Sen. Schumer visits Rooster Fish in Watkins

WATKINS GLEN—Senator Charles Schumer (D—N.Y.) visited Rooster Fish Brewery in Watkins Glen Monday, Dec. 2, to push for a new bill in aid of breweries. The proposed Small BREW (Brewer Reinvestment and Expanding Workforce) Act would cut an excise tax on at least 85 small breweries across the state by 50 percent.
Schumer said the tax reduction would help save money for “farm breweries” who use local produce in their brewing, including hops and malts from the Penn Yan area. He said the money saved from the Small BREW Act could then be put towards expanding business. Schumer said the potential savings in excise tax would amount to $210,000.
“Small Breweries throughout upstate New York, like Rooster Fish Brewing, not only brew great beer, they also put jobs into the community,” Schumer said. “By cutting taxes for these small businesses, we can help grow the economy and put more New Yorkers back to work in stable, good paying jobs. Breweries are the crown jewels of so many of our communities, and many of them have renovated charming old buildings in downtowns across the state. Putting more money back into these businesses will be good for economic development, good for jobs, and good for upstate New York.”
Currently, brewers pay a $7 excise tax for the first 60,000 barrels they brew per year. Under the Small BREW Act, the rate is reduced to $3.50 per barrel, resulting in potential savings of $210,000 per year for that brewery. The bill also cuts the tax by $2 on the next 1,940,000 barrels produced, resulting in potential savings of $3,880,000 each year. This totals more than $4 million in potential annual savings for these brewers. The new measure is expected to create more than 5,200 new jobs in the first year and an additional 400 going forward annually. Schumer said the breweries will then be able to reinvest the savings in their business, hire new employees and revitalize downtown communities.
Rooster Fish Brewing, located at 223-301 North Franklin St., is one of New York State’s first “Farm Breweries” which means they use 20 percent local products in their blends. Rooster Fish produced 700 barrels of beer last year, is on pace for 1,500 in 2013, and employs about 50 people. Under the Small BREW Act, based on expected production in 2013, Rooster Fish would save more than $5,250 per year in excise taxes, which it could put straight back into the company in the form of new hires or expanded business.
Schumer joined the owner of Roosterfish Brewery, Doug Thayer at the event along with President and CEO of the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce Rebekah LaMoreaux and Schuyler County Chairman Dennis Fagan.