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New York State’s Craft Beer Biz Surges (Albany, NY) – A new economic impact report commissioned by the state’s brewers association is reporting that it is now a $5 billion industry that has produced more than 20,000 jobs.
New York State’s 434 breweries generated $3.5 billion in direct economic impact last year, through beer production, sales and the operation of brewery tasting rooms. Those operations alone employed 11,000 workers, with $722 million in wages, according to the report that was conducted by John Dunham & Associates of New York City and paid for by the New York State Brewers Association. “When economic spin-off spending is included, the total impact of craft brewing in New York rose to $5.4 billion,” reports New York Upstate.
New York State’s craft brewers recorded 46.8 million brewery visits, generating $317 million in tourism revenue in 2018 and at least one brewery operating in 58 of New York’s 62 counties. Leading the way were Suffolk County, on Long Island, with 36; Monroe (Rochester), with 26; Erie (Buffalo), with 24; Kings (Brooklyn) with 22; and Onondaga (Syracuse), with 21. Only Hamilton, Montgomery, Orleans and Wayne counties had no breweries.
Words To Drink By (Rochester, NY) – “Last year we had one brewery opening every seven days and I’m not seeing that slowing down this year…So we could be in the high 400s (more than 400 breweries) by the end of this year.” Paul Leone, Director / New York State Brewers Association
The Hoegaarden Brewery recently offered a free spring break getaway to Hoegaarden Belgium, a rustic village, near Tienen in Flanders that is said to be modern birthplace of Belgian Witbier. Two lucky winners will receive free flights and accommodations in Belgium along with a sweet $1,445 traveling stipend.
Hoegaarden, renowned for its White Ales is now owned by the world’s largest brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev who clearly can afford big-time promotions like this. And as we’ve no pride, we entered the now closed contest multiple times…but we’re not getting our hopes up.
What We’ve Been Drinking Lately (San Francisco, CA) –Anchor Brewing recently sent us a tasty collaboration that they did with and San Franpsycho, a community-based clothing and lifestyle brand. Brewed to honor the city and culture of San Francisco, but available nationwide, Anchor San Franpsycho IPA is a 6.3% ABV hazy golden limited release with BIG stone fruit flavors and a slightly sweet finish.
