Hunterdon Brewing Company Fined ​$2M By State

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Hunterdon Brewing Company has been fined an unprecedented $2 million for alleged trade practice violations, N.J. Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control announced Monday.

The Division alleges that Hunterdon Brewing Company LLC sold draft beer tap systems at below fair market prices and concealed the charges by mislabeling them as “miscellaneous draft charges” on invoices.

The fine is the largest ever imposed on a single wholesale licensee for trade practice violations, according to the Division.

“Fair market prices exist for a reason. The improper trade practices allegedly employed by Hunterdon Brewing threatened to disrupt competition and throw the wholesale industry into disarray,” said Attorney General Porrino. “Consumers suffer when these laws and regulations are ignored. The Division’s actions ensure that New Jersey consumers will continue to benefit from a stable alcoholic beverage industry.”

Hunterdon Brewing’s parent company, Craft Beer Guild, cooperated with the investigation, officials said.

The fine is payable in four $500,000 installments over the next year. If required compliance audits show no substantial similar violations, the Division said it will waive $250,000 of the last payment.

"Hunterdon has taken steps to educate its employees on the laws and regulations of New Jersey and has established improved record keeping practices to ensure compliance. Hunterdon fully cooperated with the Division during its investigation," the company said in a statement.