New York is now home to 1,005 craft beverage manufacturers operating in 60 counties across the state.
Since 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, state officials said.
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 officials said.
“The growth of New York’s craft beverage industry continues to boost local economies throughout the entire state,” Gov. Andrew 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 Lt. Gov. 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, that includes Saratoga Washington and Warren Counties, which 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 off-site tasting rooms.
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, state officials said.
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, “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 and 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.”