Garden State Growth
OUR STATEWIDE CONTRIBUTION
Founded in 2018, The Brewers Guild of New Jersey (BGNJ) was established to better represent the policy interests of New Jersey’s pioneering independent craft breweries and brewpubs in the region’s ultra-competitive alcoholic beverage market. The Guild’s Membership is the foundation of today’s flourishing New Jersey craft beer industry which has grown exponentially in the last decade. Our Brewery Members positively stimulate local economies and have earned national recognition for their critically-acclaimed ales and lagers.
75% OF PRODUCTION
More than three-quarters of New Jersey's brewing output is produced by the Guild's Membership.
ROBUST LOCAL EMPLOYMENT
Brewery Members employ hundreds of local residents at their facilities and taprooms.
AWARD WINNING BEERS
Great American Beer Festival® and World Beer Cup® medals have been awarded to Guild Members.
BREWERY MEMBERS
New Jersey’s craft beer industry boasts over 100 licensed breweries and brewpubs statewide. Our Guild’s Membership is proudly made up of the state’s leading craft beer makers, who produce millions of gallons of draft and packaged beer. Products from BGNJ Members are available at retail locations, restaurants, liquor stores, and their taprooms throughout New Jersey and neighboring states.
Promotion & Access
THE GUILD'S MISSION
The Brewers Guild of New Jersey, a New Jersey-based non-profit advocacy organization, represents the state public policy interests of New Jersey’s independent craft breweries and brewpubs statewide. The Guild’s overall goal is to promote a stable and beneficial state statutory and regulatory environment which fosters growth in the state’s craft beer industry. The Guild prioritizes policies which maintain and enhance access to craft beer consumers through all state alcohol sales and distribution channels, including through brewery tasting rooms for on-premise consumption and other activities, and offsite opportunities, including but not limited to both retail consumption and retail distribution licensees. The Guild aspires to accomplish these goals by:
1. EDUCATION
Educating state and local policymakers on the ongoing status and needs of the craft beer industry and the Guild’s licensed brewery membership in a proactive manner.
2. POLICY RESEARCH
Formulating statutory and regulatory proposals aimed at continually-improving the New Jersey marketplace for the sale and distribution of New Jersey craft beer.
3. REGULATORY AFFAIRS
Actively engaging state regulators, specifically the NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (NJABC), on a routine basis to address the common needs of the industry.
4. LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY
Advocating the Guild membership’s consensus-driven positions on all policy matters which could potentially hinder or promote the policy goals of the organization.
5. MEMBERSHIP RELATIONS
Serving as an outlet for reliable information and open communication on the latest news and policy developments which could impact the Guild’s policy agenda and daily operations of Guild member breweries.
6. PUBLIC/MEDIA AFFAIRS
Communicating the Guild’s positions to media outlets as needed so that the Guild membership’s stance on issues of the day are promoted and conveyed in a manner which positively represents the Guild’s members.
ALLIED PARTNERS
The Guild is excited to offer an Allied Partnership program to help facilitate connections between companies and professionals who are seeking to network with the state’s leading breweries. Allied Partners offer a wide range of services to our membership, including but not limited to; accounting, finance, legal, equipment, packaging, etc. We value our Allied Partners and actively refer their services.
Focused Leadership
BOARD MEMBERS
As of January 2021, please find below the Guild's current Board Members.
Michael Kane -- Kane Brewing Company
Ryan Krill -- Cape May Brewing Company
Gene Muller -- Flying Fish Brewing Company
Chris Walsh -- River Horse Brewing Company
Scott Wells -- Bolero Snort Brewery
"Producing consistently great quality beer and working tirelessly toward getting it into the hands of consumers in the marketplace are the goals of the new Guild.” --- GENE MULLER
GUILDED FOR THE CAUSE
The Brewers Guild of New Jersey is excited to announce a new project and collaboration beer we’ve been working on in 2020. The “Guilded For the Cause” campaign aims to bring greater awareness to the current issues impacting breweries and brewpubs across the Garden State through what the members of the Guild know best: great New Jersey craft beer. Stay tuned as new collaboration beers are announced and how you can help your local brewery accomplish our goals.
Presence Through Representation
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Eric Orlando is the first Executive Director of BGNJ, having represented the interests of New Jersey’s craft beer industry for almost a decade. He is currently the Executive Vice President at the Kaufman Zita Group (KZG), a West Trenton, NJ-based public affairs firm. Eric has helped guide the industry’s public affairs efforts on several fronts, working with state alcohol regulators and legislators statewide to ensure that positive trends for local, independent craft beer in the state continue to benefit Guild Members and the craft beer consumer alike. His most noteworthy achievement came in 2012 when Governor Chris Christie signed Public Law 2012, Chapter 47, which reformed several aspects of craft brewery licensure laws, directly leading to a 500% increase in breweries operating in New Jersey today. If you are interested in joining or supporting BGNJ, please contact Eric at eorlando@tzgrp.com.
“Since 2010, and highlighted in the passage of seminal bi-partisan craft beer reform legislation in 2012, our firm’s representation of the craft beer industry has been rewarding both personally and professionally." --- ERIC ORLANDO
FOLLOW THE GUILD
For the latest news about the Guild’s efforts to promote our state’s craft beer industry, please find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Guild frequently posts updates on issues impacting all the breweries and brewpubs in our state and how you can get involved and make a positive difference for the good of our members and you, our valued customers. So stay tuned and please give us a follow.
Expanding New Jersey Craft Beer
INTERESTED IN JOINING OR SUPPORTING?
Learn more about joining as a Brewery Member or supporting as an Allied Partner. Please complete the below form or email BGNJ's Executive Director, Eric Orlando, at eorlando@tzgrp.com. We look forward to hearing from you.