New Middletown Brewery Aiming For Late Summer Opening

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Did you know there is a new brewery underway in Port Monmouth?

Ross Brewing is currently "under construction as we speak and we are hoping for a late summer opening to the public," brewery owner John Ross Cocozza told Patch this week.

Ross Brewing Co. will be located right next to the Belford Seafood Co-op, a bustling seafood market in Port Monmouth, and steps from the Belford ferry terminal, which offers morning and afternoon boat service to and from New York City. The brewery hopes to take advantage of full ferry service making a comeback once the pandemic ends. However, Ross Brewing aims to become a destination site as well: Knock off early on a Friday, and it will make a nice place to drive to to fish and crab right off the brewery's dock, all while enjoying one of their craft brews.

So expect it to be a spot where commercial and recreational fishermen, commuters and tourists alike will all come together over a beer and sweeping views of Raritan Bay. Once they open, tours and tastings will be part of the attractions. Ross Brewing will actually be located on a working dock, and will have a two-story tasting room with views of the New York City skyline.

"We are the only brewery in New Jersey that is approachable by boat," said Cocozza, who lives nearby in Little Silver. "With an outdoor beer garden overlooking the water, fire pits, a gift shop, and the ability for people to fish and crab all they wish, we are truly a unique experience in New Jersey."

Their Instagram feed is already wildly popular, so it's clear people in Middletown and beyond are excited for the brewery to open.

Ross Brewery beers are handcrafted and whenever possible, made with locally-grown Monmouth County ingredients, such as berries, honey, pumpkins and more. Try their Shrewsbury lager, Navesink IPA, Manasquan Wit, Shark River Pils and Iceboat winter warmer ale. Ross Brewing's limited-edition Brux Royale Belgian Chocolate Stout recently won the Best Brew Award at New Jersey’s Beer BBQ Bacon Showdown in Morris Plains, beating more than 100 beers from dozens of New Jersey craft breweries.

By law, Ross Brewery cannot serve food, but the owner says an array of food trucks will always be present.

The next nearest local breweries in Monmouth County are Belford Brewery on Leonardville Road, Carton Brewing in Atlantic Highlands and Alternate Ending in Aberdeen.

Related: Take A Tour Of Aberdeen's New Craft Brewery At The Old Bow Tie

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