New Jersey’s microbreweries and brewpubs could find it easier to offer their products after the state Assembly yesterday approved a bill backed by Hoboken Assemblyman Ruben Ramos.

The legislation, (A-1277), would update New Jersey's existing brewing laws, granting microbreweries and brewpubs many of the same rights enjoyed by the state's wineries.

The bill was approved 64-13-1, following a compromise with the alcohol industry.

Another goal of the legislation is to enhance the microbreweries' appeal as tourist destinations.

“Breweries have become a popular tourist attraction and there is no shortage of them in New Jersey,” said Ramos. “Updating these laws will help our breweries take advantage of the growing demand for regional craft beers, which not only benefits the breweries, but the communities where they are located and the state.”

Some specific changes in the bill would allow microbreweries to sell their products to consumers on or off premises, meaning a microbrewery could have a sampling room with taps and bottles.

A microbrewery is one with an annual production of less than 15,000 U.S. beer barrels, as opposed to a brewpub, which is a bar or restaurant that brews beer on the premises

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Sales for on-premise consumption would be limited to brewery tours and off-premise consumption to 15.5 gallons or a half a keg per customer. In addition, microbreweries could offer product samples at an amount no less than 4 oz. on or off the licenses premise.

The bill now heads to the state Senate for further consideration.

Related coverage:

• Bill to boost breweries and brewpubs advancing through Legislature

• Small N.J. brewers push for changes to state law

• Brewpubs to get a boost under proposed legislation