By Edward Siegel
and Deepak Chauhan
of Somers Point Brewing Company
In your search for a unique yet qualitative establishment to enjoy a good brew, you may have come across one of many unique and highly reputed local craft breweries in New Jersey. The luxury of having an abundance of options to choose from, especially in NJ, was not always the case.
If you are well-versed in the history of craft breweries, you may already be aware of the hardships the industry has experienced in reviving itself. There are still many hurdles in the world of operating and running a small business such as a craft brewery. However, that can be tackled another day or on one of your late-night Wikipedia research sessions. In this iteration, our aim is to provide a brief history of the craft and the history of brewing, its origins, how it has evolved over the years and its present state. So, buckle your seat belts and let’s begin our journey! Disclaimer: We are avid enthusiasts of craft brewing, not historians!
The art of brewing beer has been a “thing” for about 5,000 years. There is no precise historical record but a Sumerian poem honoring the goddess of brewing contains the best evidence of its origin. Often referred to as the “divine drink”, the Sumerians began cultivating grains for breadmaking and somewhere along the line, the process for creating a libation was realized. Perhaps a vessel of sprouting grain was left outside, got wet and began to ferment. Whoever discovered this “mistake” liked what they found and the rest is history, or more specifically, zymurgy.
Brewing then found its way into Egypt where Pharaohs were found buried with jars filled with their favorite brews and eventually to the Greeks and Romans who weren’t as fond of it as they were of wine and designated it as a drink of the “barbarians”. Regardless, the Romans did spread the brewing process into their northern borders where the climate was too cold to grow vineyards, thereby introducing the craft to Europe. Ancient beer was specifically made with grains. However, during the Middle Ages, hops were introduced and have now become an integral part of the recipe.
In ancient times, the brewed beer was not filtered and had grains and other debris floating on the surface. Therefore, beer consumption was often done by individuals sipping collectively from one vessel via reed straws. This habit resulted in beer often being categorized as an important social and communal activity as well as for diplomacy. A beverage shared from one vessel would allow the host to demonstrate to their guests that the drink was not poisoned or of an inferior quality. Even though we now enjoy our favorite brews in our own glasses, the gesture of clinking them together for a toast transports us back in time and symbolizes the unification of our individual glasses into one vessel.
The industrial revolution was a watershed moment in the beer brewing process. The inventions led to immense improvement and efficiency. This allowed the opportunity to drastically scale up production and opened doors to mass distribution. Unfortunately, in order to cater to a large consumer base, unique flavors and styles were often disregarded and sidestepped over more neutral and “mild” flavors that would easily be accepted by the palettes of the masses. In the 1870s, there were 4,100 breweries in the United States. That number would be a high point not reached again until 2015! Additionally, prohibition (1920-1933) saw the demise of more than 1,200 breweries. By 1970, 89 breweries remained. By 1983, only 49 remained and almost all of these remaining breweries were producing American Light Lagers. In 1978, House Resolution 1337 was passed and signed into law, legalizing home brewing and home wine making for personal consumption. These newly legal homebrewers once again began producing fresh, creative, and flavorful beers. Some went “pro” and thus began the US Craft Beer Movement!
In the late 1800s, similar to a neighborhood bakery, butcher shop or hardware store, each town had its neighborhood brewery where one could stop by and indulge in complex and uniquely flavored beers brewed from fresh preservative-free ingredients. The Prohibition era nearly destroyed the small and local craft brewing industry. Some of the big manufacturers had the resources to ride out the prohibition and resume operations but the small local craft breweries had to rise back up from scratch. Many never did. The home brewing law has played an important role in relearning the art form and the lost craft.
One of the biggest motivations for us to establish Somers Point Brewing Company has been the aim to revive that era once again. Our mission has been to utilize our existing skill set in the brewing process yet still be open-minded to new styles and concepts to brew small-batch beers with an emphasis on premium ingredients, quality and flavor. Upon entering our tasting room, you will be greeted by a consistently revolving and diverse lineup of styles and recipes. Grab a pour of what intrigues you the most and enjoy it in our indoor taproom or outdoor seating, as well as fill a Growler to take home.
If this brief excerpt was an enjoyable read, stop by and experience the brewing process firsthand at our brewery. Somers Point Brewing Company is located in the town of Somers Point at the intersection of Route 9 and New York Avenue. All our brews are brewed on the premises! See you soon. Cheers!
