(Trenton)-  Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) issued the following statement today in support of New Jersey’s microbreweries and pledged to take legislative action needed to reverse the ruling by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission that sets strict limits on the ability of these businesses to continue to expand their business operations:

“Microbreweries in New Jersey have been very succesful in captalizing on new opportunities that have attracted a growing number of customers,  created new jobs and contributed to economic growth in our communities. These microbreweries epitomize the best qualities of small businesses and we should be doing all that we can to support the entrepreneurs in this industry.

“I strongly believe the ruling by the director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control is inconsistent with the law intending to help foster craft breweries in the state and sets unreasonable restrictions on small businesses taking advantage of the opportunities to grow and prosper.

“I will work with my caucus to ensure legislative intent is adhered to.”     

Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland) issued the following statement today in support of New Jersey’s microbreweries, pledging to take whatever legislative action is needed to allow the breweries to continue to operate successfully:

“Microbreweries in New Jersey have been very succesful in captalizing on new opportunities that have attracted a growing number of customers,  created new jobs and contributed to economic growth in their communities. These microbreweries epitomize the best qualities of small business and we should be doing what we can to support them.

“I will work with my legislative colleagues to develop legislation that will bring more clarity to state regulations so that microbreweries can operate successfully while maintaining an appropriate business  distinction between C-license restaraunts and the microbreweries. This will allow the breweries to continue to grow and prosper.”