Like most states, New Jersey is seeing tremendous growth in its craft brewery scene. Tomorrow’s ninth annual Garden State Craft Brewers Guild festival on the Battleship NJ will be a chance to sample the latest from newcomers (that don’t sell in Philly) like Kane, Cape May, Tuckahoe and Turtle Stone, plus old standbys from the north that we don’t get even in South Jersey.

This is the first state-wide fest since a beer-reform law went into effect that allows brewpubs to pour off-site. So while this particular festival had always gotten a waiver that allowed them to attend, never before could you actually sample the beers anywhere but at the pub and at this one event. Now, though, beers brewed at places like Ship Inn, JJ Bitting and Harvest Moon will be more readily available–all starting tomorrow.

In all, 21 breweries will pour from 1-5pm on the decks of the most decorated US battleship in history (rated best local historic attraction by Philly mag). A $45 ticket gets you unlimited samples, free live music and a tour of the ship. For ten extra dollars, you get in half and hour early for a meet-the-brewers session. It’s going to be 86 degrees and sunny, with a clear view of the Philly skyline so, you know… Don’t pretend like you have something better to do.

Garden State Craft Brewers Guild [Official]