River Horse Brewing: A Current Guide to Its New Jersey Story | New Jersey Microbreweries

River Horse Brewing is part of the long-running story of independent beer in New Jersey, but its history is best approached with a current map in hand rather than a nostalgia-only version. The brewery’s own account says its current team took over River Horse in 2007 and refers to its earlier Lambertville chapter. [VisitNJ’s brewery listing](https://visitnj.org/nj-breweries/river-horse-brewing-company) says the company has been making beer since 1996 and identifies its location as Ewing. Those are useful anchor points; claims about particular early recipes, founders, room sizes, awards, or “first” status are not repeated here because this guide could not verify them from the sources reviewed.

From Lambertville to Ewing

The move from Lambertville is a meaningful part of River Horse’s public story. Its [About page](https://riverhorse.com/our-story/) explicitly says the brewery has “come a long way since Lambertville,” while VisitNJ lists River Horse in Ewing. That change is a reminder that brewery history is not frozen at an original address: production, tasting-room access, ownership, and beer availability can all change over time.

River Horse’s more recent corporate history also reaches beyond New Jersey. In a June 2023 announcement, [DuClaw Brewing Company reported that River Horse acquired DuClaw](https://duclaw.com/2023/06/new-jerseys-river-horse-brewing-company-in-ewing-nj-has-acquired-duclaw-brewing-company-of-baltimore-md/). The announcement said the brands would be managed separately and that River Horse would expand capacity in Ewing for DuClaw’s distribution needs. That is a concrete, sourced development—not a reason to assume every River Horse or DuClaw product will be available at any particular retailer or taproom.

For visitors, there is an especially important current-status caveat. A July 2026 report by [New Jersey 101.5](https://nj1015.com/river-horse-ewing-tasting-room-closes/) said River Horse had announced a planned closure of its Ewing tasting room before Thanksgiving. Because that report concerns a future operational change and schedules can change, readers should treat it as a prompt to verify, not as a substitute for direct confirmation. **Before traveling, contact River Horse or check its official channels to confirm whether the brewery is open, its hours, taproom access, tours, events, food arrangements, and current offerings.**

Reading the beer list without relying on old menus

A historical guide can easily turn an old seasonal release into a misleading promise. VisitNJ lists several beers associated with River Horse, including Triple Horse, IPA, Roly Poly Pils, and Hippotizing IPA, along with seasonal and barrel-aged offerings. That establishes that the brewery has presented a varied portfolio. It does not establish that those beers are being made, poured, canned, or distributed on the day you read this.

The best approach is to use the brewery’s [official beer page](https://riverhorse.com/beers/) and beer finder as starting points, then confirm directly. A beer finder can help locate packaged product, but it is not the same as a real-time tap list. Similarly, a product shown online may be seasonal, allocated, sold out, or unavailable in a specific format. Ask what is available now rather than planning around a beer name from an archived article.

That discipline also makes a visit more rewarding. If you are drawn to Belgian-inspired ales, pilsners, hop-forward beer, darker beer, or a particular strength range, say so when checking in. The staff can point you toward what is actually on offer, and you can make an informed choice rather than trying to recreate a discontinued lineup.

A practical Ewing-area visit plan

Keep the plan simple. Confirm the address and opening status with the brewery; check whether a reservation, ticket, or tour booking is required; arrange a designated driver or other safe transportation; and build flexibility into the day. Do not assume recurring trivia, music, food trucks, dogs, family access, outdoor seating, or private-event access from an old post. Those details are operational and can change quickly.

If you are buying beer to take home, ask about package dates, storage, and whether a particular release needs refrigeration. If you are tasting on site, start with smaller pours when available and pace yourself. New Jersey’s alcohol rules and a brewery’s own policies apply even when a visit feels casual. Visitors must be of legal drinking age to consume alcohol; non-drinkers and drivers can still enjoy the trip by planning alternatives in advance.

Why the history is still useful

River Horse’s significance does not require exaggerated rankings. A brewery documented as operating since 1996, with roots in Lambertville and a later Ewing presence, offers a useful lens on how a New Jersey producer can evolve across decades. The 2023 DuClaw acquisition adds another chapter involving production and distribution beyond one local taproom.

The most responsible way to experience that story is to separate durable facts from time-sensitive details. Read the history, seek out the beer that is genuinely available, and let the brewery’s current information guide the visit. **Always confirm hours and offerings with River Horse before travel.**

Sources

• https://riverhorse.com/our-story/
• https://riverhorse.com/beers/
• https://visitnj.org/nj-breweries/river-horse-brewing-company
• https://duclaw.com/2023/06/new-jerseys-river-horse-brewing-company-in-ewing-nj-has-acquired-duclaw-brewing-company-of-baltimore-md/
• https://nj1015.com/river-horse-ewing-tasting-room-closes/