Gibbons Law Alert

Gibbons Law Alert

Category: Liquor Licensing

NJABC Suspends New Limited Brewery Rules

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Posted in Liquor Licensing / Regulatory Counseling and Departmental Action

On October 3, 2018

Less than two weeks after issuing it, the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (NJABC) has suspended its Special Ruling that imposed new regulations on Limited Brewery Licensees. The Special Ruling released in late September included restrictions on, among other things, special events and entertainment at Limited Breweries. In its announcement, the NJABC stated that the suspension of the restrictions will provide the opportunity to engage in further conversations with craft breweries and other alcoholic beverage license holders about the impact of the Special Ruling. The NJABC is also poised to work with state legislators to determine whether new legislation is needed to update the law that prompted the Special Ruling.

NJABC Issues New Grand Opening Permit, Limited Brewery Rules

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Posted in Liquor Licensing / Regulatory Counseling and Departmental Action

On September 26, 2018

The New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (NJABC) has recently issued two notices to the regulated community – the first notice impacting all consumption licensees hosting a Grand Opening event (known as a “soft opening”) and the second impacting the operation of a Limited Brewery. Due to the highly regulated nature of alcoholic beverages and the recent announcement of these rules, licensees should be diligent in their compliance. The Grand Opening Permit authorizes an on-premise consumption licensee to sponsor a one-time private event on the licensed premises at its initial opening. With this permit, the NJABC recognizes that a new licensee may want to introduce itself to certain members of the community through a private event before its opening to the general public. The licensee must maintain a list of all individuals invited and when the invitation was accepted (no same-day invitations or “walk-up” invitees), and the list must be provided to the NJABC within ten days after the event. The licensee can offer an open bar at the event for no more than three hours (unless the permit authorizes differently), and the entire licensed premises must be closed to the public with clear and conspicuous signage that the premises is closed for a private event. The new regulations for Limited Brewery Licensees (those breweries with...

Retail Liquor License Renewals Now Due

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Posted in Liquor Licensing

On June 27, 2016

All New Jersey retail liquor licenses for the 2015-2016 license term expire on June 30, 2016. All New Jersey retail liquor licensees should have received notification in April through the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s (ABC’s) web-based system, POSSE ABC, to renew their liquor licenses utilizing the ABC’s online portal. Subject to the specific renewal deadline fixed by each municipality, all state and municipal retail liquor license renewal fees for the 2016-2017 license term are currently due. Prior to renewal, all retail liquor licensees must also receive an Alcoholic Beverage Retail License Clearance Certificate for renewal from the Division of Taxation.

New Year’s Eve All Night Alcoholic Beverage Permit Application Deadline Approaching in New York

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Posted in Liquor Licensing

On November 3, 2015

The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) has announced on its webpage that the submission deadline for New Year’s Eve All Night Permit Applications is November 16, 2015. The SLA has outlined the criteria that will be considered in deciding whether to issue such permits. They include: timely filing of the application; licensee’s disciplinary history (including any pending charges); and whether, given the nature of the event, the licensee has adequate facilities and security plans in place.

Untapped Potential in New Jersey’s Nascent Craft Beer Industry

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Posted in Liquor Licensing

On November 5, 2014

Two years ago, New Jersey lawmakers revised an archaic law that had been a major obstacle to anyone who wanted to launch a start-up brewery in the state. New Jersey’s old law severely restricted craft brewers’ ability to actually sell their beer to visitors of the brewery, thus undermining the economics of on-site bars or tap rooms, which most small operations in other states rely on as an important revenue source, especially in the early stages. The old law even limited how many free samples a brewer could hand out, which proved particularly troublesome for entrepreneurs trying to gain brand recognition and market share, and appeal to consumers’ varied tastes. The new law was intended to put brewpubs, microbreweries and so-called “nanobreweries” on an equal footing with competitors in neighboring states. While this legislation was a welcome step for the craft beer industry, more can be done.

“Operation Swill”: New Jersey ABC and Division of Criminal Justice Raid 29 Bars and Restaurants That Allegedly Served Cheap Alcohol as “Premium” Brands

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Posted in Liquor Licensing

On May 24, 2013

On May 23, 2013, New Jersey’s Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa and Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (“ABC”) Director Michael Halfacre announced the details of “Operation Swill,” a year-long investigation involving more than 100 investigators throughout New Jersey. Operation Swill reached its climax one day earlier when ABC and Division of Criminal Justice personnel executed raids on 29 establishments throughout New Jersey suspected of substituting premium alcoholic beverage brands with “well brand spirits,” i.e., non-premium brands. N.J.A.C. § 13:2-23.19 prohibits a licensee from substituting another brand other than ordered by a customer unless agreed to by the customer. Approximately 1,000 bottles were seized during the raids, which will be held for further testing by the ABC and manufacturers.

New Law Generates Buzz Among South Jersey’s Wine Growers

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Posted in Liquor Licensing

On May 11, 2012

On May 1, 2012, a law took effect that will allow New Jersey farmers and wineries to skip wholesalers and sell directly to retailers and consumers. The new law grants similar rights to out-of-state wineries and finally cleared the way for the Garden State to begin issuing new winery licenses to growers. While local business and political leaders are hoping the relaxed regulations will encourage further investment in the state’s wine industry, producers, retailers, and wine lovers alike are cheering the increased access to locally-grown wines ahead of the summer tourism season.

New Jersey Grants Out-of-State Wineries Direct Access to Consumers & Retailers

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Posted in Liquor Licensing

On January 23, 2012

On January 17, 2012, Governor Chris Christie signed into law a bill allowing out-of-state winemakers to sell directly to New Jersey consumers and retailers. The bill was in response to the Third Court’s decision in Freeman v. Corzine, which we reviewed on this blog a year ago. The decision invalidated a New Jersey law allowing certain New Jersey farmers and wineries to skip wholesalers and sell directly to retailers and consumers. The Court determined that the law ran afoul of the Constitution’s Dormant Commerce Clause because it imposed restrictions benefiting in-state wineries and farmers at the expense of their out-of-state competitors. This new law is intended to balance the competing rights of in-state and out-of-state wineries.

Pennsylvania’s Alcohol Sale Privatization Debate: What Does It Mean for Retail Beer and Wine Sellers?

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Posted in Liquor Licensing

On January 18, 2012

Pennsylvania’s state-run stores could be on the verge of losing their decades-old monopoly on wine and liquor sales. On December 13, 2011, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ Liquor Control Committee voted 15-10 to approve an amended version of Pennsylvania House Bill 11, (“Pa. H.B. 11”), which would allow the state’s 1,200 beer retailers to sell wine to the public, in competition with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s (“PLCB”) 620 state-run stores. Notably, large supermarket chains within the state stand to gain an enormous benefit from the proposed law, which would allow for the first time in-store wine sales, as well as limited in-store tasting events. The proposed legislation now sits before the full House, awaiting floor debate, additional amendments, and a possible vote. The process could begin as early as this month.

Time is Running Out to Renew Expired New Jersey Liquor Licenses

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Posted in Liquor Licensing

On October 18, 2010

The time period to renew an expired New Jersey alcoholic beverage license is rapidly coming to a close and will end on November 8, 2010. Under a provision of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, N.J.S.A. 33:1-1 et seq., enacted earlier this year, a person holding an expired license, which was not renewed within the five years prior to May 6, 2010, may file for renewal of that license provided that (i) the applicant pay all renewal fees for the years in which timely renewals were not filed, and (ii) the applicant’s failure to apply for a renewal during that period was due to circumstances beyond his control or due to other extraordinary circumstances.

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