NorthNewJersey.com recently reported that Garden State officials believe microbreweries have become too active, and have decided to put the clamps down.

Six years ago, in an attempt to help the young industry, New Jersey passed a law that allowed microbreweries to serve their products in-house and sell more beer to go. Since then, activities held at microbrews have grown significantly.

After a “special ruling” by the director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, New Jersey’s microbreweries are now limited to holding 25 on-site special events annually. This would include events like trivia nights and live entertainment.

They will also be unable to have take-out menus from area restaurants as well as host more than 52 private parties a year. In addition, they’ll be prohibited from showing sports on TV unless it is one of their 25 special events.

The original law was meant to increase craft beer sales at other establishments such as bars and restaurants. Instead, the law was misinterpreted, resulting in new venues for consumption with the same rights as bars and restaurants.

To read more, click here.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board recently reported that fiscal year 2017-18 was a record year for retail sales and net income.

According to the PLCB, sales totaled $2.59 billion (including liquor and sales taxes), a $67.8 million or 2.7 percent increase over the prior year and previous retail sales record. The PLCB achieved year-over-year sales growth each year for at least the past two decades.

Net income for the year totaled a record $158.2 million, $53.4 million or 50.9 percent higher than the prior fiscal year. The substantial increase is due mainly to gross margin improvement, higher revenues from expired license auctions, and a commonwealth-wide credit to retiree medical expense related to settlement with a health insurer. Due to the PLCB’s ability to negotiate product acquisition costs and retail prices with wine and spirits suppliers, it achieved nine-tenths of a point growth in margin, or profitability – from 30.9 percent in fiscal year 2016-17 to 31.8 percent in 2017-18 – while maintaining fair and competitive prices for consumers.

Furthermore, contributions to state and local government beneficiaries totaled $749.6 million for the fiscal year.

To read more, click here to read an official announcement from the PLCB.