Number of NY Craft Beverage Manufacturers Continues to Grow

From Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office:

The number of craft beverage manufacturers holding a farm-based license has grown by over 150 percent since the first Beer, Wine, Spirits and Cider Summit in 2012, said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. 

Immediately following the Summit, Cuomo implemented important legislative and regulatory reforms to promote the state's craft beverage businesses. Since then, 433 new farm-based craft beverage licenses have been issued.

 

"New York's craft beverage industry is booming, and by cutting red tape to industry development, we have seen significant growth in the number of manufacturers supporting our local farms and spurring job creation across the Empire State," Cuomo said.

"Home to more farm-breweries, wineries, distilleries and cideries than ever before, I encourage visitors and craft beverage enthusiasts to enjoy some of the best products around, right here in New York," he said.

Since the Governor's first Summit in 2012, the Empire State has experienced a surge in craft manufacturing with the vast majority of that growth coming from farm-based producers. 

Of the 523 craft beverage manufacturing licenses added since the first Summit in 2012, 433 are farm-based manufacturers that use New York grown agricultural ingredients in their production, accounting for over 80 percent of all new craft beverage manufacturers.

A list of all farm wineries, distilleries, cideries and breweries, by region and city is available at this link -- https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/ListofFarmManufacturers_2_28_2018.pdf  

The total number of all farm-based manufacturers by region:

Capital Region	72
Central New York	57
Finger Lakes	149
Long Island	100
Mid-Hudson Valley	106
Mohawk Valley	34
New York City	35
North Country	42
Southern Tier	72
Western New York	48

Major legislation helping to spur New York's farm-based craft industry includes Cuomo's Farm Brewery Law that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2013, followed by the implementation of the new Farm Cidery Law, effective Jan. 15, 2014. 

These laws mirrored the 1976 Farm Winery Act that lead to a tremendous growth of wineries and grape production in New York state. 

The governor also overhauled the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control laws to give more privileges to manufacturers that use ingredients grown in New York, including hosting tastings, operating gift shops selling any farm-produced wine, beer, cider and spirits by the bottle and by the glass from their tastings rooms. 

Farm manufacturers may also open branch stores, with 127 farm producers operating no-fee offsite tasting rooms across the state. 

 

As a result of these reforms, more manufacturers are choosing farm-based manufacturing licenses and in each craft beverage category, there are more farm-based licenses than any other type. New York is now home to 348 farm wineries, 202 farm breweries, 123 farm distilleries and 42 farm cideries. 

 

In addition, 80 farm wineries, 29 farm breweries, 12 farm distilleries and 6 farm cideries have opened branch stores due to legislation allowing farm breweries, cideries and distilleries to open branch stores. 

The growth in the number of farm-based licenses has led to an increased demand for locally sourced agricultural products in New York and a synergy between the craft beverage, tourism and agriculture sectors.

 

First-Ever TAste NY Craft Beverage Week Set for Nov. 5-11

The first-ever Taste NY Craft Beverage Week will be held Nov. 5-11 in New York City. 

First announced in Gov. Andrew Cuomo's 2017 State of the State address, the annual event will boost the exposure of the state's world-class wine, beer, spirits, and ciders, helping to increase sales and drive economic growth. 

In anticipation of the inaugural event, a grand tasting was held Sept. 12 at the iconic Pier A Harbor House to connect producers from across the state to New York City restaurant, bar, and retail owners and purchasing agents, encouraging them to participate. 

Cuomo also launched a new webpage at https://taste.ny.gov/2017-taste-ny-craft-beverage-week#_blank this link where interested businesses can sign up to join Craft Beverage Week.

 

"The craft beverage industry in New York has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years and as a result, has become a critical driver of regional economies in every corner of this state," Cuomo said.

"Craft Beverage Week gives local producers a chance to partner with restaurants across New York to showcase their top-notch products, and I encourage craft beverage enthusiasts from near and far to come out and experience the very best our wineries, cideries, breweries and distilleries have to offer," he said.

 

During Craft Beverage Week, participating restaurants, bars, taverns and retail stores are encouraged to offer special events and promotions to highlight New York wine, beer, spirits and ciders and increase sales of these top-notch products. 

Events and promotions may include meet the brewer dinners, sommelier-led tastings, dinner pairings, tap takeovers, happy hour specials, New York craft cocktail specials, and informational seminars.

 

Businesses interested in participating had an opportunity to sample products from nearly 50 New York breweries, wineries, distilleries and cideries at a tasting and networking event this afternoon. The event allowed producers to meet face-to-face with bar, restaurant and retail owners and showcase their products. 

The goal was to promote participation in Craft Beverage Week, and provide these businesses an opportunity to build relationships that will last beyond the week-long promotion.