Featured NJ Brewery Reviews NJIB Craft Beer Corner

Enjoy Craft Beer by the Bay at Raritan Bay Brewing in Keansburg

June 17, 2019 newjerseyisntboring

Located in downtown Keansburg, sits the family owned Raritan Bay Brewing Company. Open since 2018, the microbrewery is owned and operated by the Benfer family – brothers Jeff, Dan, and Kevin along with mom, Terry.

The brewery is situated in a 19th century brick building, which in it’s past life has been church, a jail and a bank over the course of 125 years. The brewery has done very little to renovate the historical building as it merges the past and future of downtown Keansburg.

While driving to the brewery you’ll notice their fermenting tanks which are visible from the intersection of Church Street and Carr Avenue. Inside their taproom you’ll see their four 7-barrel fermenters up close, as well as see all the tasty beers they have on tap!

Jeff Benfer, a 30-year-old Army veteran, is the master brewer. As a home brewer for over a decade, he decided to open his own brewery. His beers range from a wide variety of styles like hop-forward IPAs, lagers, stout, wheat beer, and seasonal specialties. A lot of their beers are named after landmarks in Keasnburg and it’s surrounding area.

I had a flight of beer which consisted of:
– Bob Kefferweizen – 4.5% Straw colored, cloudy hefe beer. Banana and clove prominent
– Quadzilla – 8.7% ABV Belgian-style Quadrupel ale
– Accomack Cream Ale – 5.7% ABV this smooth cream ale is named for the first ferry to run the Keansburg to New York route
– Applebottom Ging – 10% ABV this stout brewed with ginger and spices, then aged in an applejack barrel

I also tried their Red Beerd (Irish Red Ale, 6% ABV) and their Jurassic Amber Ale. Overall they had 12 beers on tap during our visit!

In addition to their taproom, Raritan Bay Brewing has a great outdoor area with picnic tables and seating. Since we took Holly (well behaved dogs are allowed at the brewery) it was nice to sit outside and make new friends. Shout out to our friends from Keyport who gave Holly their pizza crust!

If you enjoy the beer be sure to grab your beer to go in Crowlers (32 oz cans) or a growler. We took the cream ale to go! (Holly was very excited about it).