Cape May NA IPA Coming To Cans

Cape May NA IPA

Cape May Brewing Company is taking one of its most recognizable beers in a new direction, and this time it’s leaving the alcohol behind. The New Jersey brewery is preparing to bring Cape May NA IPA to cans, giving fans a non-alcoholic version of its popular flagship IPA.

This is an interesting addition for Cape May, especially with the continued interest in non-alcoholic craft beer and the growing number of established breweries adding alcohol-free options to their portfolios.

And they’re not starting from scratch.

According to the new can label, Cape May NA IPA will use the same hops as the original Cape May IPA, keeping the floral and citrus character that helped make the flagship such a recognizable South Jersey beer. The brewery is positioning this as a hop-forward non-alcoholic IPA rather than another light beer trying to pass itself off as a craft offering.

That’s a good approach.

The label describes the beer as being loaded with floral and citrus hop notes, with a zesty finish. Those are the characteristics that IPA drinkers generally want, and retaining the original hop profile should give this release a familiar starting point for people who already enjoy Cape May’s regular IPA.

The new Cape May NA IPA is also a natural extension of the brewery’s existing flagship lineup. Cape May IPA has been part of the company’s story since its beginning in 2011, when the brewery delivered its first keg to a local beach bar. Taking that original beer and developing a non-alcoholic version gives the brewery an opportunity to reach another group of drinkers without abandoning the beer that helped establish its name.

The non-alcoholic beer category has changed quite a bit over the past several years. What was once a fairly limited selection of mostly forgettable beers has become a much more interesting part of the craft beer business, with breweries experimenting with IPAs, hazy ales, lagers, stouts and other recognizable styles.

IPA is particularly interesting in this category because hops can provide plenty of flavor and aroma even when alcohol is removed or fermentation is managed to produce a very low-alcohol beer. Getting the balance right isn’t always easy, though. Body, bitterness, aroma and the overall finish all matter, and consumers who regularly drink traditional IPAs are going to notice when something is missing.

Cape May appears to be addressing that challenge by keeping the same hops used in its original IPA. That doesn’t necessarily mean the two beers will taste identical, since the brewing process and alcohol content can have an effect on body and flavor, but it does give the non-alcoholic version a recognizable connection to the original.

The packaging is equally appropriate. The new Cape May NA IPA will arrive in 12-ounce cans, with artwork that clearly identifies it as a non-alcoholic offering while retaining the familiar Cape May Brewing identity. The label also features a New Jersey Proud message and a Cape May theme, reinforcing the brewery’s South Jersey roots.

As for alcohol content, the label lists the beer at less than 0.5% alcohol by volume. That puts it firmly in the non-alcoholic beer category, although it is worth remembering that non-alcoholic beer is not necessarily completely alcohol-free.

There are still some details missing.

Cape May Brewing has not provided a confirmed release date, pricing information or a complete distribution schedule with this initial announcement. We also don’t have a final tasting assessment, so I’ll be interested to see how closely the non-alcoholic version captures the character of the original Cape May IPA once cans begin appearing.

For Cape May Brewing Company, this is a sensible addition to an increasingly competitive beer category. The brewery already has a recognizable flagship, a strong regional identity and a customer base familiar with its hop-forward beers. Bringing those elements into a non-alcoholic IPA makes plenty of sense.

And if the finished beer delivers on the floral and citrus promise printed on the can, Cape May could have another interesting option for drinkers looking for craft beer flavor without a traditional alcoholic beer.

A familiar IPA, a different approach.

Stay tuned for additional release details, availability and more information on Cape May NA IPA as this new non-alcoholic craft beer gets closer to hitting shelves.

Label Text Cape May NA IPA:

Cape May Brewing Company – Non-Alcoholic Cape May NA IPA

Front Label:

NON-ALCOHOLIC BREW

Cape May Brewing Co.

ESTABLISHED 2011

SOUTH JERSEY

FL 12oz

NA BREW

Non-Alcoholic

CAPE MAY (NA) IPA

LOADED WITH FLORAL AND CITRUS HOP NOTES

CONTAINS LESS THAN 0.5% ALC BY VOL

Back Label – Profile:

NEW JERSEY PROUD

PROFILE:

Our flagship has been a South Jersey staple since 2011 – and Cape May NA IPA is where it goes next. Non-alcoholic and hop-forward, it’s loaded with the floral and citrus notes our O.G. is known for, right down to the zesty finish. Same hops, same taste, now in a non-alcoholic brew that’s Crafted for the Cape.

