Nestled in the center of New Jersey’s craft beer scene, River Horse Brewery has built a rich legacy since 1996. Originally established by three brothers in Lambertville, River Horse is one of the first breweries in the state and has gained recognition for its brand and high-quality, crafted beers. The brewery’s unique name was inspired by the Greek word hippopotamus, which translates to ‘river horse’ (hippo meaning ‘horse’ and potamos meaning ‘river’). In 2007, the brewery was acquired by co-owners Chris Walsh and Glenn Bernabeo, whose vision and leadership have guided River Horse’s evolution to the brewery it is today.
In recent years, River Horse has moved to a larger facility in Ewing. It also took an exciting leap by acquiring DuClaw Brewing Company, based out of Maryland, which has expanded their current portfolio to include new, more creative flavors. This partnership adds depth to River Horse’s offerings, appealing to both long-time enthusiasts of classic brews and adventurous drinkers seeking innovative, non-traditional beers.
(Heady Times HT): River Horse Brewery is one of the oldest in New Jersey. What keeps the brewery so relevant?
Chris Walsh (CW): Our heritage is a big part of it. Our flagship Belgian Tripel, for instance, has been a staple for the brewery since the start and is something consumers can rely on. But we have also adapted our portfolio of beers. Our lineup reflects a mix of those classics and our new, seasonal beers, like our popular fall favorite, Hippo Lantern or our winter seasonal, Belgian Freeze. It’s a strong, dark Belgian ale perfect for those cold days ahead.
HT: The acquisition of DuClaw Brewing was a significant move for your business. How do these brands complement each other?
CW: They’re like two sides of a coin. River Horse is rooted in more traditional styles, while DuClaw is known for pushing boundaries with more unique and unusual flavors – think of a glittered sour ale like DuClaw Sour Me Unicorn Farts. By bringing DuClaw into the family, we can appeal to more adventurous beer lovers while still delivering the quality and consistency people expect from River Horse
HT: Beyond beer, River Horse has a strong community presence. What kind of events do you hold?
CW: We host several charitable events throughout the year. For example, we participated in an event called “Mind the Gap,” where we raised money for the Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation. This event raised funds to help bridge the financial gap between what insurance covers and the additional costs families often face when seeking specialized care. We host food drives in November with our “Food Pantry Bingo,” where people bring in food donations to play bingo. We also do a lot of work with local nonprofits, like Mercer Street Friends. It’s extremely rewarding to us to be able to connect with our local community.
HT: What’s next for River Horse?
CW: The integration of the DuClaw acquisition has added a new layer of excitement, and we’re looking forward to seeing where that partnership takes us. We do have some exciting releases on the horizon for 2025 – stay tuned for those announcements!
About Kramer Beverage
Kramer Beverage is South Jersey’s largest beer wholesaler and is owned and operated by the Kramer family – through four generations – since 1924. Kramer Beverage is based out of Hammonton and serves an eight-county footprint in South Jersey with top brands from Molson Coors, Constellation, Yuengling, Boston Beer, Heineken USA, Pabst, Diageo, FIFCO, and others. Kramer Beverage also distributes wine, spirits, and a variety of craft beers from suppliers such as New Belgium and Sierra Nevada to local favorites, including Cape May Brewing, Flying Fish, MudHen, Double Nickel, Evil Genius, and Glasstown. For more information on Kramer Beverage, please visit www.kramerbev.com.