New NY law to help small breweries in Brooklyn, elsewhere

July 19, 2012 Brooklyn Eagle Staff
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The Brooklyn Brewery, Sixpoint Brewery and other small breweries across the state will be the benefactors of a bill Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed yesterday.

Any brewery that produces 60 million or fewer gallons of beer in New York will now be eligible for a refundable tax credit applied against New York State personal income and business taxes, according to the Governor’s Office. The bill also exempts small breweries from paying a state liquor authority fee.

"Brooklyn Brewery is completing a $12 million dollar expansion and we're proud to contribute to the economic growth of our city, our state, and the craft beer industry," said Steve Hindy, who is one of the founders of the Brooklyn Brewery, last month.

At the time, Hindy said the loss of the exemption threatened its work force and prices "just as we're trying to attract a larger group of consumers."

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The state has more than 90 breweries.

The law also establishes a license to allow craft brewers using New York hops to operate like wineries, which can sell products directly from their own retail outlets.

They will be able to sell each other's products as well.

Farm-based breweries will be able to open restaurants.

The law exempts breweries producing brands of 1,500 barrels or less annually, even breweries outside New York, from the state's $150 annual brand label fee.


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