Governor Cuomo Announces More Than 1,000 Craft Beverage Manufacturers Now Operating In New York State

Written by Long Island News & PR | 14. June 2018

Albany, NY - June 14, 2018 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York is now home to 1,005 craft beverage manufacturers operating in 60 counties across the state. Since Governor Cuomo hosted the first Beer, Wine Spirits and Cider Summit in 2012, the number of businesses producing craft beverages has more than doubled, while the number of farm-based manufacturers has increased by over 150 percent. New York now ranks in the top five states in the U.S. for its number of craft beverage producers in every category. The state ranks first in U.S. for the number of hard cider producers, second in craft distillers, third in breweries, and fourth in the country for the total number of wineries.

"The growth of New York's craft beverage industry continues to boost local economies throughout the entire state," Governor Cuomo said. "By working to remove barriers to expansion, we have helped foster new opportunities for small businesses and will continue to support breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries as they develop their brands, create new jobs and drive tourism all over New York."

"Thanks to New York's tireless efforts to cut red tape, craft beverage manufacturers are thriving like never before in communities across the State," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "We're committed to growing the industry and attracting manufacturers to New York with new markets for their products, resulting in significant job creation. The craft beverage industry is soaring, creating new opportunities and boosting tourism in every region of the State."

Since October of 2012, 538 new craft businesses have opened, including 285 new craft breweries, 96 wineries, 95 distilleries, 39 new cideries and 23 new producers that are licensed to produce multiple types of alcoholic beverages. In the last year alone, 64 new craft breweries, 22 new wineries, 15 new craft distilleries and seven new cideries have opened in New York State.

The resurgence of New York's craft manufacturing industry has touched all corners of the state, with every region experiencing significant gains. The growth of craft beverage businesses by region can be found here.

Regional highlights include:

The Capital Region added 62 new craft beverage manufacturers, the third highest in the state. The region led the state with a 1,000 percent increase in the number of offsite tasting rooms.
Central New York added 30 new craft breweries, a 600 percent increase from five in 2012. Overall the region grew by 172 percent, with the addition of 43 new craft businesses.
The Finger Lakes boasts the highest total number of craft beverage manufacturers statewide at 178. Additionally, the region has added 27 new wineries, the most in the state.
The Mid-Hudson Valley added the most new craft manufacturers statewide, with 93 new businesses opening. The region also has the largest number of craft breweries in the state, with 54 new breweries launched since 2012.
Long Island has the second most wineries in the state at 79. The region also added over 50 new craft businesses since 2012, increasing the total number of manufacturers to 131.
The Mohawk Valley led the state with the largest percent increase in new craft beverage manufacturers, increasing 193 percent from 15 in 2012 to 44 today. Additionally, the number of wineries, craft breweries, craft distilleries and cider producers have all more than doubled in the region since 2012.
New York City had the second largest percentage growth in craft manufacturers, rising from 30 in 2012 to 84 today. New York City had no offsite tasting rooms in 2012, today there are 12 including four farm winery branch stores, four farm breweries, two farm distilleries and two farm cidery branch stores.
The North Country grew by over 150 percent since 2012, adding 32 new craft businesses. The number of offsite tasting rooms in the region increased by 225 percent, from four in 2012 to 13 today.
The Southern Tier led the state with a 600 percent increase in the number of hard cider producers. The region also has the second most offsite tasting rooms in the state at 18.
Western New York led the state in craft distillery growth, increasing from one in 2012 to 18 today. The number of craft manufacturers grew by 88 percent with the addition of 43 new craft businesses since 2012, including 21 new breweries.

Recognizing the impact craft producers have on the New York's entire economy, Governor Cuomo hosted the state's first craft beverage summit in October of 2012, where craft producers detailed Prohibition era laws, regulations, and policies that placed unnecessary restrictions on the production, sale and marketing of products. This led to a series of legislative and regulatory changes to make it easier to open and grow craft manufacturing business. Changes implemented since the Governor took office include lowering taxes and fees, creating new licenses for farm breweries and cideries, rolling back restrictive regulations, providing support for research, cutting the time it takes to obtain a license in half and overhauling the state's antiquated Alcoholic Beverage Control law.

The growth of the state's craft beverage industry has also directly benefited New York's farmers by increasing the demand for locally sourced farm products. According to Cornell University, the acreage of hops grown in New York has nearly doubled from 2014 to 2016, and the acreage of malting barley has increased by 374 percent in the same two-year period - from 422 to approximately 2,000 acres. New York is also now home to 13 malt houses, all of which have opened following the creation of the new farm brewery license. At the same time, the growth of agri-tourism in the craft beverage sector further bolsters New York's massive $100 billion tourism industry.

