Governor Welcomes 14 Licensed Farm Breweries, Including Long Ireland Beer Company

Riverhead's Long Island Brewery is one of 14 licensed farm breweries in New York State welcomed by Governor Andrew Cuomo this week.

And, it's the only one on Long Island.

On Wednesday, Cuomo discussed the local farm breweries that have opened as a result of legislation he signed, which took effect in January.

The new farm brewery licensing opened the door for craft brewers that use products grown in New York State to operate in a similar fashion to the state’s farm wineries, leading to increased demand for locally grown farm products as well as expanded economic development and tourism, Cuomo said.

Cuomo also said there has been a nearly 100 percent increase in microbreweries across the state over just over two years.

In the first quarter of 2011, there were 51 licensed microbreweries across New York State; today, there are 93. 

“With the opening of 14 farm breweries since January and a nearly 100 percent increase in our microbreweries, it is clear that New York’s craft beer industry is booming – and this is just the beginning,” Cuomo said. “The state is committed to promoting New York’s exceptional food and beverage producers through our Taste NY initiative and investments in research and development to further grow the industry. Not only do these efforts benefit New York’s craft breweries, but they also help our agricultural sector to flourish. We want New Yorkers and visitors alike to ‘buy local’ and keep coming back for more.”

Under the new law, which Cuomo signed in July, 2012, in order to receive a farm brewery license in New York State, the beer must be made primarily from locally grown farm products.

Until the end of 2018, at least 20 percent of the hops and 20 percent of all other ingredients must be grown or produced in New York State.

From January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2023, no less than 60 percent of the hops and 60 percent of all other ingredients must be grown or produced in New York State.

After January 1, 2024, no less than 90 percent of the hops and 90 percent of all other ingredients must be grown or produced in New York State.

The beer manufactured under these guidelines would be designated as “New York State labeled beer.”

Cuomo pointed out that the legislation was modeled after the 1976 “Farm Winery Act,” which helped to cultivate wine production in New York, including the creation of 261 farm wineries and tripling the number of wineries.

Under the farm brewery license, brewers do not need an additional permit to serve beer by the glass, which has the highest return for brewers in terms of sales.

Farm brewers can also make and serve cider by the glass. They are allowed to have five branch offices, where they can sell their products and other New York State labeled beer, wine, and liquor, in addition to having tasting rooms, retail shops and restaurants.

The other 13 licensed farm breweries are located primarily upstate.

Hops acreage in New York is currently at 140, double last year's amount of acres, Cuomo said.

“New York Farm Bureau has always been a strong supporter of increasing opportunities for our farmer members. The opportunity created by the new farm category of licenses – either winery, distilleries, cideries or breweries – has created new possibilities for growth," said Dean Norton, president of the New York Farm Bureau. "I’ve seen firsthand the excitement of our farmers when their kids return to the farm and embrace the beverage sector, by planting relatively newer crops like hops, malting barley varieties, and of course, new varieties of grapes."

Cuomo created an online “one stop shop” to provide New York’s wine, beer and spirits producers with a single contact point for help with regulations, licensing, state incentives and any other questions.