USA, NJ: Ross Brewing Co. to open its doors in Middletown on April 14

After more than four years in the making, the area's newest brewery will open this Friday, April 14 in the Port Monmouth/Belford section of Middletown, the Patch reported.

The brewery is called Ross Brewing Co. and they are located at 909 Main St. in Port Monmouth

Patch first wrote about them two years ago, when construction first started at the waterfront brewery located right next to the Belford Seafood Co-op.

Ross Brewing is New Jersey's first and only waterfront brewery — you can pull your boat up to the dock, says owner John Ross Cocozza. They have an outdoor beer garden overlooking the water and views of the NYC skyline.

"We really feel like we've discovered an undiscovered gem in Belford," said Cocozza. "We want the rest of the world to see what an amazing waterfront area this is."

Their grand opening will be 1 p.m. this Friday, April 14 and they will have a celebration party all weekend long through Sunday. Come by for live music, 12 beers on tap plus two new ones being unveiled Friday and celebrity bartenders pouring suds — "These will be local celebrity bartenders from movies filmed in this area," said Cocozza. "I can't say who exactly, but the movie 'Clerks' was filmed right now the road in Leonardo."

Ross Brewing originally planned to open more than four years ago in Red Bank. But they decided to switch to Middletown after permit delays.

They found "the Middletown community and Township have bent over backwards to welcome us," said Cocozza. "All of the bars and stores in town have graciously already started carrying our beers — MJ's, Applebee's, Bottle King, etc. It was a night and day difference working with Middletown and deciding to open here.

The brewery is also steps from the Belford ferry terminal, which offers morning and afternoon boat service to and from New York City.

Ross 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 two new brews unveiled this Friday.

By law, Ross Brewing cannot serve food.

13 April, 2023