Amedore/Fahy Bill to Allow Distilleries to Serve New York State Wine, Beer, and Cider By the Glass Signed Into Law

Legislation (S.2481/A.2994) sponsored by Senator George Amedore and Assemblymember Patricia Fahy that will allow farm distilleries to serve New York State-made beer, wine, and cider by the glass was signed into law by Governor Cuomo yesterday.

Until now, farm distilleries could only sell beer, wine and cider by the bottle, not by the glass for consumption on site. Last year, legislation that was also sponsored by Senator Amedore and Assemblymember Fahy was signed into law that allowed for farm breweries, cideries, and wineries to serve other New York-produced beer, wine and spirits by the glass. This bill allows the same privileges to farm distilleries. The year prior, Senator Amedore and Assemblywoman Fahy worked on legislation, now law, to allow distilleries to sell gift items.

Senator George Amedore said, “This is the third year in a row that Assemblywoman Fahy and I have successfully partnered on legislation to support the growing craft beverage industry in New York State. These new businesses have contributed positively to our economy and strengthened our agricultural and tourism industries by expanding markets and providing new opportunities for our local farmers. This new law allows distilleries to continue to expand their business and also allows more consumers to take advantage of the great products our farm-based craft beverages producers have to offer.”

Assemblywoman Pat Fahy said, "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. 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. Thanks again to Senator Amedore for his partnership on this important legislation, a three for three in working together for New York’s craft beverage industry." 

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."  

New York State is now home to more than 900 wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries. The number of farm wineries in New York has increased by more than 60 percent, from 195 in 2010 to 316 today. Additionally, the number of microbreweries has grown by 285 percent, from 40 in 2010 to 154, while the number of farm distilleries grew from just 10 in 2010 to 98 today. Farm-based craft beverage producers have grown by 178 percent since 2011, from 205 to 570 manufacturers.

This law becomes Chapter 103 of the laws of 2017.