Bimmers & Brews at Sunken Silo Delivered – May 2026

Lebanon, NJ — Tuesday, May 12, 2026

The first social event of the 2026 season is in the books. On Tuesday evening, the BMW CCA New Jersey Chapter took over the parking lot — and the taproom — at Sunken Silo Brew Works in Lebanon, NJ. The turnout was strong, the cars were better, and there was a specially brewed IPA that nobody saw coming.

It was a good night.

The Lot

By the time the lot filled in, the range on display made a statement without trying to. An immaculate Alpinweiss E30 on BBS-style wheels sat in the gravel under the trees. A Sterlingsilber E31 850i — one of the cleanest around — drew its share of long looks a few rows over. An E46 Touring led a tight row of performance machines in the main lot, a Valencia Orange 1M parked right alongside it.

Then there were the MINIs. A full contingent — British Racing Green JCW, red Cooper, black Clubman and more — lined up in the overflow lot as a reminder that the BMW family tree runs wider than some expect.

Empower Motorsport Shows Up — Fully

Club sponsor Empower Motorsport didn’t just attend. They arrived with their full race setup: the truck, the enclosed ATC trailer, and the star of the show — the #420, their E90 diesel that competes in BMW CCA Club Racing’s C-Mod class.

Hood up. Full race livery. People standing three deep around it.

That “SLOW CROSSING” sign from Sunken Silo — pint glass where the pedestrian usually goes — framed the whole scene better than anything we could have planned. A fully-built race car. A brewery sign. Two guys with beers talking about what’s under the hood. That’s the event, right there.

Batch #420

Here’s the detail that elevated the night: Empower Motorsport and Sunken Silo collaborated on a beer for the occasion. Batch #420 — a 5.5% American IPA with a racing-inspired label — exclusively poured at the event.

The can design alone is worth a second look: checkered flags, the Empower color scheme, Sunken Silo branding, and that bold “420” in race-number font. It’s the kind of thing that makes the collaboration feel considered, not just promotional.

It tasted good, too.

Inside Sunken Silo

For those who stepped inside between conversations, Sunken Silo’s taproom was exactly the right setting. Long bar, chalkboard tap list, warm light. Comfortable without trying too hard. The kind of place you stay longer than you planned.

The Chapter Table — and a Lucky Winner

The chapter table had info, flyers, and one very coveted raffle prize: a 1:18 scale BMW M8 GTE RC Assembly Model Kit — an officially licensed build-it-yourself race car. Somebody went home very happy.

First of Many

Events like this one are built by volunteers, powered by enthusiasm, and — apparently — made better with a custom-brewed IPA named after a race car.

This was one of the first socials of the season, and the bar has been set.

Keep an eye on the Chapter calendar. More is coming.

Stay Up to Date — Join the BMW CCA New Jersey Chapter

Photography: Erik Lee

All BMW CCA New Jersey Chapter events are open to members and non-members alike. BMW ownership is not required — enthusiasm is.