Kelly Lynch, Master Distiller. Paul Goldfinger photo 4/11/24. Asbury Park, NJ, USA. Click once to enlarge. Blogfinger.net. Ocean Grove NJ
By Paul Goldfinger, MD. Blogfinger.net. Ocean Grove, NJ, USA. We are sister cities with A. Park, despite what the Tri-City News says.
I was over in A. Park, across the Jersey Avenue bridge in Ocean Grove, to make sure the Bierhalle* was still intact after recent flooding 2024.
While I was there, I noticed a young woman near some large doors pushing a heavy cart filled with wooden barrels. I walked over and when I peeked inside the doors, I saw a fascinating place: the Asbury Park Distilling Co. It looked like the home of a mad scientist.
She invited me in to take a photo (see above). It turns out that she is no ordinary shlepper: She is Kelly Lynch, Master Distiller.
The Asbury Park Distilling Co. is the first and only distillery in Asbury, since Prohibition. They make high class beverages: bourbon, gin, and vodka, as well as other products.
Tours are available.
Their icon is a mermaid.
*ADDENDUM: The” Bierhalle,” a familiar landmark when coming across the Jersey Ave. bridge, and next door to the Asbury Distillery, has been closed for sometime. It is expected that it will reopen, but there are issues having to do with structural concerns and subterranean integrity. Work is currently being done and difficulty acquiring insurance due to recurrent flooding. It is very popular in-season, especially up at the roof bar where they have had live music.
Here is a Blogfinger Bierhalle link 2015:
Asbury BIERHALLE report from Blogfinger 2015
Bierhalle. Paul Goldfinger photo. 4/11/24. Click to enlarge.
2025 update: The Bierhalle is now permanently closed. The Asbury Distillery is open and has live music on Sundays.
2026 update a flood hits 7/6/26. SEE VIDEO BELOW:
7/9/2026. An Asbury source sent us this 7/6/26 video, undoubtedly by a drone. The tell us that the flood of Wesley Lake receded quickly oh both sides. On the Grovarian side, we were left with a swamp of plastic bottles and garbage dredged up from the bottom. No surprise to Grovers. Our Asburian friends point to the Grove and wonder why lakeside home owners don’t do a better job policing our shores
Interestingly the Bierhalle property which was considered to be hopelessly vulnerable to flood damage has been bought by owners who plan a steak house at the site and who have placed a metal barrier to protect the lower structural areas from flood damage, and it did that during the major flooding two days ago.
BEE GEES