Governor Cuomo Signs Legislation to Help Expand Recreational Production of Beer, Wine and Cider in New York State
Legislation Allows for the Creation and Operation of Custom Production Centers
Governor Andrew M. signed legislation to aid in the expansion of "homebrew"
beer, wine and cider-making in New York.
This bill (S.1227B/A1100B) allows for the creation and operation of custom
beer, wine, and cider production centers that will rent space and equipment
to those looking to produce beer, wine, or cider for home consumption.
"The craft beverage industry has taken this state by storm, and more
and more New Yorkers want to try their hand at making the next great Empire
State beer, wine, or cider,"
Governor Cuomo said. "This new law builds upon this increased interest, supports local
agriculture, and breaks down artificial barriers to allow innovation and
creativity to flow."
New York's craft beverage industry is one of the fastest growing in
the nation, however many urban and suburban residents often cannot afford
or do not have access to the appropriate space or equipment to make homemade
beer, cider, or wine in their homes or apartments. These custom production
centers not only provide space and lower the overhead costs of production,
but they also provide amateur brewers and wine and cider makers with the
local ingredients and expert training needed when first starting out.
The new custom beer, wine and cider production centers will be regulated
by the State Liquor Authority.
Senator David Carlucci said, "Providing places in the community for people with shared interests
to come together has always been important to me. The creation of these
custom centers will allow neighbors to receive training and share equipment.
New York’s beer, wine, and cider industry is blossoming, and this
legislation will allow the talent pool to thrive. Moreover, the bill will
have a positive effect on the agricultural industry in New York State,
as more producers will look to use locally-grown grapes, apples, hops,
and barley. I thank Governor Cuomo for signing this important bill into
law."
Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Bill Magee said, "This opens the door to allow hobbyists, farmers, students, and aficionados
of craft beverage brewing to partake in small scale production in a custom
center, fully equipped with all the amenities of the trade. Not only will
this increase interest in craft brewing and wine making, it will benefit
sales of New York agricultural products used in wine and beer production,
while creating a new market base for the newly licensed custom crush facilities."
Building on Prior Industry Reforms to Grow New York’s Economy
This laws build on the progress made by the Governor over the past five
years to strengthen the craft beverage industry. Since 2011, the state
has implemented a multitude of significant reforms and expanded programs
to grow the craft beverage industry, including creating new farm-based
manufacturing licenses, launching a $60 million statewide promotional
campaign and hosting wine, beer and spirits summits across the state.
In just the past year, Governor Cuomo has signed legislation to modernize
the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law by
allowing for the sale of alcoholic beverages at on-premises establishments
before noon on Sunday, as well as enabling farm wineries, breweries and cideries
to sell any New York-made farm alcoholic beverage by the glass at their production facility or off-site branch store.
Under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, New York is now home to over 500
farm wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries. The number of farm
wineries in New York has increased by over 60 percent, from 195 in 2010
to 315 today while the number of farm distilleries grew from just 10 in
2010 to 95 today. Two new licenses have been created since 2011: the farm
brewery license in 2013 and the farm cidery license in 2014, with New
York now home to 129 farm breweries and 22 farm cideries businesses.