Two new types of licenses for wineries and breweries in New Jersey have been introduced in the state assembly. The details of the proposed legislation are highlighted, below.

Farm Brewery License

The proposed legislation would create a “farm brewery license” allowing a licensee to brew up to 2,000 barrels of malt alcoholic beverages a year for retail sale for consumption off premises and to offer samples on the premises.  Issuance of the license requires that the brewery be located and constructed upon a tract of land exclusively under the control of the license holder; that the licensee be actively engaged in farming on or adjacent to the brewery premises; and that the license holder is growing or cultivating hops or another product used in the production of the malt alcoholic beverage. The cost of the license varies based upon the quantity of malt alcohol that the holder manufactures. The cost range for the license is between $100 to $300.

Winery-Brewery Sublicense 

The proposed legislation also institutes a “winery-brewery sublicense” that would permit wineries to produce up to 3,000 barrels of malt alcoholic beverages for retail sale to consumers for consumption off the licensed premises and to offer samples on the premises. To receive this sublicense, the licensee must be the holder of a plenary winery license or farm winery license; the licensee must be engaged in farming on or adjacent to the winery premises; and must be growing and cultivating hops or another product used in the production of malt alcoholic beverage. The fee for the sublicense is $750.

The full language of the proposed legislation can be viewed here. For more information on Stark & Stark’s Beer & Spirits group, please click here.