Manahawkin Brewery Brings Outdoor Drinks To Winter With 'Igloos'

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — New Jersey restaurants have faced a harsh year because of the coronavirus pandemic, and winter weather could further limit their options. One Manahawkin establishment found a way to help them get around that: "igloos."

The ManaFirkin Brewing Company will place several weatherproof domes in its beer garden. Even before the pandemic, owner Todd Hunt found igloos in New York, Philadelphia and Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten in Asbury Park.

New Jersey restaurants can currently provide indoor diners at 25 percent capacity, along with outdoor service. Although the restrictions didn't make things easy for dine-in establishments, the allowance of outdoor dining coincided with the warmer months.

But New Jersey restaurants, bars and breweries might need a solution for the winter. At ManaFirkin, that's where the igloos come in.

"It’s going to be tough, but everybody’s going to kind of have to figure out and do what they can do to survive and get through it," Hunt told Patch. "... Hopefully things start opening up soon, because 25 percent is going to be tough for anybody in the winter."

The igloos are recommended for when its colder than 50 degrees out, Hunt says. But their vents prevent overheating if used in warmer temperatures. And if the weather remains nice, customers can also use the picnic tables and outdoor setups in the beer garden.

ManaFirkin will get five igloos to start. Each has a 12-foot diameter and can fit groups of eight, Hunt says.

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Once their shipment arrives, ManaFirkin will decorate and furnish each igloo. Hunt expects them ready by the second week of November — maybe a bit sooner.

"If we can extend (use of) the outside and give people little places to come outside in igloos," Hunt said, "that helps us to get through the cold winter."

Patch created a Barnegat-Manahawkin business directory for local owners to tell customers whether they're open or closed and how the coronavirus has affected operations.

Click here to see the directory or add your business. Read more: Barnegat-Area Businesses: Open or Closed? Let Your Customers Know

Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

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