Cold Spring Brewery: Drinking in History
While in college a long time ago my favorite subject was history. So, I majored in it. Also, while in college a long time ago, my favorite beverage was beer. You could say I kind of majored in that too. Now, neither of these two loves are particularly unique, I suppose. But it is truly a special treat in life to stumble across a substantive way to enjoy a couple of your favorite pastimes, especially unrelated ones, simultaneously. You can imagine my delight some years ago in discovering Cold Spring Brewery on Route 9 just north of Cape May.
At Cold Spring Brewery, small-batch beer-making merges seamlessly in an early American history experience in a way that is unmatched at least in my acquaintance with the two subjects. And it is this distinctive combination of brewing and history that makes Cold Spring an essential visit for vacationers, regular visitors, and locals all.
The most singular characteristic is that the brewery is in a barn. But wait a minute. This is not just any oldbarn. It is a majestic, heavy timber framed, three-bay, English-style barn originally used for grain threshing, storage, and general farming in the early 19th Century. Its original construction date is estimated to be 1803! The barn’s restoration ten years ago retains a significant portion of the original framing and woodwork, and its dark brown-hued structure presents a warm, even captivating, sight from the parking lot out front.
The peak of the barn’s visual appeal comes upon entering. Inside, patrons are transported back to when Cape May County was a rural farming and fishing community of about 3,000 people and someone named James Madison was President. Adorning the walls are dozens of original period farming tools and artifacts – picks, rakes, hatchets, barrels, hunting rifles, saws, and augers. A three-ring binder provides descriptions-of-use for each tool for the curious and the history nerds like me.
Of course, there are 21st Century additions like Wi-Fi and electricity and other social gathering amenities include a cozy indoor fireplace, two outdoor fire pits, picnic tables, and outdoor games. Tucked in the back but visible are the modern bright silver brewing tanks used to produce that key elixir famously noted by Benjamin Franklin to be proof that “God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
Near the fireplace I sat down with General Manager Sherry Sheldon to learn a touch of the backstory and talk about beer! Of foremost significance is that the brewery, conceived in 2014, is an integral part of the overall Historic Cold Spring Village, a living outdoor museum that recreates early American life in the region. The Village began as the brainchild of Dr. Joseph and Anne Salvatore way back in 1973. It took about eight years of development for the Village to open to the public as a site where visitors could go back to when Cold Spring was a thriving early 19th century town.
After a few changes in ownership and management, the Village today is governed by a 19-member board as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit foundation. Visitors now walk past and through 27 historic buildings on 30 acres that enliven the foundation’s mission of historic preservation, history education and heritage tourism. It is the largest open-air living history site in the Garden State and is listed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places. It also helps that the current popularity of craft beer making allows the brewery to provide marketing appeal for the historic village while making a solid contribution to its operational stability.
And the brew? Well, there are typically upwards of a dozen different styles on tap, which is impressive given the nano-production apparatus. And yes, “flights” (four 4-ounce pours) are available and are a recommended means to introduce yourself to the wares. Available via the 12 draft taps are lagers, a Hefeweizen, two stouts, a porter, a couple pale ales, a couple India Pale Ales, and some specialty/seasonals. There is even a sarsaparilla! In keeping with the historical niche the brewery embodies, several of the beers reflect period appropriate “core” brews such as the Hildreth German Wheat, the Cape May Farmhouse, the Irish Red, and my favorite, the Dennisville Inn porter.
This day, I tuned into my beer muse who directed my voice to order a flight comprised of the Vanilla Milk Stout, which like its style presents a creamy body with flavor hints of vanilla & chocolate; the Cape May Farmhouse which is stylistically akin to brewing of the period yielding a slightly sweet and crisp flavor without notable bitterness; the Ishmael Pale Ale which is an extra hopped pale ale making it a semi-IPA; and the Finley Forge India Pale Ale which is a non-complex, hoppy ale in the West Coast IPA style. Overall, there is a style for every palate and there is periodic rotation to ensure novelty.
As all that happy sipping can incline one to hunger it is important to note that flexibility with food choices exists at Cold Spring. First, patrons can bring in their own food from the outside. Additionally, there are several menus provided in the barn for delivery right to the brewery. And if you just have the munchies there is an assortment of chips and bagged snacks available.
There are also fun activities to complement the imbibing and eating. The brewery offers live entertainment every Saturday afternoon and hosts a popular open mic night every Friday afternoon. There is even a series of fascinating educational lectures fireside chats, usually on a historical topic germane to the area. And key to many, the brewery and historic village are both Fido friendly!
In the end, I believe there are probably quite a few “double majors” in history and beer out there. But certainly, no such lofty attainment is necessary to thoroughly love the Cold Spring Brewery experience!
Cold Spring Brewery is at 733 Seashore Road, Cape May. coldspringbrewery.org
