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Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — The name Wander Back was both figurative and literal. Brian Hink said he, Chris Henke and Justin Vitti settled on the name "as we were talking through the project and focusing on quality and beer first and focusing on the old school style of brewing methods." But, quite literally, it also alludes to the story of how the three partners wandered back to each other after going on separate life journeys starting six years ago.
Wander Back Beerworks, which is brewing out of a small section of Hidden Sands Brewing Company in the township, is ready to establish its roots in Vineland later this year. On Wednesday night, the Vineland Planning Board approved a location for Wander Back in the city's downtown. The brewery and tasting room will be built in the Landis Theater and Mori Building at 830 E.
Landis Ave., taking over the former Kaycee Ray's Restaurant and Bar location. Philadelphia man sought for fatally stabbing Bridgeton man after breaking into his home Icona hotel opponent downplays Ocean City Boardwalk merchants vote Here's where to dine in South Jersey this summer Hundreds protest possible Medicaid cuts at Van Drew office Director Steven Spielberg in Upper Township filming new movie Galloway firefighters at scene of Smithville structure fire Ruling on motions to suppress in case of Atlantic City mayor, superintendent coming March 27 Spirit Airlines exits bankruptcy protection as travel demand slows Judge orders Blatstein to pay Showboat contractor $533K 'Environmental justice' at heart of Trump holdup of funds for Atlantic City paving, officials say 7 arrested after Atlantic City police break up 2 drug production facilities 5 people arrested in assault on off-duty Stone Harbor police officer in Wildwood Something lost, gained with Van Drew's telephone town halls Wildwood vows to head off ‘Project X’ teen bash Tomatoe's owners bringing new Tideline restaurant to Margate bayfront Henke is one of the founders of Cape May Brewing Company, which opened in July 2011.
Hink was the original head brewer there, and Vitti worked there for eight years as general manager of sales. Vitti left Cape May Brewing in March 2022, and Hink left shortly after. Both went on to work at Ship Bottom Brewery in Beach Haven for about two years and spent those commutes to work together discussing the idea that would turn into Wander Back.
At that time, Henke, who left Cape May in 2019, was enjoying life as a stay-at-home dad after he and wife Allison had their son. Vitti had showed Henke his business plan at the time, and it evolved to where he and Hink convinced Henke to join them. By last May, they had an agreement in place with Hidden Sands to let them brew their recipes and distribute their beer under the Wander Back name.
A new brewery is expected to open in Vineland in May, founded by veterans of South Jersey's craft beer scene. "I've worked with them forever, and they helped grow that brand into what it was," said Henke, 42, of Haddon Heights, Camden County. "These two guys and a bunch of other really good employees grew that brand into what had become the biggest craft brewery in New Jersey by 2020.
I knew they were gonna do it with or without me, so might as well make it with me." Nerds and their beers Wander Back plans to create an authentic New Jersey experience using locally sourced ingredients, with all of their grains and barley coming from Rabbit Hill Farms in Shiloh. Its two flagship beers are Wander Back Lager, a helles lager, and Perfectly Cromulent IPA.
The latter, which takes its name from an episode of "The Simpsons," means adequate. "It's very tongue-in-cheek, because IPAs anymore just got so bombastic with profiles and descriptors. It got to be too much," Hink said.
"We want our beers to be balanced, we want our beers to be drinkable. We're brewers. We want to drink beer.
" The cans feature fonts and colors reminiscent of the 1970s and '80s, from Atari to "Star Wars." "We're a bunch of nerds. We're not shy about it," said Hink, 39, of Mays Landing, who is Wander Back's head brewer.
"We can control the aesthetic that we want," added Vitti, 45, of Cape May Court House. "We can control the feeling, the vibe you get with the color, the patterns and what we're doing with it. It's such a versatile logo.
It helps drive that home." Vineland's hangout The trio brought some of their brewing equipment and a canning machine to Hidden Sands so their beer can be brewed and not impede on the host's operation. The rest of the equipment is at their distribution warehouse in Vineland until they are ready to move into the Landis Avenue location.
