Wikipedia:Today's featured article/April 24, 2013

The state laws governing the control of alcoholic beverages in New Jersey are among the most complex in the United States and contain many peculiarities not found in other states. New Jersey law grants individual municipalities substantial discretion in creating ordinances that regulate the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. A small percentage of municipalities in the state are "dry towns" that do not allow alcoholic beverages to be sold. Other towns permit alcohol sales 24 hours a day. The history of taverns and alcohol production in New Jersey dates to its early colonial period. A local distillery owner was asked by George Washington for his recipe for "cyder spirits." With the rise of the temperance movement, New Jersey's alcohol industry suffered; many breweries, wineries and distilleries either closed or relocated to other states. The legacy of Prohibition restricted and prevented the industry's recovery until the state legislature began loosening restrictions starting in 1981. New Jersey's alcohol industry is experiencing a renaissance, and recently enacted laws provide new opportunities for the state's wineries and breweries. (Full article...)

Recently featured: Kenneth Widmerpool – Western Jackdaw – Reginald Heber