State alcohol producers have doubled

NEW YORK--Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced the number of farm based businesses manufacturing wine, beer, spirits and cider using ingredients grown in New York has increased by 100 percent since 2011. In addition, the total number of manufacturers producing alcoholic beverages in New York has increased by 105 percent since 2011. This growth is a result of efforts to partner with the beverage industry to create new farm based manufacturing licenses, launch new marketing and promotional initiatives, ease regulations and reduce the time it takes to open a business.
"The craft beverage industry is one of New York's greatest success stories, and we are doing everything we can in state government to keep the tremendous growth seen by our wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries going strong," Cuomo said. "From Long Island to the Finger Lakes, these local businesses support jobs and economic activity in both agriculture and tourism, and investing in them means investing in New York's future."
Fifty-seven new farm breweries have opened up across the state as a result of the 2012 Farm Brewery law that went into effect in January 2013. Like farm wineries, farm breweries must use specific levels of locally grown ingredients. Farm breweries enjoy similar privileges to farm wineries, including the ability to open up to five offsite retail outlets, open restaurants, conduct tastings and sell related products, including souvenirs, food to complement beer tastings, and equipment and supplies. As farm breweries continue to open across the state, the demand for local ingredients has likewise grown.
In addition to the 57 new farm breweries, New York microbreweries continue to experience unprecedented growth. The Empire State is now home to 104 microbreweries, a 160 percent increase from 40 in 2011. Additionally, the number of restaurant brewers or brewpubs has increased from 10 in 2011 to 33 today, a 230 percent increase.
Since 2011, the number of farm wineries has risen by nearly 50 percent, from 195 in 2011 to 291 today. In addition, the number of farm wineries opening branch offices, authorized by legislation in 2011, has increased by 90 percent, from 29 in 2011 to 55 today. The number of wineries has also increased by 50 percent, from 52 in 2011 to 78 today.
In addition to this substantial growth, New York's wineries have also had a banner year in terms of quality. In 2013 alone, wineries in the Empire State won more than 700 awards--the most in any single year in state history.
In October 2013, New York implemented legislative changes to further promote the apple industry by creating the Farm Cidery law. The law that went into effect Jan. 15 has led to the creation of seven new farm cideries. Farm cideries manufacture cider made exclusively from apples and other pome fruits grown in New York State. Like farm wineries and farm breweries, farm cideries also enjoy additional privileges and are allowed to offer tastings of and sell not only cider, but also beer, wine and spirits made from New York products. With the addition of the seven new farm cideries, New York is now home to 29 hard cider manufacturers, an increase of 480 percent from five in 2011.
Since 2011, the number of farm distilleries in New York State increased 450 percent, from 10 in the 2011 to 55 today. In October 2012, Cuomo signed legislation to allow licensed farm distilleries to sell their liquor at the New York State Fair, recognized county fairs and not-for-profit farmers' markets. This new law is helping local farms to grow by providing distilleries with marketing opportunities previously offered exclusively to licensed wineries, farm wineries, and farm breweries.
In addition to legislative and regulatory improvements, the State Liquor Authority has also cut the processing time for new manufacturing licenses in half. In 2010, it took the SLA an average of 83 days to review new manufacturing licenses. Today the review time takes just 38 days.
"What makes New York excel in this arena is the care and talent of vineyards who bottle the best wines in the world season after season," said Jim Trezise, president of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation. "The fact is, there is simply nothing in the world like a New York wine."
For more, visit taste.ny.gov/.