NY: Cuomo signs legislation to boost farm distilleries
July 26, 2017
ALBANY — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has signed legislation to allow farm distilleries to sell New York State labelled beer, wine, and cider for consumption on-premises.
“This measure restores parity for New York’s burgeoning craft beverage industry and allows for new revenue streams and exposure for the great brewers, distillers, and wine and cider makers all across this great state,” Cuomo said in a news release. “As I’ve said many times, when New Yorkers buy New York-made products, everybody wins.”
Prior to the being signed into law, farm distilleries could only sell New York State-labelled spirits for on-premises consumption. Meanwhile, farm breweries, farm cideries and farm wineries all are permitted to sell New York State-labelled beers, wines, spirits and ciders for on-premises consumption.
This new law will amend section 61 of the alcoholic beverage control law to allow farm distilleries to sell New York State-labelled beer, wine and cider for on-premises consumption, effective immediately.
“This bill closes the final gap in the craft beverage industry, allowing farm distilleries to expand their products for on-premises consumption,” said State Sen. George Amedore in the news release. “With this new law, this flourishing industry will be fully equipped with the necessary tools to continue to attract New Yorkers and tourists alike to our state to see for themselves the world-class destinations that New York has to offer.”
“Farm breweries, wineries and cideries all have the right to offer tastings of various craft beverages on location — this bill restores fairness for farm distilleries, who previously were excluded from that right,” said Assemblywoman Pat Fahy. “I thank Governor Cuomo for signing this bill into law, allowing craft beverage producers at farms across New York State to thrive as drivers of tourism and local economies across the state.”
John Curtin, co-founder and co-owner, the Albany Distilling Company and vice president of the New York State Distillers Guild said, “We cannot express how much the signage of this bill means to New York’s craft distilling industry. For us at Albany Distilling, we’ve made significant investments in anticipation of the passage of this bill, including a new tasting room and production facility. We can proudly serve our spirits alongside fellow New York-produced beer, wine, and cider by the glass. A tremendous thanks to Governor Cuomo for his leadership in making the Empire State the capital of nation’s craft beverage industry.”