Dive Brief:
- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on April 8 that the state will spend $6 million to market New York's wine and beer industry and seek to reform laws to expand distilleries in the state.
- Two days later, the State Liquor Authority (SLA) approved advisories to help support the continued growth and development of New York’s farm-based beverage producers.
- Governor Cuomo also reiterated his commitment to introduce the Craft New York Act, which opens up more opportunities for craft brewers in the state.
Dive Insight:
In 2011 Cuomo launched a $60 million tourism campaign to publicize food and beverage products made in state called "Taste NY," which, according to the governor, has yielded $4 billion in economic activity. New York is now home to nearly 500 wineries, breweries, and distilleries, and it ranks third in the nation in wine production, second in the country for the number of distilleries in a state. The number of farm-based beverage licenses for distilleries, wineries, breweries, and cideries has risen 72% since 2011 when the laws were reformed to facilitate such businesses. Given past experience, the latest steps will have a positive effect on increasing the level of growth.
The SLA approved eliminating unnecessary paperwork and clarifying standards on brand label registrations, authorizing the sale of “growlers” for beer and cider, eliminating an $1,000 bond requirement for farm wineries, reducing costs for manufacturers and wholesalers with multiple licenses by allowing them to deliver all their products in one shipment, and providing guidance to the industry concerning the new “roadside farm market law.”