Leaders in the state’s bourgeoning craft-beer industry have joined forces as the Brewers Guild of New Jersey and named Kaufman Zita Group Vice President Eric Orlando as executive director.

Somerdale-based Flying Fish Brewing Co., Cape May-based Cape May Brewing Co. and Ocean-based Kane Brewing Co. are among the founding members.

The guild will work toward elevating the visibility of state-based craft beer operations and increased purchasing opportunities for consumers.

“Since 2010, and highlighted in the passage of seminal bi-partisan craft beer reform legislation in 2012, our firm’s representation of the craft beer industry has been rewarding both personally and professionally,” Orlando said. “Now, with the state’s craft beer industry on a more solid footing and having a real presence in the halls of Trenton, the demands of a maturing industry need a renewed focus on what matters not only to these licensed, highly regulated businesses today but the challenges to it which could be forthcoming.”

Guild’s members employ hundreds of New Jerseyans and produce millions of gallons of draft and packaged beer for sale in and out of the Garden State, the group said.

“Over my last 20 years or so in the craft beer industry, I have seen many trends and gimmicks come and go, with one question having always persisted—how good is the beer?” said Gene Muller, owner of Flying Fish Brewing in a statement. “Producing consistently great quality beer and working tirelessly toward getting it into the hands of consumers in the marketplace are the goals of the new guild.”

Read the full article here.