laws changed in New Jersey in 2013. Andy is a zoning attorney in Asbury Park, so the planets aligned to start the planning in a city that was happy to have them.
One of the cool things about visiting the distillery in person is getting to see how their liquor is made. The distillery has state of the art equipment from CARL Artisan which they had custom made in Eislingen, Germany.
When you take the (free) tour, you can learn about the process of their craft. You can also find their head distiller, Bill Tambussi (who holds a Master’s Degree in Distilling from the prestigious Heriot-Watt University in Scotland), making their soon to be famous vodka and gin. Bourbon is coming soon!
Everything you drink at the distillery is made 10 ft away from where you drink it in the tap room! If you’re coming for the free tour, you might as well grab a drin. I mean, check out this gorgeous tasting room:
Their head mixologist John Peet relocated from Nashville, TN to manage their tasting room. Every cool thing you drink at Asbury Park Distillery is concocted by John, including Huckleberry’s Tonic made with Asbury Gin, Blackberry, Jalapeño, Sage, and Tonic Syrup. Look how pretty!
I’d also like to note that their vermouth and bitters for their cocktails are made on premises as well.
For vodka fans you can get their spin on a traditional drink, like the Asbury Collins. Made with Asbury Vodka, this take on the Tom Collins includes cilantro syrup, cucumber, lemon soda, and tajin.
One of the things I really loved at Asbury Park Distilling was their mission to keep things local. They get their corn, rye, and barely from a farm in Monmouth County. Their Bartender’s Breakfast is made with cold brew from Cafe Volan in Asbury Park. (It’s also an amazing cocktail, it’s like an alcoholic iced coffee).
Looking for a cool souvenir? The distillery sells their vodka and gin, t-shirts, patches, and super cool candles made with their liquor.
Asbury Park is emerging is the cool place for food and culture, so Asbury Park Distilling is an awesome addition to downtown.
Cheers Asbury Park Distilling! Welcome to New Jersey!
For more information on Asbury Park Distilling visit their Website, Facebook, and Instagram. They are open Thursday – Sunday.
