Wineries, breweries and distilleries in Sussex County, NJ

Milk Street Distillery

Milk Street Distillery is the first distillery in the county in 70 years. It is a true distillery; everything is mashed, fermented, distilled and bottled on site. Patrons are welcome to tours and tastings Fridays from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 1 to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. Some of the quaintly named spirits include: Black Vulture Vodka, Soulless Ginger Vodka, Wooden Leg Rum, and, everyone’s favorite moniker, Murder Bourbon. Also available is the distillery’s iconic bumper sticker “No Farms, No Booze.” Address is 1 Milk Street in Branchville.

Angry Erik

A good respite during a hike on the Paulinskill Trail in Hampton Township is a stop at Angry Erik, a brewery right on the trail, although the address is 2 Canre Drive, Newton, NJ. Hours are Thursday 3:30 to 8 p.m., Friday 2:30 to 9 p.m., Saturday 1 to 8 p.m., Sunday 1 to 6 p.m. Check the website angryerik.com for live music and other events. Featured beers and ales range from lagers and blonde ales to wheat beers and IPAs.

Vernon Brewing

Vernon Brewing makes all of its beer on-site with its Vernon well water. The outdoor area is dog-friendly, and is complete with cornhole games and shaded picnic tables. The beer list features everything from lagers and wheat beers, to IPAs and sours. Hard seltzers, hard ciders, cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages are also available, as well as wood-fired pizza made with sourdough crust. The brewery, located at 17 Rudetown Rd., is open Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 12 to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 12 to 7 p.m.

Claremont Distillery

Claremont Distillery is a farm-to-glass distillery that partners with local farmers to source NJ-grown potatoes, blueberries, and peaches, transforming them into vodkas, bourbons, and small-batch releases that have earned national recognition. Tours are available to watch the production process. In addition to the tasting room, there is also an outdoor patio. The distillery is located at 3619 NJ-94 in Hamburg, and open from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 12 to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 12 to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Ventimiglia Vineyard

Gene Ventimiglia has been making wine in Sussex County for 30 years, following in the footsteps of his grandfather Eugenio who brought the skill over from Europe. The vineyard is at 101 Lafayette Rd., Wantage, NJ. The wine is aged in oak barrels and made in small batches. Ventimiglia’s tasting room is open on Saturdays from 12 to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 to 4 p.m.