Brewery laws in n.j.

You're supposed to take a tour first. Say what you will about liking it or not but, that's what the state wants.

 

It is a dumb law. Most breweries give passive or virtual tours. Most patrons lie and say they took the tour.

 

Some have videos you're supposed to watch, some have a piece of paper you're supposed to read, some have a self-guided tour you're supposed to take. I never bother...

 

This.

 

I thought the law was changed last year, but when I visited Cape May Monday I saw it was still in effect to at least some degree. Didn't effect me since I was just doing growler fills.

 

Just another dumbass NJ alcohol law. Why do you have to take a tour? Why can't production breweries serve food? Or open an actual brewpub? Why do brewpubs have to have a full (and therefore super-expensive) liquor license? Why is there no inexpensive option like they have in other states where you can serve your own beer (and possibly other beers from your state), and wine from your state, but no liquor?

I often think that someday I'd like to open a small brewpub (heck, if it weren't for NJ laws and licensing I might have done it already!), and I can say without any doubt it will NOT be in NJ. No way I'm dealing with all the bullsh1t that goes on in this ridiculous state. I don't even want to live here any longer, but I definitely don't want to start any business here (much less an alcohol-related one).

 

Look at what Cape May does. Tells you to go to through a door, it's a small roped off area. There's a laminated sheet you look at (for probably 3 seconds). Walk back out the same door you entered and they ask you if you took the tour.....it's dumb but can't hate the player.

 

I am by no means an expert. But i believe you need to take a tour because the sampling is considered part of the educational process...and without the tour there would be no education. It is a way for them to serve beer without paying for the liquor license.

I don't think they can serve food because it would be competition with local bar and restaurant owners that pay in some places millions of dollars for the liquor license to serve alcohol that breweries do not pay. Believe this is also why most tasting rooms are closed pretty early.

 

I know Ramstien has a sign on the wall telling you to enjoy your tour by looking through the glass doors.

 

I was at the Cape May Brewpub last week, you had to go thru the door and grab a laminated paper to give to the bartender to get a beer, didn't have to do anything but walk in a grab it, tho I did look at the new barrel section they've started. Can't wait to see what barrel aged stuff they unveil.

I got their sampler which requires you to purchase a glass which they'll re-fill 4 times. I also got a growler of their Apple Wheat beer 'apple bomb' so I walked out with beer and a glass. Seems absurd that you have to do a tour and get a piece of paper to get a beer, but can walk out with a glass and growler. I blame Christie. ;-)

 

Except if it wasn't for him you wouldn't be able to drink in a brewery at all.

 

Lets just remember how damn sexy he looks in a baseball uniform.

 

Just to clarify this, you don't actually have to buy one of the glasses to get the tokens/samples. It's $5 without the glass.