Lampitt Bill to Allow State Breweries to Expand Business and Serve More Customers Approved by Assembly Panel

(TRENTON) – Breweries are one of the many businesses hit hard by the effects of the pandemic. Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (D-Camden, Burlington) sponsors legislation recently approved by the Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations that would allow New Jersey breweries to serve customers without requiring them to participate in a tour.

Current law provides that the holder of a limited brewery license is entitled to brew up to 300,000 barrels of 31 fluid gallons capacity per year of malt alcoholic beverages to sell and distribute to wholesalers and retailers. These licenses authorize breweries to sell their product at retail to consumers on the premises for on-site consumption, but only in connection with a tour of the brewery.

Under the bill (A-1610), consumers would not be required to take a tour of the brewery to purchase beverages for on-site consumption. The bill does require the licensee to make tours of the brewery available to consumers during business hours when the brewery is open to the general public, and brewing, packaging, or maintenance operations allow for the conducting of a tour.

Assemblywoman Lampitt issued the following statement on the legislation:

“This legislation would align New Jersey law with neighboring states, increasing demand for craft beers and generating greater retail sales. Providing tours during the public health crisis has simply not been feasible and have cost these businesses money. Allowing these establishments to expand their customer base could help them recoup some of the earnings they have not been able to make over the last year.”