Homebrewing in NJ ILLEGAL w/o permit!!!

[RickWG]

I'm from San Diego, California. My wife is from NJ. I've been there to visit the inlaws and seen the place. Crowded, crappy roads, mean drivers, mean people, Toll roads, smelly, dirty..I could go on but you get the idea. I was offered a job there but my wife didn't want to move back there so we visit once a year.
You can keep just about everyplace back there.

Just to be on topic. I went into a shop that sold beer there and they do have good selections. Some beers I couldn't even find out here. Weird though, it's a store that sells only alcohol. Out here we can get beer from the supermarket if we want.

 

[LuckyPenny]

I'm from San Diego, California. My wife is from NJ. I've been there to visit the inlaws and seen the place. Crowded, crappy roads, mean drivers, mean people, Toll roads, smelly, dirty..I could go on but you get the idea. I was offered a job there but my wife didn't want to move back there so we visit once a year.
You can keep just about everyplace back there.

Just to be on topic. I went into a shop that sold beer there and they do have good selections. Some beers I couldn't even find out here. Weird though, it's a store that sells only alcohol. Out here we can get beer from the supermarket if we want.

There are two supermarkets in my town in which there is a phenomenal selection of beer, so I have no idea where the idea of "alcohol only" stores came from. Rick, I'm just curious, what town/city is your wife from? Because I can say that I went to Oakland, California, and came to the conclusion that the entire state is not a nice place.

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

Believe me, ATF isn't going after "illegal homebrewers" anytime soon.

This is a state law, right? The BATFE would not be involved, it would be some kind of state enforcement agency.

 

[foyt20]

There are two supermarkets in my town in which there is a phenomenal selection of beer, so I have no idea where the idea of "alcohol only" stores came from. Rick, I'm just curious, what town/city is your wife from? Because I can say that I went to Oakland, California, and came to the conclusion that the entire state is not a nice place.

Only 2 supermarkets per chain (Kings is one you are shopping at, yes?) can have a liquor licence to sell in the state of NJ.

Guess what, yes, there are high taxes, and all the politicians are criminals, but guess what, the turnpike corridor from exit 9 to 18 is a crap hole, but guess what thats not the whole state. go to central or southern New Jersey, and it is a beautiful state. Guess what california, Ive been to your state and guess what you have crappy parts too. And texas, and pennsylvania etc etc.

There are some things that need to be fixed, but please remove your heads from your rectums, have a homebrew, and get over "ewwwww NJ". There are some people that like it here, like me.

:rockin:

 

[Airborneguy]

You live on Staten Island, you're basically a New Jerseyan!

Pretty much. I'd much rather identify with NJ than the rest of this hell-hole city!


Interestingly, a lot of homebrewers I meet from Jersey don't even know about the permit, so obviously no one is enforcing it.

 

[RickWG]

There are two supermarkets in my town in which there is a phenomenal selection of beer, so I have no idea where the idea of "alcohol only" stores came from. Rick, I'm just curious, what town/city is your wife from? Because I can say that I went to Oakland, California, and came to the conclusion that the entire state is not a nice place.

They called it a package store or something. Wife is from Kearny, kinda right outside Newark. Kearny isn't bad but Newark is like Oakland. ;-)

Don't judge California on Oakland. Really the place is kindof a dump. It's where the OAKLAND RAIDERS got their reputation. Stay away from Stockton too.

Beer, Beer, Beer. Going to hooters for some beer and wings today.

 

[RickWG]

Guess what, yes, there are high taxes, and all the politicians are criminals, but guess what, the turnpike corridor from exit 9 to 18 is a crap hole, but guess what thats not the whole state. go to central or southern New Jersey, and it is a beautiful state. Guess what california, Ive been to your state and guess what you have crappy parts too. And texas, and pennsylvania etc etc.

There are some things that need to be fixed, but please remove your heads from your rectums, have a homebrew, and get over "ewwwww NJ". There are some people that like it here, like me.

:rockin:

OK. I admit it. CA has some Ewwww places that I wouldn't want to walk in in the daytime let alone at night.
Back on topic.


