New Jersey Alcoholic Beverage Market: Regulations, Statistics, Trends, and Wholesalers
New Jersey has some unexpected rules regarding alcohol, and interestingly, there are some dry counties in the Garden State. Alcohol manufacturers, suppliers, and wholesalers need to be aware of the info we’ll share below on consumption trends, the popularity of particular alcohol types, tax rules, and local guidelines in New Jersey.
At Park Street, we also help anyone looking to become a part of the three-tier system or expand their services in New Jersey. You can fill out the form below, and a Park Street representative will get back to you with advice, guidance, and all the necessary help to grow your
Consumption Trends In New Jersey
New Jersey Spirits Consumption from 2015-2020 by 9-Liter Cases
New Jersey Wine Consumption from 2015-2020 by 9-Liter Cases
New Jersey Beer Consumption from 2015-2020 by 9-Liter Cases
New Jersey Spirits Volume By Category – 2020 Data
Spirit trends in New Jersey by volume and dollar sales in 2020.
| Category | Volume Sales Thousands, 9-liter cases |
Dollar Sales Millions |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Whiskey | 410 | 98 |
| Canadian Whisky | 316 | 136 |
| Scotch Whisky | 624 | 335 |
| Irish Whiskey | 262 | N/A |
| Gin | 403 | 148 |
| Vodka | 3,400 | 1,100 |
| Rum | 1,000 | 383 |
| Tequila | 403 | N/A |
| Cordials/Liqueurs | 920 | 330 |
| Cocktails | 375 | N/A |
Source: Beverage Information Group
New Jersey Wine Volume Sales By Category – 2020 Data
Wine trends in New Jersey by volume sales in 2020
| Category | Volume Sales Thousands, 9-liter cases |
|---|---|
| Table | 14,600 |
| Champagne & Sparkling | 997.3 |
| Dessert & Fortified | 194.1 |
| Vermouth & Aperitif | 87.3 |
Source: Beverage Information Group
New Jersey Beer Volume Sales By Category – 2020 Data
Beer trends in New Jersey by volume sales in 2020
| Category | Volume Sales Thousands, 2.25 Gallon Cases |
Volume Sales barrels |
|---|---|---|
| Craft | 7.7 | 249.0 |
| FMBs & Hard Seltzer | 8.2 | 263.5 |
| Super & Super Premium | 6.8 | 219.6 |
| Light | 18.8 | 606.4 |
| Popular | 3.2 | 102.6 |
| Imported | 19.7 | 635.3 |
Source: Beverage Information Group
The Top 10 Spirits Brands
In New Jersey
- Tito’s Handmade Vodka
- Smirnoff
- Bacardi
- New Amsterdam Vodka
- Captain Morgan (excludes Parrot Bay)
- Fireball
- Jameson
- Svedka
- Absolut
- Crown Royal
The Top 10 Table Wine Brands
In New Jersey
- Meiomi Pinot Noir N.V.
- Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
- Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay 2021
- Juggernaut Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
- Bonanza Cabernet Sauvignon Lot N.V.
- Buena Vista Chateau Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019
- Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2021
- Quilt Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
- San Marzano 60 Sessantanni Old Vines Primitivo Di Manduria 2017
- The Prisoner Saldo Zinfandel N.V.
The Top 10 Domestic Beer Brands
In New Jersey
- Kane Sunday Brunch
- Kane Mexican Brunch
- Kane Double Double Cask
- Kane Sunday Brunch – Bourbon Barrel-Aged
- Kane Mexican Brunch – Bourbon Barrel-Aged
- Cafe Y Churro Imperial Cream Ale
- St Kitts Coffee Imperial Cream Ale
- Gravitational Waves Indian Pale Ale
- Kalashnikoffee Russian Imperial Stout
- Imperial Cold Side
Alcoholic Beverage Distributors Located In New Jersey
In the United States, there is a strict three-tier system for selling alcohol. The middle tier includes wholesalers or importers who buy products from lower-tier suppliers and manufacturers. They sell the products to distributors, who then sell them to retailers. Finally, the retailers sell the products to consumers. All alcohol sales in the United States must go through this three-tier system.
Below you will find an updated list of the top distributors located in the state of New Jersey. Need more info on alcoholic beverage distributors in the US? Check out the full list of distributors or fill out the contact form provided.
