USA, NJ: Wander Back Beerworks joining the craft beer scene in Vineland

Wander Back Beerworks is joining the craft beer scene in Vineland, the Courier Post reported on April 22.

It will become the second brewery in Cumberland County, joining Glasstown Brewery in Millville.

Wander Back Beerworks was founded by three veterans in the brewing industry, all with previous ties to Cape May Brewing Co.

They are Christopher Henke, a founder of Cape May Brewing; Brian Hink, its original head brewer; and Justin Vitti, former general manager of sales and distribution.

All have a combined 33 years of experience in brewing and distribution.

Wander Back plans initially to self-distribute through Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, and Gloucester counties, in late May, prior to having a tasting room or brewery.

While they continue to work with Vineland to secure a downtown location, they have been brewing out of Hidden Sands in Egg Harbor Township.

“I’m a builder,” Henke said in a press release. “And I wanted to get back to building something new. Cape May was great, and I’m proud of what I helped build there, but it was built. It was time to move on."

Wander Back is planning to release two beers at launch: Wander Back Lager and Perfectly Cromulent IPA. A third, Future Proof Pils, will follow closely behind.

“We gave our place in a crowded market a lot of thought,” Vitti added. “There’s so much overly sweet, overly juicy, overly hoppy beer out there, and, at the end of the day, we wanted our beer to be appreciated by everyone, not just one segment or group of beer drinkers.”

Hink knew he wanted to be in Vineland, which he calls a “huge agricultural hub.”

Vineland is also close to Rabbit Hill Farms in Shiloh, a premier source of malted grain in South Jersey. The trio plans to use all local grain.

“It’s as local as it gets. It’s in Cumberland County,” Hink added. “It’s really a happy accident that they’re that close.

“There are 144 breweries in New Jersey, and if you look at the map on newjerseycraftbeer.com, there’s a gigantic hole in Vineland. A few have tried – it seems like a logical place to open a brewery.”

23 April, 2024