Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced the
\ncraft beer industry in New York state grew
\n59 percent from 2013 to 2014, with a total
\neconomic impact estimated at $3.5 billion.<\/p>\n

These results, according to a research report
\nprepared for the New York State Brewers Association
\nand the New York Wine and Grape
\nFoundation, are another example of the incredible
\ngrowth the industry has been seeing.<\/p>\n

“We have said time and time again that
\nNew York produces some of the best craft
\nbeverages anywhere, and this report backs
\nup exactly why we are focusing on growing
\nthese breweries,” Cuomo said. “By cutting the
\ncosts of doing business, rolling back red tape,
\nand promoting products through Taste NY, we
\nare seeing monumental success across the
\nstate. When these craft beverage producers
\ndo well, it creates jobs, puts more money in
\nlocal economies and sets the stage for future
\ngrowth.”<\/p>\n

The report, prepared by Stonebridge Research Group, finds significant growth in the
\ncraft beer industry since the 2012 passage of
\nNew York Farm Brewery legislation and with
\ncontinued support from the governor. The
\nnumber of craft breweries has more than
\ndoubled from 2012 to 2015, from 95 breweries
\nin 2012 and 207 in January, 2015. Craft beer
\nproduction is up 54 percent from 2011 to 2013,
\nto 859,535 barrels.<\/p>\n

The craft beer industry is creating large
\nripples in the state’s economy. Craft beer
\naccounts for 6,552 direct industry jobs,
\naccording to the report, while supporting
\nanother 4,814 jobs in related industries. It is
\nresponsible for more than $2.9 billion in direct
\nand indirect revenue within the state, and
\nanother $554 million in direct and indirect
\nwages, making up the nearly $3.5 billion in
\ntotal economic impact on the state.<\/p>\n

Tourists and New Yorkers alike are flocking
\nto craft breweries and brew pubs. Their visits support more than 3,000 jobs that pay
\nmore than $77 million in annual wages and
\ngenerate more than $450 million in revenue,
\nthe report says.<\/p>\n

Cuomo has hosted several summits for the
\nbeer, wine, spirits, and cider industry. Those
\nsummits resulted in a significant effort to
\neliminate regulatory red tape and create incentives
\nfor the strong growth of the industry.<\/p>\n

Among the efforts:<\/p>\n

The recently adopted 2015-16 state budget
\nincluded Cuomo’s proposal to expand tax
\nexemptions for tastings conducted by New
\nYork breweries, lowering costs for hundreds
\nof craft producers and allowing them to better
\nmarket their products and reinvest in their
\nbusinesses. The tax credit goes into effect on
\nJune 1, 2015.<\/p>\n

In November 2014, the governor signed the
\nCraft New York Act, further stimulating the
\ndevelopment of small breweries by reducing
\ncosts and increasing the annual production
\ncap for farm breweries and micro-breweries
\nfrom 60,000 barrels to 75,000. Also in November
\n2014, the governor launched the Craft
\nBeverage Grant programs–a $2 million Craft
\nBeverage Marketing and Promotion Grant
\nProgram and a $1 million Craft Beverage
\nIndustry Tourism Promotion Grant.<\/p>\n

The second Wine, Beer, Spirits, and Cider
\nSummit, in 2014, resulted in the elimination
\nof paperwork for beverage manufacturers
\nwhile reducing costs and regulations on farm
\nwineries.<\/p>\n

The creation in 2013 of a One-Stop Shop
\nto provide beverage producers with a single
\npoint of contact on state regulations, licensing,
\nincentives, and other issues.<\/p>\n

The Farm Cidery law, in 2013, which fostered
\nthe speedy development of the hard
\ncider segment of the beverage industry, leading
\nto 480 percent growth in the number of
\ncideries from 2011 to 2014.<\/p>\n

Legislation signed by the governor in 2012
\nthat allowed farm distilleries for the first time
\nto sell their products at the Great New York
\nState Fair, at recognized county fairs, and
\nnot-for-profit farmers markets.<\/p>\n

The first Wine, Beer, and Spirits Summit,
\nin 2012, gave manufacturers the ability to sell
\nbottles when they are conducting tastings,
\neliminated duplicative licenses and reduced
\nlicensing fees.<\/p>\n

Successful efforts by the state Liquor
\nAuthority to speed up the process of reviewing
\nnew manufacturing licenses. The review
\ntime was cut in half, from 83 days in 2010 to
\n38 days in 2014.<\/p>\n

The promotional efforts of the Taste NY
\nprogram, which has brought the consumer
\nsampling of New York beverages and other
\nproducts to major events across the state
\nand which makes those products available at
\nspecial stores in Thruway rest stops and New
\nYork City-area airports.<\/p>\n

The creation of a $350,000 fund to support
\nresearch into hops and malting barley, crops
\nthat are essential to the growth of the craft
\nbeer industry. Disease and Prohibition wiped
\nout New York’s hops farms decades ago, but
\nthe recent Farm Brewery legislation signed
\nby the governor mandates that New York craft
\nbreweries get 20 percent of their ingredients
\nfrom within the state, a percentage that will
\nrise over time to 60 percent and then 90 percent.<\/p>\n

The state’s support has caused a swift
\nrise in hops acreage, from just 15 acres in 2010
\nto 250 acres in 2014 with more on the way.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced the craft beer industry in New York state grew 59 percent from 2013 to 2014, with a total economic impact estimated at $3.5 billion. These results, according to a research report prepared for the New…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[57,102],"class_list":["post-16815","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-business-news","tag-business-news","tag-ny-state"],"yoast_head":"\r\n