Cuomo Announces Taste NY Inaugural Craft Beer Challenge

Governor Andrew Cuomo is announcing the launch of the "Taste NY Inaugural Craft Beer Challenge."

New Yorkers are invited to vote for their favorite New York craft brewery.

Nearly 70 breweries are participating in the challenge, including the FX Matt Brewery in Utica and Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown.

Cuomo will host a final tasting event for the five breweries with the most online votes on May 17th in New York City, coinciding with American Craft Beer Week, which runs from May 15th through the 21st.

You can vote for you favorite brewery here.

"By reducing regulation and removing unnecessary barriers to growth, New York's craft beverage industry is thriving, driving tourism and creating jobs across the state," Governor Cuomo said. "The inaugural Taste NY Craft Beer Challenge will celebrate the best of New York's craft beers and connect our world-class beverage producers to new consumers and markets. When New Yorkers buy New York products, everybody wins."

New York is now home to 321 microbreweries, farm breweries, and restaurant breweries, up from only 50 total breweries in 2011 and representing a 542 percent growth in the industry.