TRENTON, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Restrictions on events and some menu options for New Jersey breweries are down the drain.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on Tuesday signed the legislation that passed last week, marking the official end of a trying time for brewery owners, who said it was tough being caught in the middle of negotiations for liquor law reform.
Murphy conditionally vetoed a bill last November that provided relief for brewery owners, because he said it didn’t go far enough. The new legislation contains most of the reforms recommended in his veto.
With the new law signed, there are no longer limits on the number of events breweries can host. They can also serve some snacks and soft drinks, partner with food vendors to give customers more options, and can host up to 25 offsite events each year.
The new law also requires licenses that have been inactive for two years be used or sold. Legislators say 1,400 inactive licenses will be placed back into the market. Shopping malls will also get additional licenses under the measure.
“This is frankly the lowest of low-hanging fruit, taking these inactive licenses off the bench and putting them back into circulation,” said state Sen. Troy Singleton earlier this month, after the bill advanced to a full vote. The bill also received applause from members of the New Jersey Brewers Guild.