Fall is coming and it’s one of the best times to be a small brewery in New Jersey. Octoberfest, Fall Festivals and other fall-themed events are coming, but you won’t be able to enjoy them at your local brewery with a nice plate of bratwurst or a good burger.
That’s because Phil Murphy is holding the industry hostage in order to bargain with legislators for more liquor licenses statewide.
Murphy plans to conditionally veto a bipartisan bill that aims to lift event and food restrictions on New Jersey breweries. The bill has awaited the Governor’s signature since late June after receiving unanimous support from state lawmakers.
Murphy’s goal is to send the bill back to the Legislature, aiming for a revised version that aligns with his administration’s objective of comprehensive liquor license reform.
Jennifer Sciortino, spokesperson for the Governor, stated that Murphy supports easing brewery restrictions but wants a complete overhaul of the state’s “outdated” liquor license system rather than a “piecemeal approach.”
Murphy intends to veto the bill conditionally and add other liquor license reform provisions once legislators reconvene in Trenton after November’s elections, in which all 120 legislative seats are up for grabs.
It might not get done in time for the busy fall season.
The current legislation would amend regulations put in place by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control in 2019. Among other stipulations, these regulations limited the number of events breweries can host each year and restricted them to serving only small prepackaged snacks.
These rules were suspended in July but are set to resume on January 1.
Brewery owners have expressed opposition to these rules and support the bill, which the Governor plans to conditionally veto.