State lawmakers passed a bill last week to provide a tax break to the craft beverage industry in New York. The State Senate voted to exempt tastings at breweries, cideries and distilleries from sales tax. Currently, only tastings at wineries are exempt from sales tax. The legislation is designed to aid the craft beverage industry that state officials say has expanded in recent years. Among the sponsors of the bill when it went before the assembly was Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, who represents Binghamton and the towns of Union and Vestal. The legislation goes to Governor Cuomo for his consideration. According to Empire State Development, New York has 460 wineries, 278 breweries, 124 distilleries and 35 cideries. The state has seen a 183% increase in craft beverage producers since 2011.
