A new state bill developed by the Garden State Craft Brewers Guild (Assembly Bill 1227) is designed to give all craft brewers in the state more flexibility in how, when, and where they sell and promote their beer. The bill recently passed a key stage of legislation — a signature from Gov. Chris Christie in Trenton.

The governor’s signature followed approvals by the New Jersey’s Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, and the Assembly Appropriations Committee, which would help to modernize New Jersey’s craft-beer production laws. The bill now heads to the full Legislature for a vote.

The governor’s approval brings Tun Tavern owner Montgomery Dahm one step closer to selling his popular Tun Tavern beer for on- and off-premise consumption.  Passage of the bill will lead to a healthier environment for small brewers and more choices for craft beer consumers.

Current regulations highly restrict what New Jersey brewers can do, especially when compared to the surrounding states of New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware. New Jersey currently ranks 32nd in overall craft-beer production, compared to neighboring states like Pennsylvania (second), New York (seventh) and Delaware (17th) which are amongst the leaders in the country, according to the Garden State Craft Brewers Guild.

Passing of this bill would allow one company to open more than two brewpubs, and allow breweries like Dahm’s 16-year-old Tun Tavern to sell beer for on- and off-premise consumption.  In addition, breweries and brewpubs will be allowed to conduct informational tastings off-premise, and most importantly, to distribute beer through the wholesale network.

Dahm stated that the passage of this bill “will mean a major brewery expansion, and help Tun Tavern and other New Jersey state breweries continue to create jobs, improve tourism opportunities and cut needless red tape. Our loyal customers will have more access to our fantastic hand crafted beers” [brewed by Tun Tavern Brewmaster Tim Kelly].

Atlantic City native Ruth Wyand will perform April 15 at Dante Hall.

ATLANTIC CITY — Singer/songwriter/guitarist and roots-music specialist Ruth Wyand will be performing a show called “Journey Down An American Music Highway” on Sunday, April 15, starting 2pm at Stockton College’s Dante Hall, 14 N. Mississippi Avenue in Atlantic City. The concert benefits the Cape-Atlantic Marine Corps League.

Wyand is originally from the Venice Park section of Atlantic City. She draws on American roots music to frame her lyrics and demonstrate her strengths as a guitarist, songwriter and vocalist.

Tickets are $20. A meet-and-greet will follow at the Tun Tavern — about two blocks over and adjacent to the Atlantic City Convention Center — with free parking, reduced priced drinks ($1 glasses of wine, $2 pint drafts and $1 off mixed drinks) and half-priced appetizers.

Tickets can be purchased by going here or by calling (609) 347-2167.

Pictured left to right are Joe Hiers, Diane Tharp (Tun Tavern special events manager), Monty Dahm and Phil Uecker

On March 10, the Marine Corps League Cape-Atlantic Detachment presented a plaque to the Tun Tavern Restaurant and Brewery in Atlantic City for its generosity and help during the 2009 “Toys for Tots” season.
The plaque was presented to Tun Tavern owner Monty Dahm by Phil Uecker, director of Toys for Tots Cape Atlantic Detachment, and Joe Hiers, a Marine Corp League member.