New York farm distilleries will soon be able to serve wine, beer and cider made in the state by the glass.
Legislation just passed by the state Senate and Assembly serves up the latest update to the state’s liquor laws. Until now, farm distilleries could only sell beer, wine and cider by the bottle, not for drinking on site.
The legislation was sponsored by state Sen. George Amedore (R-Rotterdam) and Assemblymember Patricia A. Fahy (D-Albany). The two sponsored similar legislation in previous years that gave farm cideries, breweries and wineries the same ability to serve state-produced beer, wine and spirits by the glass.
The farm distillery license requires alcohol producers to use primarily farm products grown in New York. Farm-based craft beverage producer ”“ which includes distillers, cideries, breweries and wineries ”“ have grown by 178 percent since 2011, from 205 to 570 manufacturers, according to the state Legislature press release. In Westchester, farm distillers include the Good Shepherd Distillery in Mamaroneck, NeverSink Spirits in Port Chester and Nahmias et Fils Distillery in Yonkers.
“New York-based craft beverage producers want to support each other and this legislation has created the necessary avenues to make this possible,” said Jennifer Smith, executive director of the New York Cider Association.
The bill now goes onto Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo for approval.
