Jersey Craft Breweries: Continued Growth and Opportunities

​​​​​​The New Jersey craft brewery industry has grown significantly since a 2012 law reduced the red tape for starting a brewery in the Garden State.The 2012 law created a limited brewery license, which, for the first time, allowed breweries to enter the market at a relatively modest price, offer beer sampling, operate a tasting room, sell pints and merchandise onsite, and offer samples of beer. As part of the law, breweries can also sell beer for use outside of the brewery. Prior to the passage of the law, there were only a handful of breweries in New Jersey. However, as a result of the passage of the law, there are now more than 100 breweries operating in the state. 

Given the general decline in retail shopping due to internet retail competition, breweries have helped fill empty store fronts and shopping center units. 

The growth of the industry has provided many economic benefits to the state and local municipalities. Thousands of new jobs have been created for…