Re:SF's Anchor Brewing Company shutting down after 127 years
by ibejoeb on Thursday July 13, 2023 @11:29AM
(#36710761)
> more likely it's just an effort to regulate alcohol that doesn't take into account the changes in the craft beer scene in the last couple of decades.
This isn't a law. It's an order that was issued just 3 years ago.
A bill to undo it--which should not even be necessary given it's not legislation--was passed unanimously by both houses of the state legislature. The governor is sitting on it and hasn't commented.
Re:SF's Anchor Brewing Company shutting down after 127 years
by mlyle on Thursday July 13, 2023 @01:11PM
(#36712587)
> > effort to regulate alcohol
> This isn't a law.
Yes, this was why the word "regulate" was used.
> which should not even be necessary given it's not legislation
Lawmakers empower regulators to make ordinary rules without specifying every detail in laws. Sometimes lawmakers don't like what regulators do, though, and choose to exercise more direct oversight.
You can be a bar or restaurant that serves alcohol (retail consumption license).
You can also be a brewpub (restricted brewery license), which comes with production limits and requires the above.
You can be a brewery, which mostly makes and sells beer to retailers and distributors to consume elsewhere, but might have some tasting events (limited brewery license).
New Jersey strictly limits the number of liquor licenses of different types. Limited brewery licenses don't count against these limits: it's expected they're mostly selling their goods to other licensees.
It might be protectionism, but more likely it's just an effort to regulate alcohol that doesn't take into account the changes in the craft beer scene in the last couple of decades.