Pints and Pedals: A Cyclist's Beer Tour of Cape May County
Explore the Shore: A Two-Wheeled Brewery Tour
Looking for a way to sample some of Cape May County's best beers, and get some exercise at the same time? Then grab a friend, your bikes and helmets and check out our recommendations below for short, medium and long-length bike tours centered around a few of the area's best breweries. You can certainly mix and match between the tours, but we've listed only three per loop so you don't get loopy while riding through the County.
Cyclist Short Tour
Distance: 10.6-mile loop
View Route on Google Maps
Breweries:
- Gusto Brewery. Address: 3860 Bayshore Road, Cape May, NJ 08204
- Cape May Brewing Co. Address: 1200 Hornet Road, Rio Grande, NJ 08242.
- Cold Spring Brewery. Address: 733 Seashore Road, Cape May, NJ 08204.
Details: This loop might be short on distance, but it's big on great beers! Head out from the terminal and make your way to Cape May's newly opened brewery, Gusto Brewing Company, located just up the road from the Ferry terminal on the corner of Lincoln Blvd and Bayshore Road. They've got a great local vibe to go along with a bunch of tasty beers on tap.
Next, you can head to one of New Jersey's premier independent craft breweries, Cape May Brewing Co., located at the Cape May County Airport. Tour the facility and sample a wide range of options from Belgians to Stouts to their famous IPA's. If you're hungry, grab a seat at the Flight Deck Diner located near the Naval Air Station Wildwood museum also at the Airport.
From there, head back towards the terminal and turn back the clock with a visit to Cold Spring Brewery, located in historic Cold Spring Village. The Brewery is located in a fully restored barn built in Cape May County in the early 1800's, and features a number of great beers to choose from.
When you get back to the terminal, be sure to stop in at Exit Zero's Boat Drinks for a hard earned meal and a cold beverage!
Cyclist Medium Tour
Distance: 7.7 miles one-way, 14.7 mile loop
View Route on Google Maps
Breweries:
- Gusto Brewery. Address: 3860 Bayshore Road, Cape May, NJ 08204
- 7 Mile Brewery. Address: 1200 Hornet Road, Rio Grande, NJ 08242.
- Behr Brewing, 513 Seashore Road, Erma NJ, 08204
Details: If you're looking to stretch your legs a bit more, this one's for you. From the Ferry, you can make a quick stop a Gusto Brewery which is right on the corner of Lincoln Blvd and Bayshore Rd. After leaving Gusto, pedal your way along the route (mostly bike path), until you reach 7 Mile Brewery, located in Rio Grande. 7 Mile offers a wide variety of beers, and the largest indoor tasting room in the state. There are several options for food nearby, including a few places that will deliver to you at the brewery!
From there, head back towards the terminal, taking time for a stop at Behr Brewing, the newest Craft Brewery in the area that had its opening in early 2022.
When you get back to the terminal, be sure to stop in at Exit Zero's Boat Drinks for a hard earned meal and a cold beverage!
Cyclist Long Tour
Distance: 12.9 miles one-way, 27.9 mile loop
View Route on Google Maps
Breweries:
- Bucket Brigade Brewery. Address: 205 N Main Street, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
- Coho Brewing Co. Address: 28 Indian Trail Rd. #103, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
- Cold Spring Brewery. Address: 733 Seashore Road, Cape May, NJ 08204
Details: Up for a challenge? More interested in pedaling than sipping? Then this one's for you. From the terminal, head north nearly 13 miles into Cape May Court House. Once there, head to Bucket Brigade Brewery, a new brewery founded by two firefighter brothers with deep ties to Cape May County. Choose from a variety of beers, and enjoy the firehouse atmosphere. If you're in need of something to eat, there are plenty of restaurants in the area, including the Court House Diner.
From there, take the bike path down to Coho Brewing Co. Coho Brewing is a newly added brewery that has a law and order theme for its beer choices, such as their "Hazeus Corpus", which is a New-England style IPA, and plenty of other delicious brews!
After stopping at Coho Brewing, take the bike path back to the terminal, and if you're up for it you can make a third stop at Cold Spring Brewery on your way back (see short tour for more info on Cold Spring).
Create Your Own Tour
There are several other craft breweries in Cape May County if you want to stretch your legs and your distance - just remember to leave yourself enough time to make it back! They include:
- Mudhen Brewing Co., located at 127 W Rio Grande Ave, Wildwood, NJ 08260 (9.5 miles from the Terminal)
- Slack Tide Brewing Company, located at 1072 Route 83, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 (21.3 miles from the Terminal)
- Ludlam Island Brewery, located at 9 Stoney Ct, Ocean View, NJ 08230 (25.2 miles from the Terminal)