What started as a beer brewing hobby in his family’s basement turned into a passion that ultimately has turned into a hugely successful craft beer business for Matthew Czigler. That passion and success has led to Czigler being chosen as one of this year’s inductees into the Warren County Hall of Fame.



The annual Hall of Fame event, presented by the Warren Community College Foundation, will take place at Hawk Pointe Golf Club in Washington Township on Saturday Nov. 11. In addition to Czigler, this year’s inductees include: Dr. Frank Gilly, Susan Sloan, Michael Lavery, and Jim Kelsey. Also chosen posthumously was Harry Brown and Tiffani Warren.

Czigler’s dream of opening a brewery that would double as a community-connector came to fruition in 2016 with the opening of Czig Meister Brewing Company in Hackettstown at the former Knechel Ford showroom.


Besides offering an array of tasty beers made in-house, Czigler wanted to have an establishment where people could gather. “I wanted the brewery to be a place in town where family and friends could relax in a fun atmosphere,” he says. “I wanted it to be different than a bar.”


The brewery has become that place, and much more. And all roads of this success story are led by the leadership of Czigler. Under his guidance Czig Meister has been recognized as one of the best in New Jersey and in fact, has won numerous awards for its selection of beers. The State of New Jersey has also recognized the business – and Czigler – by the Small Business Development Centers of New Jersey for its entrepreneurial efforts. Czig Meister has become a major staple of Downtown Hackettstown and draws tens of thousands of visitors to the brewery every year.


How Czigler got to this point in time starts with college where he was a Triple Major in Science: Microbiology, Biochemistry, Molecular/Cellular Biology.


His first job after graduation was for Collagen Matrix, a Biotech Firm – where he worked in research and development for dental implant innovations. Soon enough, he felt the urge of beer, once a hobby, now something more. He returned to school to study brewing at the prestigious Siebel Institute in Chicago and their sister school Doemans Academy in Munich German, where he graduated first in his class and received a degree in Brewing Science.


His first job in brewing was at the Adirondack Pub and Brewery in Lake George, NY. where he was the Assistant Brewer. His second job in brewing was at Kane Brewing Company in Ocean, NJ. where he was the Head Brewer. With the help of his parents, he opened Czig Meister Brewing Company where he brews many different styles of beers: ales, lagers, sours, and hard seltzers.


Czig Meister is a community focused business. It works with local charities through sponsorship, giving taps, and festivals. Some of the local charities that Czig Meister has strong ties to are Foodshed Alliance, Arc of Warren County, and DASACC.As a member of the Hackettstown BID he works on many town wide festivals. He is also a longtime member – and board of trustee – of the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce.


The Hall of Fame event is open to the public and includes musical entertainment by the 3 Lelicas. For advance information on sponsorships or tickets,https://conta.cc/3EZmiMe, or email samir@warren.edu.