LEGISLATION PASSES THAT ALLOWS FOR FARM DISTILLERIES TO SERVE NYS BEER, WINE, AND CIDER BY THE GLASS

Legislation sponsored by Senator George Amedore and Assemblymember Patricia A. Fahy has passed both the Senate and the Assembly that will allow farm distilleries to serve New York State-made beer, wine, and cider by the glass.

Until now, farm distilleries could only sell beer, wine, and cider by the bottle, and not for on-premise consumption. This is not the first time that Senator Amedore and Assemblymember Fahy have worked together on behalf of the rights of craft beverage producers. In 2016, they sponsored similar legislation that gave farm cideries the ability to serve beer, wine, and spirits by the glass, in addition to related legislation that allowed the same privileges for farm breweries and wineries. And in 2015, sponsored legislation allowing farm distilleries to sell souvenir and gift items was signed into law.

“I’m proud to continue to partner with Assemblywoman Fahy to encourage further growth and cross promotion between New York’s farm-based craft beverage industries. This legislation builds on our efforts in previous sessions and will help these growing businesses continue to expand, and will introduce more consumers to the great products that New York’s craft beverage producers have to offer,” said Senator George Amedore. 

“I could not be more pleased to see this legislation pass overwhelmingly this session, and to note that this is the third bill passed in three years with Senator Amedore to promote the craft beverage industry. This bill supports the rapidly growing craft beverage industry here in New York and helps ensure its success. Allowing distilleries to serve beer, wine and cider by the glass fosters collaboration among New York producers, which results in a broader customer base and greater exposure for craft beverage businesses,” said Assemblymember Fahy.

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 650 percent, from 40 in 2010 to over 300, 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.

“We cannot express how much the passing of this bill means to us here at Albany Distilling. We are now even more excited than before to open the doors of our new location in the Warehouse District. We will proudly serve our spirits, as well as New York-produced beer, wine, and cider by the glass,” said John Curtin, co-founder and co-owner, the Albany Distilling Company and vice president of the New York State Distillers Guild.

"New York-based craft beverage producers want to support each other and this legislation has created the necessary avenues to make this possible. I’m excited to see the partnerships that unfold between distilleries and cideries, as well as with breweries and wineries,” said Jennifer Smith, executive director, New York Cider Association.

“This past year, farm breweries were also given the ability to serve the other farm beverages by the glass. We're pleased to see the same opportunity being given to distillers. This bill is just one more way to bring the community of farm beverage producers here in New York, together,” said Paul Leone, executive director, New York State Brewers Association.

The bill passed with a unanimous vote in the State Senate and overwhelmingly in the Assembly. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature.