The growing craft beer industry in New York can benefit from a series of laws favoring use of New York ingredients. The art of craft brewing has brought so much sophistication and variety, brew masters seek premium ingredients sourced from around the world. Using New York ingredients to have a New York labelled beer product does not have to be a compromise.
Did you know New York used to produce 80% of the U.S. national hop crop? New York has the perfect conditions to produce superior quality hops. More than 25 New York farms are growing hops, and more are certain to join the party. These small hop farms may produce artisan quality hop products to bring new flavor profiles to craft brewers. New pelletizing plants in Rochester and Oneonta can pelletize hops to give them a longer shelf life for year round brewing in our New York winters.
Breweries looking for New York hops can contact Cornell Cooperative Extension for assistance. There is even a hops specialist, Steve Miller, in the Madison County Cornell Cooperative Extension office.