New Jersey State Senate Wants You To Take Your Dog For A Brewski

Lori Ennis
by Lori Ennis
Looking for a beer and a bark with your best bud? If you live in New Jersey, that may be just around the corner very soon!


Last week, New Jersey’s state Senate passed a bill that made it legal for fur-friends to hang out with their humans at breweries all over the state.


Senator Michael Doherty was a main sponsor of the bill and said that brewery owners told him that being dog-friendly was a great way to be a good neighborhood business.


Related: This Brew’s For Bowser: Beer For Dogs Is A Cool, Refreshing Trend


Doherty said that the government should take note and seize the opportunity for growth when it can help state businesses succeed, as employers in the state already face enough challenges with state bureaucracy.


The bipartisan bill will need to go in front of the state Assembly and pass before Governor Phil Murphy makes the final decision about it passing, brewery owners are hopeful that he will sign it into law.


With the bill’s passing dogs would be allowed to be in the sampling and tasting areas of state breweries, including in places that are only indoors. Dogs would not be allowed where beer consumption could be contaminated or areas they could risk contaminating equipment of the glassware.


Brewery staff would not be allowed to touch or pet the dogs while they were on duty and if they should come in contact, they’d be required to wash their hands.


Related: Is Your City Pet-Friendly? Here’s A List of Traits All Furball-Friendly Communities Need to Have


Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman is also a main sponsor of the bill and said that because breweries were on the rise, and particularly in smaller communities, they’re popular for young adults who often want to bring their best friends wherever they go. Senator Bateman said that that young, Millenial generation seems to be leaving New Jersey at higher rates than any other popular group, and giving them a reason to stay in New Jersey by way of encouraging their dogs to accompany them to more places may be an incentive.

Lori Ennis
Lori Ennis

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