2 South Jersey Brewer Behemoths Combine Forces: What That Means

SOUTH JERSEY — Two titans of New Jersey's brewing industry plan to combine forces. Cape May Brewing Company announced Monday that it will acquire Flying Fish Brewing Company's assets.

The companies expect to close on the deal next month. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

Cape May and Flying Fish have both been major contributors to New Jersey's blossoming craft-beer industry. Flying Fish opened a brewery and taproom in Cherry Hill in 1996, moving to its Somerdale facility in 2012. The Cape May company was founded in 2011.

Although Flying Fish has a buyer, the brand won't disappear. The company's wholesale partners will continue distributing the beverage. But the acquisition will increase Cape May's manufacturing and warehouse space, boost production, and add capabiliites to support the expansion into new products, the acquisition announcement says.

"This is a massive milestone for both Cape May and Flying Fish, who we’ve long admired as a true pioneer of craft brewing in the Garden State since its founding in 1995," Ryan Krill, Cape May's CEO and co-founder, said in a statement. "We are thrilled to expand our product portfolio and are approaching this acquisition with a focus on our core values, passion for brewing, and commitment to serving our customers with the highest quality brews."