(TRENTON) – Legislation by Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (D-Camden/Burlington) and Senator Donald Norcross (D-Camden/Gloucester) to create a cidery and meadery license in New Jersey has been advanced by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
“In New Jersey, we’ve done a great deal of legislation to encourage our New Jersey-based wineries and craft breweries, which has created jobs and economic stimulus for our region,” said Lampitt. “This bill builds on that momentum by updating outdated laws. By providing support to cideries and meaderies in New Jersey, we are taking the next step in helping our homegrown industries thrive.”
“As the Garden State, New Jersey should be leading the way when it comes to developing products from fruit and honey, not getting left behind by our draconian liquor laws,” said Senator Norcross. “We have proven time and again that craft products from this state are in high demand. Let’s capitalize on our rich agriculture industry and spur economic growth in the process.”
Bill S2461/A3740 creates a cidery and meadery license which permits the holder to manufacture a maximum of 25,000 barrels of hard cider and 25,000 barrels of mead and to sell these products to wholesalers and retailers in New Jersey and other states. Like similar small-batch production licenses championed by Norcross, this bill grants the permit holder to sell their products to consumers for consumption off-site, and allows a provision for on-site sampling. It also allows current brewery or winery license holders to begin producing cider and/or mead.
Hard cider and mead are beverages with a long history that have grown in popularity in recent years. The bill was developed by legislators in conjunction with local entrepreneurs interested in specializing in hard ciders and meads.
“We should not be turning away good business because our laws have failed to keep up with the times,” Senator Norcross added.
The bill was approved by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee by a unanimous vote.
