NJ ruling defines restrictions for breweries; business owners push for legislation

NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey's Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) issued a special ruling for breweries on Tuesday, addressing industry concerns.

If visitors wanted to drink beer in a tasting room, they used to be required to take a tour of the brewery every time.

Now, you just have to take one tour per year, and the breweries will keep track of repeat customers.

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Brewery owners were worried that some events, like a sip-and-stretch yoga class, would be limited to a few a year. Now, they can hold events, but they can only advertise up to 25 of those specialty events on their premises.

The ruling defines "special events" as those that are promoted through media or provide entertainment, such as quizzo, animal adoptions events, fitness classes or crafting.

Breweries are now allowed to host up to 52 special events, like weddings, and outside beer or wine can be brought in if the brewery permits.

"You welcome that clarification," said Alexis Degan, executive director of the New Jersey Brewers Association, "and the ABC has done a great job of that, and when it comes to the ideological differences that we have, it's time to take it to the Legislature."

Last year, brewery owners felt their livelihoods were threatened with strict rules issued by the ABC. They were lifted and put on hold until now, with more industry-friendly regulations.

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