Cape May Brewing Co. Debuts Harmonic Rhythm Beer at Exit Zero Jazz Festival

At an event like the Exit Zero Jazz Festival in Cape, May, New Jersey, things like harmony and rhythm will be available in excess. As the exclusive beer sponsor for the event, Cape May Brewing Co. wanted to bring a little bit of those things as well, so they did the only way they know how... with a beer!

Harmonic Rhythm is a Moscow Mule-inspired Belgian-style beer brewed with ginger, fresh mint and lemon and lime juice for a sultry, spicy, spritzy drink -- a perfect accompaniment to toe-tapping jazz music.

Cape May has been responsible for the beer at Exit Zero since 2014, when it debuted Sophisticated Lady, which is being retired this year in favor of Harmonic Rhythm.

The full release from Cape May is below.

Cape May, NJ -- Cape May Brewing Company is pleased to announce the continuation of a seven-year partnership as the exclusive beer sponsor of the Exit Zero Jazz Festival, running April 20-22.

“Cape May Brewing Co. is proud to be the exclusive beer sponsor of the Exit Zero Jazz Festival,” says Cape May Brewing Company CEO, Ryan Krill. “For two weekends each year, the festival gets Cape May’s toes tapping to some of the best music around, and it allows us a chance to brew up a commemorative beer.”

This year, the brewery has devised a beer inspired by the popular cocktail known as a Moscow Mule. Characterized by the commingling of a strong ginger ale with muddled lime and mint in a copper mug, Cape May Brewing Company has replicated this in a Belgian-style ale called Harmonic Rhythm.

“We've been talking about doing a cocktail-inspired beer for a while now,” says CMBC Director of Brewing Operations Jimmy Valm, “and doing one for a classy time like the Exit Zero Jazz Festival seemed like the perfect fit! We wanted to do a cocktail that was well-known, and after brainstorming a few ideas and trying out some various cocktails, we decided that in beer-form the Moscow Mule would be the best bet.”

Cape May Brewing Company has been brewing the official beer of the Exit Zero Jazz Festival since 2014 with Sophisticated Lady.

“As much as we loved Sophisticated Lady, sometimes it's time for a change,” says Head Brewer Brian Hink, “and this year, it just felt right to change things up! So, when trying to decide what kind of beer would replace Sophisticated Lady, it just made sense to go down the cocktail route.”

A hefty dose of freshly-minced ginger added to the boil is in the forefront, garnished with a hint of fresh mint and the juices of lemon and lime rounding out the flavor profile -- a gentle burn from the ginger pairs beautifully with its bright acidity, bringing together a harmonious marriage of flavors. With its relatively low ABV at 5.0%, Harmonic Rhythm is the perfect weekend sipper for the Exit Zero Jazz Festival.

The brewery will once again be sponsoring the Cape May Brewing Stage at Cabanas, hosting such acts as the High & Mighty Brass Band and Heather Gillis. In addition, Cape May Brewing Company has lent their name to the $58 Hops Pass. With his pass, revelers will get first-come, first-served entry to all of the club venues of the festival: Cabanas, Carney’s, Carney’s Other Room, Iron Pier Craft House, and the Rusty Nail, all of whom will be pouring CMBC brews, including the star of the festival: Harmonic Rhythm.

“We pride ourselves on accentuating what Cape May and South Jersey do best,” says festival organizer Michael Kline, “so this is an ideal collaboration. And the music happening on the Cape May Brewing Company Stage at Cabanas Beach Bar and Grill is going to blow the roof off. It’s a really great fit for the brewery.”

For more information about the Exit Zero Jazz Festival, see exit0jazzfest.com. For more information on Cape May Brewing Company, including for tours and tastings, see capemaybrewery.com.