Liquor license reform was a top issue for Gov. Phil Murphy this year, and the matter is expected to be a big topic during this year’s lame-duck session.
Lawmakers have been deliberating on how to regulate breweries, but Murphy said he would conditionally veto any bill that included breweries without broader liquor license reforms. That has left many brewery owners feeling uncertain as the time ticks down to the end of the legislative session, with strict regulations set to resume on Jan. 1 if no action is taken. There’s also no clear answer on how to handle liquor license owners who’ve already spent millions to purchase them.
“To create another barrier for local businesses to thrive is really detrimental right now because especially with how the economy is right and you know, everyone’s just feeling it a lot,” said Cindy DeRama, the co-owner of Twin Elephant Brewing in Chatham.
