Wayne Brewery Calls For NJ To Change Recent Industry Restrictions

WAYNE, NJ — A Wayne brewery lent its voice for a campaign to end New Jersey's restrictions on the industry, which went into effect last July.

Seven Tribesmen is among New Jersey's breweries calling for the State Legislature that would loosen some of the recently imposed limits.

"Join us in continuing the fight to support New Jersey breweries by texting JERSEYBEER to 52886!" the Wayne business posted Tuesday on social media. "In anticipation of committee votes on A-4630 / S-3038 in the Senate and Assembly during February and/or March, The New Jersey Brewers Guild and the National Brewers Association have been working on a new grassroots email campaign asking members of both the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee and Assembly Oversight Committee to support the above legislation."

New Jersey's Division of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) issued several restrictions July 1 to breweries that limit on-site events and require establishments to only let patrons consume their products on-site if they've taken a tour of the brewery. Read more: Microbreweries In Peril Due To New NJ Restrictions, Industry Says

The edict came amid a years-long battle between the microbrewery and bar/restaurant industries. New Jersey's microbrewery scene has quickly grown in recent years, and many have become community hubs every bit as much as bars. But limited-brewery licenses carry different privileges than those of bars or restaurants, and they often come at a cheaper price than what bars and restaurants pay for licenses to allow alcohol consumption on their premises.

The State Legislature has identical bills that would rescind the limits on event microbreweries can hold, while allowing them to coordinate with food vendors, such as food trucks. The bills were introduced in September, but industry leaders expect legislative committees to vote on the measures in February or March.

Gov. Phil Murphy called for changes to New Jersey's liquor-licensing system in Jan. 12's State of the State address. One reform would include establishing a new consumption license with expanded privileges that wouldn't get capped or restricted. Read more: Naloxone, NJ Liquor Licenses: 4 Things Of Note In Gov. Murphy's Speech

The Brewers Guild of New Jersey supports changing New Jersey's liquor-license laws, says Executive Director Eric Orlando. But Orlando says that new regulations need to come sooner.

"In light of the fact that these proposals may take time to take shape and advance in the legislative process over the next several months," Orlando said in a statement, "we would ask that the Governor immediately take action to suspend the license restrictions currently imposed on breweries by state regulators until a satisfactory statutory fix is finalized."