Gov. Christie Signed Brewers Bill into Law. Thanks for Your Help!

After two years of a lot of hard work and support from our fans and great legislative sponsors, our bill has become law.  Here's the specifics:

 

The law, which takes effect October 1, puts New Jersey on a more equal footing with brewers in neighboring Delaware, New York and Pennsylvania. There are currently some 25 licensed microbreweries and brewpubs in New Jersey.

Provisions include:

* Allowing microbreweries to sell their products to consumers for consumption on or off the premises, meaning a microbrewery could have a sampling room with taps and bottles. Sales for on-premise consumption are limited to brewery tours. Sales for off-premise consumption are limited to 15.5 gallons or half a keg per customer

* Allowing microbreweries to offer product samples of an amount no larger than 4oz. on or off the licensed premise. An ABC permit would be required to provide samples.

* Incorporating a 24-hour "at rest" provision for the state's microbreweries. The new provision will ensure greater transparency and accountability for state tax and law enforcement officials when monitoring existing regulations and tax compliance.

* Increasing the maximum annual allowable production for brewpubs from 3,000 to 10,000 barrels. This will allow brewpubs to produce enough beer so it can be sold through the wholesale distribution network.

* Allowing brewpubs opened by the same entity to operate a maximum of 10 brewpubs, up from the previous limit of two.

* Allowing brewpubs to offer samples of their product off the licensed premise as permitted by ABC at charitable or civic events for promotional purposes.