Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law today a bill requiring the state Division of Travel and Tourism to advertise and promote tours of breweries in New Jersey.
Bill A-1091 was sponsored by Assemblywomen Carol Murphy (D-7) and Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-37), Senators Steven Oroho and Hal Wirths (R-24) and Senator James Beach (D-6). It was also supported by NJBIA.
“This is legislation that will undoubtedly promote economic activity in the state,” said NJBIA Chief Government Affairs Officer Chrissy Buteas. “New Jersey’s breweries are growing at a faster rate than our neighbors in Pennsylvania, but at a slower rate than in New York. Promotion of our well-regarded breweries will help New Jersey improve regional competitiveness in this industry.”
According to the language of the bill, the Division of Travel and Tourism is to identify a series of breweries to be a part of a brewery trail. The division would create no less than three brewery trails to be identified for the program and special consideration will be taken for those who are geographically close to other breweries or have a specific theme or are surrounded by the arts, cultural, historical, entertainment, or other tourism destinations.
The division will also develop and maintain a website that provides the information of every holder of a limited brewery license or restricted license in New Jersey.
