01/02/2025
Hello Everyone-This is a long one, but a meaningful one.
After much thought, Tom, Vic, and I have decided to retire South Jersey Beer Scene. We have loved the years that we have covered the South Jersey Beer Scene and our pint glass runneth over with all of the friends we have made doing this. Our decision was not an easy one, but it is the right one for us. We are all getting older, our kids are all grown (and having kids), and it started to feel like work, that is not what this should be. I was lucky to have my friend Tom Renzulli listen to me when I had this idea and build this thing side by side along with me. Without Tom this would never have happened. A great partner but an even better man that I am proud to call my friend. A bit later Vic's Basement Brew came along and became the beating heart of SJBS, always excited, always looking for ways to promote the industry any way he could. I certainly would not be here typing this without the hard work of these guys who I am honored to call my brothers.
We would also like to thank all the brewery owners, bars, restaurants, chefs, and everyone in the industry who let us behind the curtain and trusted us to tell their story. I personally want to thank my friend Alexis Drinks Degan for being a big part of this for a long time as well, her energy is like no other and kept me going when I wanted to throw in the towel! She does not get the credit she deserves for what she has done for this industry, a tireless promoter of New Jersey Beer whose kindness, enthusiasm, work ethic, and friendship are boundless and real.
There were many people that helped us get off the ground, Slack Tide Brewing Company trusted us to write our first piece, Billy Topley of Ludlam Island Brewery a great friend and always opened his doors for our nonsense. Garden State Beer Company, Rob Callaghan, Gary Monterosso for putting me on Radio and TV, Tony and all the peeps at MudHen Brewing Company, Axe and Arrow Brewing, and our Ocean County Brewery family ManaFirkin Brewing Company and Ship Bottom Brewery. Thanks to Mike at New Jersey Craft Beer for all your collabs and including us in your projects. Also Clark Sweeney for all his contributions. Jordan Crawford of Circle Liquor Store for allowing me to bother him relentlessly at his job. Lastly, my brother Chris for making the website look like we knew what we were doing. There are so many more and your omission does not mean we don't have the deepest gratitude for all of your support.
A huge debt of gratitude to our friend Jon Henderson of Good Time Tricycle Productions and The Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival for believing in us and including us in his projects. Jon is one of the best people I know. Period. His generosity, enthusiasm, and friendship means the world to us and there is not a way we could ever repay all that he and his team have done for us over the years. He made us part of his family and we are honored to be a very small part of the GTT team.
We would be remiss if we did not thank our wives, Karen, Tara, and Cathy who tolerated our craziness, hung out at the breweries, wrote articles, schlepped beers at our events, and were nice enough to not yell at us when we did "research".
And to all of you that read an article, liked a post, came to our events, or supported anything that we have done-Thank You. We sincerely overwhelmed by your support and generosity and look forward to having beers with you all!
Until we meet again, Cheers!
John, Tom, And Vic