Additional Label Details:

SERVE IN

BEST PAIRED WITH:

• Burger
• Fish
• Pretzel

CARE FOR THE CAPE

NON-ALCOHOLIC MALT BEVERAGE BREWED AND CANNED BY CAPE MAY BREWING CO., CAPE MAY, NJ.

GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) ACCORDING TO THE SURGEON GENERAL, WOMEN SHOULD NOT DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES DURING PREGNANCY BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF BIRTH DEFECTS. (2) CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IMPAIRS YOUR ABILITY TO DRIVE A CAR OR OPERATE MACHINERY, AND MAY CAUSE HEALTH PROBLEMS.

KEEP COLD • DRINK NOW

NON-TAXABLE UNDER SECTION 5051 I.R.C.

CAPE MAY BREWERY.COM

Related Cape May Brewing news from mybeerbuzz.com:
For more Cape May Brewing Company news, new beer releases and brewery updates, check out our previous coverage, including Cape May Brewing Company Announces Release of Honey Porter 12-ounce Cans, Cape May Teaming Up With Congress Hall For The Blue Pig Tavern American Pale Ale, and our complete Cape May Brewing archive for more craft beer news, collaborations, seasonal releases and new cans from this popular New Jersey brewery.

About Cape May Brewing Company

Cape May Brewing Company has become one of the most recognizable names in New Jersey craft beer, building its reputation around flavorful beers, local connections and a strong commitment to the South Jersey community. Located at the Cape May Airport in Cape May, New Jersey, the brewery has grown considerably since its beginnings in 2011, when a small group of beer enthusiasts set out to bring better local beer to the Jersey Shore.

The original idea was fairly simple. There wasn’t enough locally brewed beer available in Cape May, and the founders believed they could change that. The brewery began with a small 12-gallon brewing system and a single beer, Cape May IPA. That original IPA would become the foundation of a much larger brewing operation and an important part of the company’s identity.

Cape May Brewing Company initially operated out of a modest space at the airport, eventually expanding its production capabilities as demand for its beers increased. The brewery’s first keg of Cape May IPA was delivered to a local beach bar, establishing a connection with the very community that inspired the business. From those early deliveries, Cape May Brewing gradually developed a much wider distribution network.

Today, Cape May Brewing produces a diverse lineup of craft beers that includes IPAs, pale ales, lagers, wheat beers, porters, stouts, sour ales and seasonal specialties. Its flagship Cape May IPA remains an important part of the portfolio, while the brewery continues to introduce new recipes, limited releases and collaborations throughout the year.

Some of the brewery’s recognizable offerings include Coastal Evacuation, Always Ready, Cape May White and Honey Porter. The company has also developed beers that celebrate the area’s coastal identity, local landmarks and seasonal traditions. That connection to Cape May and the surrounding Jersey Shore is a recurring theme throughout its packaging and brewing program.

The brewery has continued expanding its reach beyond Cape May County, with beers distributed throughout New Jersey and neighboring markets including Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. Its growth has helped make Cape May Brewing an important player in the Mid-Atlantic craft beer business, particularly among drinkers looking for locally connected brands with a broad selection of styles.

Cape May Brewing Company has also developed a substantial destination for visitors. Its tasting room at the Cape May Airport gives beer enthusiasts an opportunity to sample the brewery’s lineup, explore different releases and experience the operation firsthand. Visitors can enjoy flights and pints, browse the brewery’s Brewtique gift shop and participate in an interactive, self-guided brewery tour.

The outdoor Beer Garden adds another attraction, providing a relaxed setting for enjoying Cape May beers throughout the year. The brewery has also developed community partnerships and special events that help connect its business with local residents, visitors and other organizations.

Innovation remains another part of the company’s approach. Rather than relying exclusively on its established flagship beers, Cape May continues to experiment with new ingredients, brewing techniques and packaging concepts. Collaborations with local businesses and organizations have also helped introduce its beers to different audiences.

The addition of Cape May NA IPA is another example of that willingness to expand. By taking the hop character of its original flagship and bringing it into the non-alcoholic beer category, Cape May is extending its brand into a growing segment of the craft beverage market while maintaining a connection to its brewing history.

From a small airport brewing operation to a major New Jersey craft brewery, Cape May Brewing Company has built its reputation one beer at a time. Its continued development reflects the growth of the Jersey Shore craft beer scene and the demand for interesting, locally inspired beverages.

For more information about Cape May Brewing Company, its beers, tasting room, events and upcoming releases, visit the official brewery website:

https://capemaybrewery.com

Crafted for the Cape.

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