Double Nickel is becoming a brew pub. But what is it?

PENNSAUKEN – Double Nickel Brewing Company has township approval to add full kitchen facilities, clearing the way for the long-time brewery to transition into a brewpub.

Brewpubs can sell beer brewed on site and serve food.

The Pennsauken Township Planning Board in June granted a change of use approval and site plan waiver allowing renovations to the existing 20,394 square foot limited brewery to include kitchen facilities.

The plans also call for 12 parking spaces within the existing exterior parking areas.

Multiple attempts by the Courier Post to speak to Double Nickel owners by email, phone and over social media were not successful.

“I can confirm that Double Nickel received approval from the planning board,” Pennsauken mayor Vince Martinez said in an email to the Courier Post. “Adding dining to the site was a requirement from the state since they are converting an existing state issued limited brewery license into a 'restricted' license."

Are there brewpubs in South Jersey?

Limited breweries can brew and sell their own beer but are barred from selling or making food on site.

A restricted brewery license allows the owner of a plenary retail consumption license — typically a restaurant that sells and serves drinks — to also make and sell food.

Double Nickel was issued a plenary retail consumption license earlier as well. Since opening in 2015, the brewery had been operating with a limited brewery license.

Iron Hill Brewery, which has locations in Maple Shade and Voorhees, is an example of another local brewpub as well as Avalon Brew Pub in Avalon and Tun Tavern in Atlantic City.

Current legislation trying to roll back some NJ brewery restrictions

Breweries in the state with only the traditional limited brewery licenses can’t sell food.

In Sept. 2018, the state’s Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control placed a restriction on the number of events breweries could hold annually as well as a ban on offering food and coordinating food vendors, and limiting private parties and off-premises events.

The implementation of the restrictions were put on hold after a public outcry by brewery owners and in May 2019, the NJABC reissued a special ruling that clarified and expanded the initial restrictions.

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Those went into effect in July 2022, although there is current legislation that has unanimously passed the state Senate and the state Assembly that is trying to roll some of those brewery restrictions back. Gov. Phil Murphy must sign it for the bill to become law.

“In regards to the legislation, I'm a bit lukewarm about it,” said Dan Borrelli, owner of Chimney Rustic Ales brewery in Hammonton. “The things I see that would actually help build and maintain my business are not included in that bill, such as kitchens, satellite tasting rooms, selling local wine ... things like that. The bill only lifts restrictions set out by a special ruling put in place in 2018.

“All the things I want are all things breweries in (Pennsylvania) are just allowed to do with their regular brewery license. In fact they are required to offer some sort of food. Those things would be much more effective at building a long-term stable business in my opinion. Wineries in New Jersey are also allowed to sell food and have satellite tasting rooms, just not breweries.”

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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Double Nickel Brewing has kitchen facilities on the way