Posted June 19, 2014
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a bill to reduce restrictions for craft beverage producers in New York, according to an article on Dan’s Papers by Kristen Fedor available here. Riverhead News-Review also published an article available here, Shanken News Daily here, and Auburn Pub here.
The proposed legislation includes several provisions to benefit the craft beverage industry, including an easier permit process and reformed marketing restrictions.
The new bill is a result of conversations from last April’s Wine, Beer and Cider Summit.
The bill eliminates the need for a permit to offer pint tastings or sell growlers on site. The bill also increases the production cap for small producers, but it is unclear by how much, according to Riverhead News-Review.
Local brewers are praising the bill.
“Ideally, these end up creating less paperwork and lowering licensing fees,” said Greg Martin, co-owner of Riverhead’s Long Ireland Beer Company. “It’s definitely helping.”
Since 2011, New York’s number of microbreweries has increased from 40 to 100, the number of farm distilleries has increased from 10 to 42, and the number of farm wineries has increased from 195 to 289, according to Shanken News Daily.
The legislation will go into effect 30 days after it is signed into law, which is expected to happen Thursday during the 2014 legislative session, according to Auburn Pub.
For more information on local food systems, please visit the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
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