Say goodbye to winter and hello to these new South Jersey restaurants opening in time for summer 2025. "They've been great to work with and super helpful, and we're excited to be there," said Henke, adding that Vineland was on board with having a brewery from the beginning. Hink called their distribution out of Hidden Sands an "extended soft opening.
" All three expressed gratitude toward Hidden Sands CEO Matthew Helm, Chief Operating Officer Anthony Cepparulo and their team for allowing them to operate out of their space. "They changed processes here just to accommodate us," Hink said. "We do certain things in our brewhouse with our beers that they weren't doing, so they really let us make the beers how we want to make them.
We bring in our own raw ingredients for our beers, including our grain from New Jersey. It's been a great working relationship with Hidden Sands." Wander Back is keeping it simple at the start with only a handful of beers going at a time.
Vitti said one complaint he's heard from liquor stores is that craft breweries have too many SKUs, or stock keeping units, to keep up with. "We're not trying to flood the market," Vitti said. Wander Back self-distributes, and its beer can be found in some of the larger liquor stores in South Jersey.
As the trio appear at tastings or events, people are constantly asking them when they are going to open their own place, Hink said. "Every person says, 'Can't wait. We cannot wait for you guys to to get here,'" Hink said of people in Vineland.
"'Get that taproom open. We want to hang out there.'" On February 28, 2025, at Hidden Sands brewery in Egg Harbor Township, the Owners of soon to be Vineland based Wander Back Beerworks, Chris Henke, Brian Hink, and Justin Vitti, talk about their excitement to move their business to its new home.
On February 28, 2025, at Hidden Sands brewery in Egg Harbor Township, Chris Henke, one of the Owners of the soon to be Vineland based Wander Back Beerworks, talk about his excitement to move their business to its new home. On February 28, 2025, at Hidden Sands brewery in Egg Harbor Township, Brian Hink, one of the Owners of the soon to be Vineland based Wander Back Beerworks, talk about his excitement to move their business to its new home. On February 28, 2025, at Hidden Sands brewery in Egg Harbor Township, Justin Vitti, one of the Owners of the soon to be Vineland based Wander Back Beerworks, talk about his excitement to move their business to its new home.
On February 28, 2025, at Hidden Sands brewery in Egg Harbor Township, the Owners of soon to be Vineland based Wander Back Beerworks talk about their excitement to move their business to its new home. On February 28, 2025, at Hidden Sands brewery in Egg Harbor Township, the Owners of soon to be Vineland based Wander Back Beerworks talk about their excitement to move their business to its new home. On February 28, 2025, at Hidden Sands brewery in Egg Harbor Township, the Owners of soon to be Vineland based Wander Back Beerworks talk about their excitement to move their business to its new home.
On February 28, 2025, at Hidden Sands brewery in Egg Harbor Township, the Owners of soon to be Vineland based Wander Back Beerworks talk about their excitement to move their business to its new home. On February 28, 2025, at Hidden Sands brewery in Egg Harbor Township, the Owners of soon to be Vineland based Wander Back Beerworks talk about their excitement to move their business to its new home. On February 28, 2025, at Hidden Sands brewery in Egg Harbor Township, the Owners of soon to be Vineland based Wander Back Beerworks talk about their excitement to move their business to its new home.
On February 28, 2025, at Hidden Sands brewery in Egg Harbor Township, the Owners of soon to be Vineland based Wander Back Beerworks talk about their excitement to move their business to its new home. On February 28, 2025, at Hidden Sands brewery in Egg Harbor Township, the Owners of soon to be Vineland based Wander Back Beerworks talk about their excitement to move their business to its new home. On February 28, 2025, at Hidden Sands brewery in Egg Harbor Township, the Owners of soon to be Vineland based Wander Back Beerworks talk about their excitement to move their business to its new home.
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