TRENTON — Connoisseurs of fine liquors are raising their tumblers and martini glasses after a bill that could kickstart the craft distilling business in New Jersey was signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie Wednesday.

Would-be artisan distillers may now buy licenses for $938 allowing them to produce up to 20,000 gallons, or about 640 barrels, per year of vodka, gin, whiskey, scotch and other hard spirits. The law goes into effect Dec. 1.

Christie’s endorsement of the bill came as a pleasant surprise to spirits enthusiasts like Chad Goerner, the former Princeton Township mayor who has studied distilling and said he is considering opening his own distillery in the area.

“I saw that a lot of other states were so far ahead of us with what they were doing to leverage their farming industry,” Goerner said. “If you are going to have artisan distilled spirits, where better than the Garden State? We have plenty of opportunities to use fruit and grains in the distilling process.”

Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Trenton), who co-sponsored the legislation in the Assembly, said that personally he will be on the lookout for gin brewed in New Jersey. He said the new law could help create jobs and, as has happened in other states, boost the economy and generate millions in tax revenue.

“I envision people setting up shop in places like Asbury Park or in Atlantic City, places that you could foster tourists to come see the distillery, sample some spirits and go home — hopefully not driving while they’re drinking,” he said.

Gusciora said the bill gives New Jersey the chance to catch up to other states, promote agritourism and capitalize on the national boom in craft beverage production.

“A craft distillery license brings the manufacturing and distribution options available to New Jersey spirits makers on par with those enjoyed by New Jersey craft beer and wine makers,” he said in a press release. “Hand-crafting and small batch production has helped New Jersey make a name for itself in the beer and wine markets; and it’s high time we did the same for distillers.”

Distillers who certify that at least 51 percent of raw materials used in the distillation are grown or bought from providers in the state can label their product “New Jersey distilled.” The liquor could be sold by wholesalers and retailers in and out of state.

The law permits distilleries to have tours and offer samples and sales, but does not allow them to sell food or operate a restaurant on the premises. A consumer who has toured the distillery can buy up to five liters to drink off the premises.

Before the legislation was passed, rules on distilling in the state were quite restrictive, Gusciora said.

“It was cost-prohibitive for small businesses or a mom and pop startup to open up a craft distillery,” he said.

A plenary distillery license used by commercial spirit makers costs $12,500 per year and has no production limits. Jersey Artisan Distilling in Fairfield, Essex County, opened earlier this year with a plenary license, becoming the first licensed distillery to produce in the state since Prohibition was repealed in 1933.

Goerner, a vice president and institutional consultant at UBS, helped put together the bill and said he is thinking about opening a facility in Trenton, in part to spur economic development in the city.

“Trenton is really in need of these things, and I think a craft distillery would be a great fit,” Goerner said. “It has enough commercial real estate opportunity for a distillery and it is strategically located for tourism and close enough to nearby farms.”

A similar effort is already underway in Camden by Yoakum’s Cooper River Distillers, Goerner said. Alba Vineyard and Winery in Milford have also expressed interest in distilling, Democratic legislators said in a news release.

Goerner said he has always had an interest in distilling and already makes his own wine. A couple years ago he participated in a week-long apprenticeship and consultation program at Dry Fly Distilling in Spokane, Wash., he said.

Still, seeing the distillery bill become law so quickly was a bit of a shock, he said.

“I was quite surprised it made it through. There are so many bills that the legislature had to contend with, I didn’t think this would rise to the priority level,” he said. “It’s really an exciting thing.”

Contact Jon Offredo at joffredo@njtimes.com or (609) 989-5680.

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