'Beer Naked Ladies' Microbrewery Proposed In Barnegat

BARNEGAT, NJ — A proposal to build a microbrewery called "Beer Naked Ladies" went before Barnegat's Planning Board. The idea has received some praise from the public, but the concept — particularly the name — has received some pushback from officials.

Beer Naked Ladies Brewing Co. is looking to take over the former property of Candiqueen's, an ice cream and dessert establishment that closed earlier this year. Read more: Barnegat Dessert Establishment Candiqueen's Closes

Some members of the Planning Board criticized the proposal at April 28's meeting, according to the Asbury Park Press. Board members voted to hold off a hearing on the matter.

"I find it offensive to Barnegat that we would have a place that used to be an ice cream parlor ... and then we name it Beer Naked Ladies," said Al Bille, a member of the Planning Board who is also a township committeeman. "That's just my opinion. ... I don't like it."

Board members also noted that a brewery is not currently permitted use in that part of Barnegat's commercial zone.

Click here for the proposal.

But a property location of the location the microbrewery would occupy defended the idea at Tuesday's Township Committee meeting.

"We found that the microbrewery business is booming in this country," Jamie Griffin wrote. "We found that it is more about history, culture and region than it is about drinking. Each microbrewery has its own identity, ingredients and recipes. It's considered more of a craft or an art than a means to become inebriated."

The applicant, Avery Hodgson, was raised in Surf City. She was a state-champion basketball player for Southern Regional. Her mother, Ursula, owns Forest Edge Farm, a Little Egg Harbor stable that provides riding lessons and economic support to children who want to become equestrians.

Mayor John J. Novak that Township Committee couldn't say much about the proposal, since it went before the Planning Board. But he offered kind words about Hodgson.

"She seems, by all accounts in this letter, like an outstanding citizen," Novak said. "I don’t think any of us have anything against a lawful business, whether it’s a microbrewery or a pizza shop or a restaurant. However, to the extent that this is before the Planning Board, any decision or indecision the Planning Board made is subject to a superior court review."

Beer Naked Ladies would feature a tasting room where patrons could tour the facility, learn about the beer-making process, sample beverages and buy packaged product and company apparel.

The establishment would allow customers to get food delivered or bring their own food. Beer Naked Ladies would also offer snacks such as crackers, chips and nuts.

Stafford, Long Beach Island, Little Egg Harbor, Waretown and Forked River also have microbreweries, Griffin said. And they rarely have more than five or six cars at a time unless they're hosting a special event, she says.

At first glance, the name sounds like a reference to rock band Barenaked Ladies. But the name isn't meant for shock value, Griffin says. It's actually a historical reference to Twickenham Fine Ales, a brewery in England credited with the craft-beer revival.

"They came up with a brew called Naked Ladies Beer that was so successful that it went national in England," Griffin said. "This brew was named after a beloved public park called Twickenham Green that is known for it's mermaid sculptures and fountains affectionately referred to by locals as the 'Naked Ladies.'"

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