NJ breweries are allowed to deliver beer in wake of coronavirus, Phil Murphy clarifies
Breweries can once again offer home delivery, Governor Phil Murphy clarified at a press conference on March 30.
New Jersey's hundreds of craft brewery taprooms have been either closed or limited to takeout due to coronavirus. On March 16, an executive order stated that breweries would be allowed to deliver beer for the first time to keep breweries in business. Under previous rules from the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control home delivery was not allowed.
On March 21, the wording on the executive order was changed to state that breweries could not, in fact, deliver cases of beer.
But that ruling was again reversed during the March 30 press conference by Gov. Murphy.
“This is the only decision that should have been made,” said Torie Fisher, owner of Backward Flag Brewing Co. in Forked River, where the majority of staff are veterans, first responders or family members of one. “This will allow us to continue to have a fighting chance in keeping our doors open and encourage people to stay safely at home while we deliver to their doorstep. I couldn’t be happier with the announcement today.“
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According to New Jersey Brewers Association Executive Director Alexis Degan, after the wording changed on March 21, she was immediately on the phone with the governor's office, which affirmed they were looking for a way to "within the confines of the law to allow for home delivery."
The ABC will issue guidelines for beer delivery and encourages breweries to wait until they are released to resume or begin delivering beer.
“I’m very happy and grateful that the governor is supporting the local New Jersey craft breweries,” said Philip Petracca, owner of Source Farmhouse Brewery in Colts Neck. “This action gives us the ability to provide our Beertenders with the ability to continue to earn.”
Scott Wells of Bolero Snort Brewery in Carstadt applauded the state for helping him keep his workers employed.
"We're incredibly relieved the state government has made the logical ruling to assist small businesses like ours continue to do what we can to keep our business going and keep our team employed," he said.
When deliveries were curtailed, King's Road Brewing Co. in Haddonfield reduced its days of operation to just Thursday through Sunday for take-out and curbside delivery only.
“I can tell you that our sales were considerably better while we were doing delivery for that brief period of time," said Bob Hochgertel, managing director of King's Road Brewing Co. in Haddonfield. "We are thrilled that delivery is now allowed again. It could make the difference for some of these breweries as to whether they are open when this whole thing is over.’’
At Double Nickel in Pennsauken, Marketing Manager John Dalsey said he was grateful the move would keep more staff employed.
"We're really happy to be able to offer home delivery again during these strange and challenging times,'' he said in a text message. "It is one of the many ways we're trying to make up for lost sales due to the current circumstances, preserve jobs and continue to make our brewery-only releases available to our amazing fans.''
Rebecca King is a food writer for NorthJersey.com. For more on where to dine and drink, please subscribe today and sign up for our North Jersey Eats newsletter.
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