Wine & Spirits Distributors
Coming Soon
Beer Distributors
Coming Soon
More Distributors in New Jersey (A-Z)
Coming Soon
Selling Alcohol In New Jersey
Retailers who want to sell alcohol in New Jersey must know the rules and regulations. Below you will find some frequently asked questions that have been answered regarding the sale of alcohol in the state below. If you cannot find the information you need, please contact us.
FAQs on New Jersey Beer, Wine & Spirits Sales
What are the policies regarding the sale of alcohol on Sundays in New Jersey?
New Jersey laws don’t restrict the sale of alcohol on Sundays; retailers must follow the prescribed sale hours of 9 AM to 10 PM.
What are the hours retailers can sell alcohol?
The off-premise sale of alcohol in New Jersey is from 9 AM and 10 PM; on-premise sales are restricted from 9 AM to 2 AM.
What are the alcohol laws in NJ?
The legal drinking and alcohol purchasing limit is 21 years; still, a person that is 18 can serve alcohol. The state follows the 0.08% BAC limit for drivers, and New Jersey has a zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving under 21. If you get caught over the legal limit of BAC, you can get a monetary fine of up to $400, 30 days of jail time, an annual automotive insurance surcharge of $1,000 for three years, and more repercussions.
Do Walmart, Target, and CVS sell alcohol in New Jersey?
No, Walmart, Target, CVS, and other retail chains are not allowed to sell alcohol in New Jersey. However, some Target stores can sell beer, but this is solely on a municipal level.
Do they sell liquor, wine, or beer in grocery stores in New Jersey?
No, grocery stores in New Jersey can’t sell alcoholic beverages, as any business can only obtain three licenses per business.
Do they sell liquor, wine, or beer in gas stations in New Jersey?
Very few gas stations in New Jersey sell alcoholic beverages, as the state law does not allow any business or corporation to possess more than two retail distribution licenses.
What is the alcohol excise tax in New Jersey?
New Jersey charges the following alcohol excise tax:
- Beer Tax – $0.12/gallon
- Wine Tax – $0.88/gallon
- Distilled Spirits Tax – $5.50/gallon
The New Jersey alcohol excise taxes are mandatory, added to the Federal alcohol excise taxes, which are as follows:
- Beer Federal Excise Tax – $18.00/31-gallon barrel, or $0.05 per 12-oz can
- Wine Federal Excise Tax – $1.07 to $3.4/gallon; $0.21 to $0.67/750ml bottle
- Distilled Spirits Federal Excise Tax – $13.5/proof gallon or $2.14/750ml 80-proof bottle (40% ABV).
Buying Alcohol In New Jersey – Hours, Locations & Taxes
The laws for purchasing alcohol may differ between cities in New Jersey, but statewide laws are in place. If you want to learn about these laws, please read on as we answer common questions about buying beer, wine, and spirits in New Jersey.
FAQs on Buying Beer, Wine & Liquor in New Jersey
Can you buy liquor in grocery stores in New Jersey?
You can’t buy liquor in grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, or gas stations, and a business can only obtain three licenses.
Can you buy alcohol in gas stations in New Jersey?
You can’t buy liquor in grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, or gas stations; a business can only obtain three licenses.
Does New Jersey Allow direct-to-consumer shipping?
Yes, New Jersey allows direct-to-consumer shipping of alcohol; people can order alcohol through licensed retailers, and only people over 21 can purchase alcohol this way.
What times can you buy liquor, wine, or beer in New Jersey?
Generally, the off-premise sale of liquor, wine, and beer is allowed from 9 AM to 10 PM. The on-premise sale of alcohol is from 9 AM to 2 AM.
Can you order alcohol to go in New Jersey?
New Jersey supports the alcohol-to-go policy, and restaurants, bars, and liquor stores can sell alcohol-to-go to their customers. However, the delivery must be done via a licensed third-party delivery service that can deliver mixed drinks, wine, and beer to customers.
Where in New Jersey can buy alcohol off-premise?
The off-premise sale of alcohol in New Jersey is only in state-run liquor stores. While the sale of alcoholic beverages is not forbidden in most stores, the state limits the businesses to two licenses, so very few exceptions to this rule apply.
Where can buy alcohol for on-premise consumption in New Jersey?
Because of the state laws regarding licensing, many businesses can’t or won’t obtain an on-premise alcohol license. Thus, many New Jersey restaurants have a Bring-your-own-bottle policy.
(Data Sources – wikipedia.org, nj.gov)
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