ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state is convening a summit dedicated to boosting the state's tourism and craft alcohol industries.

The event Tuesday in Albany is expected to bring together hundreds of representatives from local beer, wine, cider and spirits manufacturers as well as local and state tourism officials.

Similar summits have been held in past years as the state looks to capitalize on the growing popularity of locally produced alcoholic beverages.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has made it a priority to encourage the industry, announced the summit on Monday.

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

The number of farm cideries operating in New York State has tripled in the past two years.

Governor Cuomo released the numbers at the 4th annual State Wine and Craft Beverage Summit in Albany today.

The number of New York Cideries has grown from 8 to 24, with Cuomo calling the expansion a direct result of the Farm Cideries legislation that established a new license for cider-makers that use New York grown crops.

Since 2011, the number of farm-based alcohol beverage makers increased by 178 percent, bringing the total number of craft beverage producers that use New York grown ingredients to 570.

[Story by Luke Tubia, WIBX]

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