Did you get your first vaccine dose in May? You can get a free beer at these NJ breweries – NorthJersey.com

Many New Jersey brewers want you to get vaccinated. So much so, they’re offering a free beer to anyone who gets their first vaccine dose in the month of May.

Just bring proof of vaccination to one of the participating breweries to get your free beer.

The Brewers Guild of New Jersey has teamed up with the governor’s office and the Department of Health to create this initiative, called Shot and a Beer. Gov. Phil Murphy announced the program at his press conference on Monday.

“This was the Brewers Guild of New Jersey’s way of doing our part for the vaccination effort,” said Scott Wells, co-owner of Bolero Snort Brewery in Carlstadt.

Since the announcement of Shot and a Beer, Eric Orlando, executive director of the Brewers Guild, said his phone has been ringing off the hook with people asking about how they can get their free beer.

Other states have created similar programs, with breweries offering free beers to people who got vaccinated. But the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control typically does not permit breweries to offer beer at a discount, which prevented breweries from giving vaccinated customers free beer.

Wells said he was frustrated by the ABC’s restriction, as Bolero Snort is situated across the street from the Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment vaccination mega-site.

The Brewers Guild and the governor’s office worked collaboratively and secured permission from the ABC for the Shot and a Beer program through May.

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Only people who get their first shot in May and are 21 or over are eligible. At the press conference, Murphy hinted that more breweries may soon join the program.

“The goal of it is to get as many breweries signed on as possible,” Orlando said. “The idea is that you can get your vaccination at your local site and go right over for a free beer. The more breweries on board, the better.”

Breweries participating in Shot and a Beer as of May 4:

13th Child Brewery in Williamstown

Alementary Brewing in Hackensack

Angry Erik Brewing in Newton

Battle River Brewing in Toms River

Bradley Brew Project in Bradley Beach

Bolero Snort Brewing Company in Carlstadt

Brix City Brewing Company in Little Ferry

Carton Brewing Company in Atlantic Highlands

Chimney Rustic Ales in Hammonton

Czig Meister Brewing in Hackettstown

Death of the Fox Brewing Company in Clarksboro

Departed Soles Brewing Company in Jersey City

Double Nickel Brewing Company in Pennsauken

Dr. Brewlittle’s Beer Company in Maple Shade

Eclipse Brewing in Merchantsville

Eight & Sand Beer Company in Woodbury

Flounder Brewing Company in Hillsborough

Flying Fish Brewing Company in Somerdale

Forgotten Boardwalk Brewing Company in Cherry Hill

Four City Brewing Company in Orange

Gaslight Brewery and Restaurant in South Orange

Hackensack Brewing Company in Hackensack

Kane Brewing Company in Ocean Township

Little Dog Brewing Company in Neptune

Magnify Brewing Company in Fairfield, Essex County

Man Skirt Brewing in Hackettstown

Montclair Brewery in Montclair

Neck of the Woods Brewing Company in Pitman

New Jersey Beer Company in North Bergen

River Horse Brewing Company in Ewing

Tuckahoe Brewing Company in Egg Harbor Township

Untied Brewing Company in New Providence

Westville Brewery in Westville

Zed’s Beer in Marlton

Rebecca King is a food writer for NorthJersey.com. For more on where to dine and drink, please subscribe today and sign up for our North Jersey Eats newsletter.

Email: kingr@northjersey.com 

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