Relates to designating a portion of the state highway system as the North Country Craft Beer Trails

Justification

With over 140 craft breweries in New York State, New York craft beer is ranked third in the country with an economic impact of $2.2 billion dollars. Craft brewery production in New York is increasing faster than the national average and grew 26% from 2011 to 2012, while the national craft beer segment grew only 15% during the same period. In 2012 New York State was the 6th largest beer producing state in nation.

The popularity of craft breweries may be attributed to the farm-to-table movement. In New York the movement has been fostered by new legislation amending the alcoholic beverage control law to broaden the licenses and permits relating to the manufacture of alcoholic beverages. The law, enacted on November 13, 2014, removes and reduces fees and regulations to the benefit of small brewers by providing them with greater opportunities to market their products by expanding the activities that they can conduct at their facilities, including selling their product "by the bottle" and "by the glass." The act also successfully reduces costs for these small manufacturers by permitting them to produce more of their product at lower fees and making their wares more available to consumers.

Craft brewers want the public to see what they are doing, and symbiotically, consumers want to observe the production process. The liberalization of craft brewing will continue to strengthen the craft beer industry in New York and result in more breweries. This in turn will create a need for more local malt houses and hops farms to supply area breweries as the industry continues to fill in. The craft beer industry will certainly be strengthened but the local economies housing these breweries will also thrive as residents and tourists seek out the readily available assortment of locally produced beer.

As craft breweries gain notoriety the organization of these destinations becomes increasingly important. While wine trails already exist in many parts of the state, there currently are no craft beer trails. Like wine trails, craft beer trails will serve as a conduit of the farm-to-table movement and stimulate regional economies by increasing tourism and promoting the sale of local products. By designating specific craft beer trails in various craft beer districts throughout New York State, this bill will continue to bolster New York's craft beer industry and provide a mechanism for the advertisement and sponsorship of these goods.

Specifically, the creation of the "North Country Craft Beer Trail" will provide a unique attraction for residents and visitors to the North Country. By highlighting the craft breweries in the North Country attention will be drawn to the many other local products available in this region. Visiting the craft breweries along the trail will become another exciting activity the North Country has to offer. Thus, the enactment of this bill will invigorate and strengthen the craft brewing industry in this region and throughout New York State. It is therefore imperative that the bill creating the "North Country Craft Beer Trail" is ratified.

Legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

Minimal.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.