Summer Swelter Beer Fest

from 08071 Pitman | Summer 2022

Planning in Pitman

BY JASMINE FERRELL

Food, music, covered seating, and—beer!

Join New Jersey’s craft breweries and fellow beer snobs at the annual Summer Swelter Beer Festival. On August 13th, at the Total Turf Experience, explore and taste your local- maybe even your new favorite beer.

A fellow beer snob himself, Adam Mazzola, organizational leader of the Summer Swelter Beer Festival, spoke with me about the wonderful event.

The Summer Swelter Beer Festival is carried by the Greater Pitman Chamber of Commerce (GPCC). Back in 2018, the former President of the GPCC, Vanessa James, asked Mazzola if he would be interested in creating or running a beer fest. Without hesitation, the proud twelve-year beer snob researched and reflected on the plethora of festivals he experienced. Once he realized for sure he could curate and bring a beer festival to life in Pitman, he told the board, “Yes.”

Although Mazzola has enjoyed several festivals and explored and supported

many local breweries, he never thought about organizing a beer festival himself. This year will be the fourth annual Summer Join New Jersey’s craft breweries and fellow beer snobs at the annual Summer Swelter Beer Festival. On August 13th, at the Total Turf Experience, explore and taste your local- maybe even your Swelter Beer Festival. With four ‘fest planning’ years under his belt, Mazzola is focused on the purpose of this event as well as connecting with people. “The whole purpose of this festival is to help businesses, both A fellow beer snob himself, Adam Mazzola, organizational leader of the Summer Swelter Beer Festival, spoke with me about the wonderful event. The Summer Swelter Beer Festival is carried by the Greater Pitman Chamber of Commerce (GPCC). Back in 2018, the former President of the GPCC, Vanessa James, asked Mazzola if he would be interested in creating or running a beer fest. Without hesitation, the proud twelve-year beer snob researched and reflected on the plethora of festivals he experienced. Once he realized for sure he could curate and bring a beer festival to life in Pitman, he told the breweries and our Pitman businesses directly through the chamber [GPCC]. It’s a cool synergy to see everybody pick up the benefits from these festivals,” he said. Summer Swelter Beer Fest is a nonprofit, volunteer-led event that has been supported by loyal breweries from the very beginning. Zed’s Beer has sponsored the beer fest with shot glasses for patrons. Kelley Green Brewing, Pitman’s very own, and Neck of the Woods Brewing have been supportive since 2018. Neck of the Woods will also be the brewery to host this year’s Summer Swelter Beer Festival, and understandably so, being that the brewery is right behind the Total Turf

Although Mazzola has enjoyed sever- Experience. al festivals and explored and supported ‘fest planning’ years under his belt, Mazzola is focused on the purpose of this event as well as connecting with people. tival is to help businesses, both breweries and our Pitman businesses directly through the chamber [GPCC]. It’s a cool synergy to see everybody pick up the benefits from these festivals,” he said. Summer Swelter Beer Fest is a nonprofit, volunteer-led event that has been supported by loyal breweries from the very beginning. Zed’s Beer has sponsored the beer fest with shot glasses for patrons. Kelley Green Brewing, Pitman’s very own, and Neck of the Woods Brewing have been supportive since 2018. Neck of the Woods will also be the brewery to host this year’s Summer Swelter Beer Festival, and understandably so, being that the brewery is right behind the Total Turf Experience.

please see BEER, page 11

SERIOUS ABOUT LOSING WEIGHT? Reach your Summer Goals!

Dr. Joseph P. DiRenzo Jr. | Dr. Marc Matozzo | Kimberly English NP

SAFE & EFFECTIVE MEDICALLY SUPERVISED WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM

• Diet Shot to Increase Metabolism & Energy • New Patients Seen within One Week • Dietary Recommendations

856.904.0946

Saturday Hours Now Available 27 East Chestnut Ave., Merchantville

The Gentle Giant Café

Serving Compassion in Thought, Word, & Eats

We're proud to be the first 100% vegan restaurant located in Gloucester County, New Jersey.

Dine-in and Takeout available! 13 South Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071 (856) 956-3877

PHOTOS BY JAMIE GIAMBRONE

If you’re not really into beer and only tagging along as the responsible driver, there are designated driver tickets available. The sober-goers can enjoy music, various food vendors and swag bags. Newly launched breweries will also be there such as Bear Brewing from Cape May, which opened in February of this year. The single-day event will have over 100 beers to taste from. So, returnees be sure to be on the lookout for the newbies!

When asked what he loved most about organizing the beer fest, Mazzola beamed and replied:

“What I love most is meeting the brewers. A lot of times when you meet people who are in the same industry, there’s not always a sense of comradery. There’s a lot of competition. I don’t see that with 99 percent of the brewers. They all wanna work together. They realized, ‘Hey, we’re doing a community thing here.’ The way they talk about each other, the way they work together… They’re genuinely some of the best people I’ve ever met…I’ve met some very good friends through this festival for the past four years.”

You don’t want to miss out on meeting new people who just might be newfound pals!

Although the lead organizer doesn’t own a brewery, he’s open to owning one in the future. For now, his love of the craft, community and supporting local businesses is what drives him forward annually to organize the beer fest. Volunteering for the Summer Swelter beer fest and seeing people happy is satisfying enough for him.

If you’re reading this now and you still haven’t purchased your ticket, you’re in luck. Adam has given 08071 a promo code. Use the promo code: 08071MAG at checkout to save 15% on the price of admission (excludes Designated Drivers).

Tickets can be found at www. uptownpitman.com and click on events. BEER continued from page 10 page 10