Favorite Wings at hooters: Parmasean garlic wings.
Favorite beer at hooters: Nothing. It's mostly BMC but it's cheap and you're at hooters.

 

[nostalgia]

Hey ABG, where on SI are you? I spent my first 26 years in Tottenville.

Now I'm out in the northwestern part of NJ. In the woods, on 5 beautiful, wooded acres.

Yes, the laws suck, the taxes blow, the government is corrupt and eats money like Sally Struthers at a Vegas buffet, but way out here really is a nice place to live. The people are nice and friendly, the roads are quiet, plenty of farms for fresh produce and beer ingredients

-Joe

 

[dancness]

The best tomatoes and corn are grown in Jersey. The best tomatoes are grown by me.

 

[nostalgia]

Also, regarding the permit: I ignored it for the last 3 years, but I'm in the process of trying to go pro and am harassing assemblypeople and senators about laws, so I thought it'd be good if I finally applied

I sent in my $15 and had my homebrewing certificate less than a week later.

-Joe

 

[foyt20]

Also, regarding the permit: I ignored it for the last 3 years, but I'm in the process of trying to go pro and am harassing assemblypeople and senators about laws, so I thought it'd be good if I finally applied

I sent in my $15 and had my homebrewing certificate less than a week later.

-Joe

One time fee or annually?

 

[nostalgia]

Annually, of course It is still NJ after all.

-Joe

 

[Airborneguy]

Joe, I've lived all over but I originally come from New Dorp. I'm in Richmondtown now. Before I bought my house I was a perpetual apartment-changer... lol. I've also lived in Bloomingdale, Woodrow, Annadale, Dongan Hills, Eltingville and Bay Terrace. Wow... writing that out makes me look crazy!

My wife's family is off 280 where NJ starts to get real nice, and I have family even further out in Morris County. I laugh when people knock NJ, especially people from here. Even the Shore has some awesome towns that are not invested with guidos. I personally enjoy Avalon and Matawan.

 

[Love2BrewCrew]

The first love2brew location will be opening in central NJ in fall 2011. NJ is a nice place and about to be a lot nicer for homebrewers!

 

[LuckyPenny]

They called it a package store or something. Wife is from Kearny, kinda right outside Newark. Kearny isn't bad but Newark is like Oakland. ;-)

Don't judge California on Oakland. Really the place is kindof a dump. It's where the OAKLAND RAIDERS got their reputation. Stay away from Stockton too.

Beer, Beer, Beer. Going to hooters for some beer and wings today.

Yeah, that's my point. You can't judge NJ solely from that area. I live in Morris County and love it.

Getting back to beer, I can't wait to go home and have a Belgian witbier homebrew on my deck. I'm in an un-airconditioned classroom and we're in the midst of a heatwave so it's going to taste exceptionally sweet.

 

[LuckyPenny]

Only 2 supermarkets per chain (Kings is one you are shopping at, yes?) can have a liquor licence to sell in the state of NJ.

Guess what, yes, there are high taxes, and all the politicians are criminals, but guess what, the turnpike corridor from exit 9 to 18 is a crap hole, but guess what thats not the whole state. go to central or southern New Jersey, and it is a beautiful state. Guess what california, Ive been to your state and guess what you have crappy parts too. And texas, and pennsylvania etc etc.

There are some things that need to be fixed, but please remove your heads from your rectums, have a homebrew, and get over "ewwwww NJ". There are some people that like it here, like me.

:rockin:

Really? There's a Kings and A&P within a mile and a half of each other in my town that both have large beer/liquor selections. Interesting.

 

[RickWG]

Really? There's a Kings and A&P within a mile and a half of each other in my town that both have large beer/liquor selections. Interesting.

I guess the place next to the inlaws is a shop rite or something like that. Attached to the left side of it is a booze store. Father in law calls it a packy or something. Not up on the NJ slang.

 

[RickWG]

Annually, of course It is still NJ after all.

-Joe

Sure it's not CA?

