State ABC suspends license for South Jersey brewer, seeks same penalty for another

J. Staas Haught and Jim Walsh, Cherry Hill Courier-Post

LUMBERTON - A popular brew pub here is closing for six weeks after the state's liquor agency says it found multiple violations there during a 2022 inspection.

And the penalty for Ark Brewery could have repercussions for another Burlington County pub, Dr. Brewlittle's Beer of Maple Shade.

Among other infractions, Ark was accused of doing business improperly with Dr. Brewlittle's, according to the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

The ABC initially sought a steeper penalty from Ark, recommending a 159-day suspension. It accepted a 42-day shutdown after Ark pleaded no contest to the complaints, according to a spokeswoman for the Attorney General's Office.l.

The ABC is seeking a 115-day license suspension for Dr. Brewlittle's, alleging improper transactions with Ark and other alleged violations.

The allegations against Dr. Brewlittle's are still pending, said a spokesperson for the Attorney General's Office.

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Ark will lose its liquor license for six weeks starting Monday, Jan. 15. The restaurant also agreed to pay a $50,000 fine as part of a plea agreement.

The ruling, issued Dec. 21, stems from an inspection of the Ark Road business in April 2022.

Representatives from Ark have declined to comment. They posted on their Facebook page that the business would be closed for six weeks, but did not explain the reasons for the ABC's action.

The Facebook post said Ark's operators "will take this time off to further move the business in the proper direction to ensure quality and further growth to greater serve Lumberton and the surrounding communities."

Ark's no-contest plea to the charges indicate it does not dispute the claims, the ABC explained. The restaurant agreed to the $50,000 fine — payable by May 25, 2025 — in exchange for shortening the liquor license suspension by 10 days, the state said.

The ABC may reduce a penalty by 20 percent in consideration for a guilt or no-contest plea. It also accepts money as a compromise offer in lieu of days suspended.

What did Ark Brewery and Dr. Brewlittle's do wrong?

Charges against each business refer broadly to alleged violations, saying each "sold or accepted delivery of alcoholic beverages to/from" the other.

A charge against Ark says it "manufactured beer at Dr. Brewlittle's."

Three additional charges against Dr. Brewlittle's involve employment, record-keeping and sales practices, according to the ABC.

A representative of the Main Street brewery could not be reached for immediate comment.

Overall, Ark Brewery faced 11 charges from the ABC.

In a complaint filed in September, the state said the brewery:

  • Allowed customers to buy, possess or drink beer outside designated areas.

  • Sold beer that wasn't registered for retail sale in the state.

  • Failed to tell the state that another business was collecting some of the brewery's profits.

  • Didn't tell the state that three other entities had a stake in Ark's liquor license.

  • Served alcohol bought from liquor stores rather than approved distributors.

  • Didn't have accurate or up-to-date copies of its liquor license forms on hand.

  • Failed to maintain control and possession of its liquor license.

  • Didn't have accurate accounting books on hand.

  • Failed to give the state accurate accounting books within seven days of the inspection.

  • Had bottles of alcohol contaminated by foreign substances.

Ark's website shows it serves cocktails and wine, as well as several brands of beer, including from area breweries.

Ark also offers pub-style food, live music, events and hosts private parties.

Both businesses were founded in 2020.

Staff writer Nick Butler contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Loss of liquor license puts Ark Road brew pub in six-week shutdown

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