nostalgia
Well-Known Member
I have been looking into brewing laws in NJ for some time now (original post).
Recently, bill A3063 has been introduced. It adds a Farm Brewery License to the mix, which provides for farms to sell malt beverages if they use what they grow. It does not, however, provide provision for any distribution. The beer would have to be bottled and sold for consumption off premises. There is a Facebook page supporting it here.
I think that's great, but it really doesn't help those of us looking to start a nano-brewery here in the state. So I took it a step further and have started sending emails to our state representatives. I drafted the letter below and have sent it out to sponsors of A3063 for starters. I'm going to get it out to the governor next, then anyone else who will listen.
You'll notice I included distilling licenses in there, as I think NJ really could use some good, legal, craft distillers. And I'd love to be the first
I have wanted to get involved for some time now, but it just seemed too daunting a task. Turns out it's not so bad - I'm actually enjoying reading the laws - and if you want to get involved too, I hope this helps.
Links for your perusal:
NJ laws regarding alcohol production and distribution
NY Beer laws and fees
NY Liquor laws and fees
Recently, bill A3063 has been introduced. It adds a Farm Brewery License to the mix, which provides for farms to sell malt beverages if they use what they grow. It does not, however, provide provision for any distribution. The beer would have to be bottled and sold for consumption off premises. There is a Facebook page supporting it here.
I think that's great, but it really doesn't help those of us looking to start a nano-brewery here in the state. So I took it a step further and have started sending emails to our state representatives. I drafted the letter below and have sent it out to sponsors of A3063 for starters. I'm going to get it out to the governor next, then anyone else who will listen.
You'll notice I included distilling licenses in there, as I think NJ really could use some good, legal, craft distillers. And I'd love to be the first
Dear Assemblyman/Assemblywoman,
I am writing in regard to ABC statutes. I recently learned of legislation A3063, adding the Farm Brewery License. This is a great and much-needed change. While it is in revision, I would like to propose that the Limited Brewery License (33:1-10 1b) and the Plenary Distillery License (33:1-10 3a) also be reviewed.
I am forming a business plan to open a brewery and/or distillery on a very small scale here in NJ. Nano-scale, or boutique, breweries and distilleries are opening in other states at an increasing rate. I believe a large reason we are not seeing this expansion here in NJ is the fact that the license fees are cost-prohibitive for a smaller venture, which will necessarily have a higher expense-to-profit ratio than a huge company.
For example, the Limited Brewery License 33:1-10 1b allows for 50,000 barrels/year of production and costs $1,250/year. A nano-brewery might only produce 100 barrels/year. The same license in NY (Articles 4:51 and 4:56) only costs $320/year: a quarter of the cost.
The Plenary Distillery License is much more shocking: 33:1-10 3a costs $12,500/year, which appears to be the smallest license available to distill spirits from grain. The same license in NY (Articles 5:61-1a and 5:66-1a) is $250/year, up to 35,000 gallons. Thats 50 times more in NJ.
A small business has little chance of recouping a $12,500/year fee, especially in the first few years when its most vulnerable to failure. To look at it a different way, a business can save $12,250/year just by relocating 50 miles to NY. With that in mind, its no wonder we have no micro-distilleries here.
I would love to open my business here in the state I live in and love. I feel that revising the fees and/or adding more tiers for small operations would help bring new business to the state and open up availability of hand-crafted spirits and malt beverages.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the matter.
Sincerely,
Joe Fisher
I have wanted to get involved for some time now, but it just seemed too daunting a task. Turns out it's not so bad - I'm actually enjoying reading the laws - and if you want to get involved too, I hope this helps.
Links for your perusal:
NJ laws regarding alcohol production and distribution
NY Beer laws and fees
NY Liquor laws and fees