New York State Craft Beverage Industry Booming

The number of farm based businesses that make wine, beer, spirits and cider using ingredients grown in New York has increased by 100% since 2011.

Governor Cuomo announced over the weekend that the state will support the new growth with a new advertisement beginning on Labor Day.

New York State has seen 57 new farm breweries open up across the state, and the number of microbreweries increase by 160% from 40 to 104 statewide.

Since 2011, the number of wineries as grown 50% from 195 in 2011 to 291 today, and in 2013 alone, won more than 700 awards - the most in any single year in state history.

The number of farm distilleries has also jumped. In 2011 only 10 distilleries existed in new York, compared to 55 today - a 55% increase.

"The craft beverage industry is one of New York's greatest success stories, and we are doing everything we can in state government to keep the the tremendous growth seen by our wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries going strong," Cuomo said. "From Long Island to the Finger Lakes, these local businesses support jobs and economic activity in both agriculture and tourism, and investing in them means investing in New York's future. I ma thrilled by the tremendous growth that our craft beverage industry has seen over the past few years."