Rules


The rules craft beverage producers work under, state by state, checked against the source.

Pick a jurisdiction to see its headline rules with citations, the agencies that regulate it, its history and every verified rule for distillers, brewers, winemakers, cider makers and mead makers. Or browse all verified rules, or compare every jurisdiction in one table.

Free for the whole craft community: every story and rule change here is sourced, and you can share it with other producers or bring it to your Guild.

Follow bills, proposals and deadlines in the Policy Monitor, or see how spirits compare with beer, wine, cider and mead in the Rules Comparison.

Beverage
Please note Information only, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the regulator or a lawyer before acting.

State by state

Rules snapshot for 57 jurisdictions

6 headline topics per jurisdiction. “Not yet researched” means we have not checked yet, not that no rule exists.

Researched so far:

New Jersey

6 of 6 headline topics researched

Snapshot shows 6 headline topics; coverage tracks all 17 research topics.

73 TTB distilled spirits plant permits (all permit holders, not a craft-only count)

Tasting
3 samples/day x 0.5 oz, free; no tourN.J.S.A. 33:1-10(3d); 33:1-10b (P.L.2023 c.290 s.1, amended P.L.2026 c.46 s.1) Verified Oct 18, 2026
Bottle sales
5 L/person; to-go cocktails <=16 oz sealedN.J.S.A. 33:1-10(3d); P.L.2026 c.81 Verified Oct 18, 2026
DTC shipping
Not allowed (in-state or interstate)N.J.S.A. 33:1-10(3d) Verified Oct 18, 2026
Self-distribution
Self-distribution allowed; monthly CPLN.J.S.A. 33:1-10(3d); 33:1-10b; 33:1-43 Verified Oct 18, 2026
Excise tax
$5.50/galN.J.S.A. 54:43-1(b) Verified Oct 18, 2026
Extra locations & events
25 off-site events/yr, <=3 days each; on-site events unlimited; 25 social affair eventsN.J.S.A. 33:1-10b (P.L.2023 c.290 s.1; P.L.2026 c.46 s.1) Verified Oct 18, 2026

Federal rules apply everywhere in addition to state rules.

Verified rules for New Jersey 51 rules, all beverage types

AdvertisingNew JerseySpirits

Craft manufacturers (incl. craft distilleries) may show any televised program and publicly advertise in advance that a televised event will be shown; no ABC notice or permit needed

TV-event ads allowed

Holders of a craft manufacturer license, which includes the craft distillery license, may show any televised program on any number of screens, including live championship sporting events, and may publicly advertise in advance that a televised event will be displayed. No notice to or permit from ABC is required. Other advertising rules (N.J.A.C. 13:2) not read.

N.J.S.A. 33:1-10b(j) ✓ Verified Oct 19, 2026
Bottle sales to visitorsNew JerseySpirits

Bottle sales to go: up to 5 liters per person; sealed to-go cocktails up to 16 oz

5 L/person; to-go cocktails <=16 oz sealed

A craft distillery may sell its spirits for off-premises consumption, up to 5 liters per person. Under P.L.2026 c.81 it may also sell mixed drinks to go in closed, sealed containers of up to 16 oz with a tamper-evident seal, plus cocktail kits (its spirits in the original container plus nonalcoholic mixers/foodstuffs).

Bottle sales to visitorsNew JerseyCiderMead

Cidery/meadery to-go sales: retail sales for off-premises consumption with no per-person limit in the statute

No per-person limit stated

A cidery and meadery may sell hard cider and mead at retail on the licensed premises for consumption off the premises; subsection 2f states no per-person quantity limit.

N.J.S.A. 33:1-10(2f) ✓ Verified Oct 19, 2026
Bottle sales to visitorsNew JerseyBeer

Limited brewery to-go sales: up to 15.5 gallons per person

15.5 gal (58.7 L) per person

A limited brewery may sell its beer to consumers for consumption off the premises in a quantity of not more than 15.5 fluid gallons per person.

N.J.S.A. 33:1-10(1b) ✓ Verified Oct 19, 2026
Bottle sales to visitorsNew JerseyWineCiderMead

Winery to-go sales: retail sales for off-premises consumption with no per-person limit in the statute

No per-person limit stated

Plenary and farm wineries may sell their products at retail to consumers on the licensed premises for consumption off the premises; subsections 2a and 2b state no per-person quantity limit. "Wine" includes hard cider and mead.

N.J.S.A. 33:1-10(2a),(2b) ✓ Verified Oct 19, 2026
Distribution / three-tierNew JerseySpirits

Craft distilleries may self-distribute to NJ retailers (and sell to wholesalers); must file price lists

Self-distribution allowed; monthly CPL

The craft distillery license expressly lets the holder sell to licensed NJ wholesalers AND retailers, sell out of state, and keep a warehouse. Those selling to retailers must still file a monthly Current Price List with ABC (AN 2024-03; N.J.A.C. 13:2-24.6). Plenary distilleries also sell to wholesalers and retailers. General tied-house limits are in 33:1-43.

See all 678 verified rules with filters

Compare all 57 jurisdictions in a table

WhiskeyOS

Join the craft distilling network.

Built by distillers, for distillers.

We'll email you to confirm the request is under review.

Privacy

Disclaimer: Information only, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the regulator or a lawyer before acting.

Legislative data from LegiScan (https://legiscan.com), licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). legiscan.com · CC BY 4.0 license

Modified: WhiskeyOS summarized bill status, history and text in plain English; LegiScan did not review these summaries.

Feed updated Oct 21, 2026