TRENTON, NJ – Director James Graziano of the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) announced a significant update for limited brewery licensees and Temporary Authorization Permit (TAP) holders today. The Division will extend the delay in enforcing certain aspects of its brewery activity and event guidelines until January 16, 2024.
This decision follows the initial notice issued on June 30, 2023, which deferred the enforcement of the Special Ruling Authorizing Certain Activities by Holders of Limited Brewery Licenses and related special conditions. The original deferment was set until December 31, 2023, and was in response to pending legislation S3038/A4630, aimed at significantly altering the privileges of craft manufacturers.
The extension comes in the wake of Governor Murphy’s conditional veto of S3038 and its ongoing deliberation in the Legislature. In light of these ongoing discussions, the Division deemed it appropriate to extend the enforcement deferment.
The Division has also indicated readiness to adjust its regulatory policies in accordance with any changes in the pending legislation. This could include withdrawing or modifying the Special Ruling, rescinding some or all of the special conditions on licenses and TAPs, and initiating rulemaking processes.
Until further notice, and except as specified in the December 28, 2023 Notice and the Special Ruling, limited breweries must still adhere to all statutory requirements outlined in N.J.S.A. 33:1-10(1)(b) and other relevant statutes in the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act. The Division has committed to offering additional guidance to the industry as necessary during this transitional period.