 

[jonbomb]

Figures... the great communist state of NJ would do something like that. Property tax there is soo damn high.

 

[kapbrew13]

The first love2brew location will be opening in central NJ in fall 2011. NJ is a nice place and about to be a lot nicer for homebrewers!

HBS? Bar? And where in central Jersey?

 

[AnOldUR]

. . . I personally enjoy Avalon and Matawan.

Daughter and SIL have a house in Matawan. Nice area, but we're trying our best to get them to move out to our side of the state.

Taxes in NJ $uck, but there's work here. Beats low taxes and no job!

 

[kapbrew13]

If you don't live here, stop your hating.
If you live here vote the slouch Democrats out. They just rejected helping the tax payers by caving into the unions.
Remember to vote in November.

 

[Airborneguy]

Taxes in NJ $uck, but there's work here. Beats low taxes and no job!

In some ways, the taxes aren't as bad as they seem though. I pay about 1/3 in real estate tax compared to my inlaws for a similar sized house, but since we will soon have a kid in private school (almost a must here), I'd be better off in NJ where i could use the public schools in most places. Your sales taxes are better and the income tax seems only slightly higher (my wife works in Jersey so we pay both, sort of). I'd move to NJ in a heartbeat if I could. I particularly like the Old Bridge/Middletown-area. I have to live in NY though to keep my job.

The alcohol laws in NJ are weird though. Even the permits for commercial brewing are much more expensive and hard to get compared to NY. An on-site brewing permit for NY is only $300 a year. Makes it tempting to try to open a brewpubs when I retire.

 

[AnOldUR]

. . . but since we will soon have a kid in private school (almost a must here), I'd be better off in NJ where i could use the public schools in most places.

An on-site brewing permit for NY is only $300 a year. Makes it tempting to try to open a brewpubs when I retire.

The schools are what kept us in Hunterdon County. Our son got into the Naval Academy and our daughter got some good scholarship money. A lot of credit has to go to being in a safe and productive school system through their high school years.

Not sure what keeps us here now except habit and being near grandkids. NY might be an option if going beyond being homebrewer. Don't think I could ever make a living at it, but after retirement . . .

 

[Great_Neck_Brewer]

Born and raised in NJ
I will defend it until I die
Can't wait to move back
$20 to homebrew? Here you go, now leave me alone

 

[nostalgia]

The alcohol laws in NJ are weird though. Even the permits for commercial brewing are much more expensive and hard to get compared to NY. An on-site brewing permit for NY is only $300 a year.

My argument exactly, which is why I'm trying to help get that changed. The distilling laws are even worse - 50 times more expensive to distill spirits from grain here. No wonder we don't have any craft distilleries.

-Joe

 

[nostalgia]

Also, there's already a bill introduced that would drop the fee to homebrew. I'll see if I can find it.

-Joe

 

[nostalgia]

Ah here we go: Link to A4012.

INTRODUCED MAY 19, 2011
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman CRAIG J. COUGHLIN
District 19 (Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Eliminates permit requirement for home production of wine and beer for personal use.

-Joe

 

[jfowler1]

HBS? Bar? And where in central Jersey?

Get back to this!

I am in Bedminster, and just about an hour from my choice of 3 HBS's. I would love to hear where love2brew plans on opening (and what exactly it is).

Joe

 

[austinb]

I'm sure NJ isn't the only state with archaic laws left over from the prohibition era that are basically ignored and not enforced anymore. Here in oregon last year the oregon liquor control commission decided to go by the books and enforce an old law that prohibited homebrew from being removed from the premises of where it was brewed. Because of this all of the homebrew competitions such as the one at the oregon state fair had to be cancelled. The homebrewers here in oregon lobbied the state senate which eventually drafted a law making it legal again to bring a homebrew to your friends house or a competition. It was passed unanimously In the state legislature and soon after signed into law by the governor. So NJ you are not alone in silly old laws related to homebrewing and if your state liquor control commission ever decides to enforce the law I'm sure you guys can come together and get it changed and will most likely be able to get the law overturned relatively quickly.