State Liquor Authority Chairman Vincent Bradley said, "Every new brewery, winery, cidery and distillery that opens helps to drive local and state economies by providing new jobs, driving tourism and supporting the state's agricultural sector. The Empire State is quickly becoming one of the country's premiere craft beverage destinations, and this administration's continued support of the industry will only further its record-breaking growth."

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, "Since the Governor's first craft beverage summit, entrepreneurs across the State have taken advantage of the momentum being built around the industry and have brought new and exciting products to the marketplace, expanded their production facilities and opened new branch locations. The growth of the industry has had a tremendous ripple effect in our communities, including benefiting our farmers who are supplying fresh ingredients and high-quality agricultural crops for unique varietals of beers, wines, spirits and ciders."

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, "With more than 1,000 producers statewide, New York's craft beverage industry is stronger than ever. Our strategic investments in this industry are supporting downtown revitalization efforts, job creation and regional economic growth across New York State."

Senator Patty Ritchie, Chair of the Committee on Agriculture said, "The work being done by New York State craft beverage producers is encouraging consumers to 'buy local', boosting our economy, creating jobs and strengthening the agriculture industry as whole. I was proud to join my Senate colleagues in ensuring that the state budget tripled the funding for marketing research and support for this vital industry, which will lead to its growing success for years to come."

Senator Rich Funke, Chair of the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation said, "Businesses in New York State work very hard to succeed and we know our heavy tax burden doesn't make it easy for them. Yet, the skyrocketing number of craft beverage manufacturers we're seeing shows that perseverance does pay off, thanks to those who support measures that create a favorable business climate. As the chair of New York State's Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation Committee, I will continue to stand by businesses by fighting for lower taxes and against regulations that hurt our economy so that our state can continue to soar as a tourist destination."

Assembly Member William Magee, Chair of the Committee on Agriculture said, "New York State's tourism industry has benefitted exponentially from the increase in craft and farm breweries, wineries, cideries, and distilleries; also the agriculture industry and local economies have been given a boost from their success, and New Yorkers are taking great pride and enjoyment in their locally crafted beverages. Innovative, smart entrepreneurs have broken new ground with great upstarts and exciting products, and there's more to come!"

Assembly Member Daniel J. O'Donnell, Chair of the Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development said, "New York's craft beverage industry is so hoppin' (pun intended) that a few more producers decided to call New York State home while we were planning this celebration of reaching 1,000! This growth is a vital part of the economy of the State of New York, because it drives tourism, creates jobs and boosts the local economy. For every New Yorker, there's a New York beer made just for them. I look forward to continued growth and opportunity for the industry in our state."

New York State Brewers Association Executive Director Paul Leone said, "With over 400 breweries and growing, it's great to see our friends in the wine, spirits and cider industries experiencing the same kind of growth that we are. The craft beverage industry as a whole is a true economic success story on many levels, all made possible by favorable legislation and bipartisan support from our legislature. We thank Governor Cuomo for his unwavering support of our industry, the results of which are clear with over a 1000 producers in our state. There's no better time for New Yorkers to get and taste some of the best craft beverages in the world."

New York Distiller's Guild President Cory Muscato said, "The distilled spirits industry of New York State has seen monumental growth in size and scope thanks to efforts like that of Governor Cuomo's. In the six years since Governor Cuomo hosted the first Beer, Wine Spirits and Cider Summit in 2012 the Distilled Spirits industry has seen an advancement in market access programs, regulatory flexibility, in addition to the streamlining of various research, licensing, and funding practices. All these improvements have given our distilleries the opportunity to champion their products here in New York State and beyond!"

New York Wine & Grape Foundation Executive Director Sam Filler said, "Governor Cuomo's resolute commitment to growing New York's craft manufacturing sector continues to pay dividends. The multitude of policies enacted since the first industry wide Summit in 2012 has led to more than 430 wineries across the state and has fostered partnerships and collaboration between our wineries, breweries, cideries and spirits producers, leading to unprecedented growth in our industries as well as supporting our farmers and driving tourism across New York."

New York Cider Association Executive Director Jenn Smith said, "More cideries means greater utilization of and value for New York's apple crop. The boost that Governor Cuomo has given craft beverage translates not only to New York cider's leadership in the national cider industry, and jobs in the cideries that have come online in the past few years, but has also led to an expansion of the marketplace for family farms growing apples, one of New York's most important crops."