Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off Returns This Fall

The Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off returns to Long Beach Island on Saturday, October 5th, from 10am until 5 pm at the Taylor Avenue Parking Lot.

Long Beach Island's favorite chowder-filled weekend will be taking on a new look this year. As the former Chowderfest will now be known as the Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off. You see, the Beach Haven Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Hunger Foundation Of Southern Ocean to bring this beloved community event back to it's pre-pandemic greatness.

Well, first off, there is a brand new Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off website. There you can find out all the info new and old about the Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off this Fall.

Next is the recent Press Release about the changes to the event. Read it here:

Long Beach Island’s favorite chowder-filled weekend will be taking on a new look in 2024. The Beach
Haven Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Hunger Foundation of Southern Ocean County, is excited to announce the Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off. Even though the event will be brand new this year, the Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off will be reminiscent of all loved components of former chowder events. Some highlights will include bringing back a two-day format with a merchant mart on Saturday and a ticketed Clam Chowder Cook-Off on Sunday with many local restaurants competing for the best Red and White chowders. The event application was approved by the Borough of Beach Haven following a presentation made by Matt Freed, President of Beach Haven Chamber of Commerce, and Todd Elsasser, Board Member at The Hunger Foundation of Southern Ocean.

The Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce (SOCC), which has organized the Chowderfest event during this same October weekend for the past 34 years, has stepped aside from hosting the event in 2024. Local businesses and officials advocated for a revitalized and more localized weekend. “We just want to bring the event back to its roots. It’s LBI’s largest, longest-running event and it has always done what the founders intended it to do – lengthen the Fall season and spark the local economy – but it’s time to give it a facelift as we come out of a very tough few years”, said Jeremy DeFilippis, Hunger Foundation Treasurer and CEO of Jetty. In 2023, the beloved tasting portion of Chowderfest returned and was organized by the Hunger Foundation of Southern Ocean County. Despite a good portion of the day being plagued by rain, the chowda heads turned out in droves. An estimated 6,000 people shopped, tasted chowder, and supported the local economy, allowing for The Hunger Foundation
to donate $100,000 to (10) local food banks after the event.

There is a shared passion from the restaurants involved to maintain a charity aspect and help feed the hungry in our surrounding areas, and the Beach Haven Chamber, a fully volunteer organization, hopes to be able to donate to this and other local causes through this event. “When it became clear that this event was at risk of changing drastically or not happening at all, we knew we had to offer an alternative. This weekend is so important to all businesses on the island and has a cherished history in Beach Haven that
should be celebrated and preserved.

The partnership with Hunger Foundation this year just made sense, and I think, regardless of reactions, everyone is excited to see this event happen”, says Matt Freed, President of the Beach Haven Chamber of Commerce. “This weekend stands apart from any other on the island. In the past, planning for something like this would begin in November. However, we have a shortened timeframe this year, and we're relying heavily on our relationships with vendors,
suppliers, and restaurants like never before.

Our committee is comprised of local leaders who prioritize the community above all else. They are dedicated to reinvigorating the core mission of what this weekend has always been: extending the shoulder season and highlighting the essence of our community”, said Todd Elsasser, Board Member of the Hunger Foundation and Owner of, previous Chowderfest Champion, Panzone’s. The Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off will take place at Taylor Ave behind Bay Village on October 5th and 6th. The Beach Haven Chamber and the Hunger Foundation are excited to bring this event to life for the LBI community and thrilled to come together to make this an incredible weekend.
More information will be available soon, including tickets for Sunday’s Chowder Cook-Off, information on becoming a vendor at the merchant mart, and a list of entertainment for the weekend. To keep up to date with plans, please visit BHChowderCookOff.com

Icarus Brewing had their soft opening the other day and the Rat was on hand to attend. Jason Goldstein, the owner and founder put out a press release about the Grand Opening of the new Brewery on Route 88 in Brick:

Icarus Brewing is thrilled to announce the opening of its brand-new facility on Route 88 in Brick, New Jersey! The doors will officially swing open to the public on Wednesday, July 3rd as the taproom will reopen for business, marking a new chapter for the beloved Lakewood-born craft brewery.

"We're incredibly excited to finally share our new home with the community," said Owner and Founder, Jason Goldstein. "For over seven years, our Lakewood location has been the heart of Icarus Brewing. This move allows us to expand our brewing capabilities, offer a more spacious and comfortable experience for our patrons, and continue delivering the innovative beers our customers have come to love."

Located at 2045 Route 88 in Brick, the new taproom boasts a significantly larger footprint than its predecessor, accommodating well over 350 patrons. With 30 delicious brews on tap, the venue offers an inviting atmosphere featuring ample indoor and outdoor seating, a cozy lounge area, and a sprawling Beer Garden with a firepit. In addition to regular operations, this family- and dog-friendly brewery provides versatile rental packages for private parties in the unique ground-floor Barrel Room, the Mezzanine Bar featuring 8 taps and views into the Brew House and Taproom below, and large-scale gatherings such as weddings.

While the taproom will be open to the public starting July 3rd, the Grand Opening celebration is set for Saturday, July 20th, from noon to 10 PM. Details for the festivities will be announced soon, but beer lovers can expect live music, special releases, food trucks, and more!

"We can't wait to raise a glass with everyone and celebrate this exciting new chapter for Icarus Brewing," said Goldstein. "Mark your calendars and get ready to soar with us in Brick!" For more information, visit www.icarusbrewing.com or follow us on social media @icarusbrewing

Icarus Brewing Co. is a New Jersey staple, renowned for its creative and boundary-pushing craft beers. Founded in Lakewood in 2017, the brewery has garnered a loyal following for its diverse and delicious selection of IPAs, sours, stouts, ales, and crispy lagers. With its move to Brick, Icarus Brewing is poised to continue its upward trajectory, offering a truly immersive and enjoyable experience for craft beer enthusiasts. 

For more on Icarus Brewing's Grand Opening, read here.