WEST HAVERSTRAW, NY – Rockland County’s local breweries and distilleries may benefit from a groundbreaking new law that allows them to ship alcohol directly to consumers, a move that is poised to invigorate the county’s craft beverage scene.
The law, recently signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, lifts a longstanding restriction that had previously prevented small distillers, breweries, and cideries from shipping their products directly to customers, both within New York and across state lines.
The legislation, which has been praised by industry advocates, now grants Rockland County’s craft beverage producers the same direct-to-consumer shipping rights that have been available to wineries since 2005. For many in the local industry, this change is seen as a crucial step toward ensuring fair competition and expanding market access.
In villages where small, independent breweries and distilleries are steadily gaining recognition, the ability to ship directly to consumers is a game-changer. Local producers like Stony Point Brewing Co., and Two Ladders Brewing Co. in West Nyack stand to benefit significantly, as the new law opens up opportunities for them to reach a broader customer base without the need for traditional distribution channels.
While the direct-to-consumer shipping option is not expected to lead to an immediate surge in sales, it provides a crucial pathway for local producers to grow their businesses. North Rockland Chamber of Commerce Secretary Tom Ossa believes that this new channel will help many craft beverage makers in Rockland County gain the market access needed to eventually get their products onto liquor store shelves and beyond.
”It’s a numbers game, and always has been. You have to prove to larger companies that your product or service is popular enough to justify shelf space,” Ossa said. “The more distribution channels you open, the better opportunity you have to prove those numbers.”
The new law also has significant implications for Rockland’s agricultural sector. With local farms increasingly supplying ingredients to the county’s craft beverage makers, the ability to ship directly to consumers helps strengthen these vital agricultural ties.
State Senator James Skoufis (D-Orange) and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Broome), who sponsored the legislation, emphasized the law’s potential to stimulate the local economy. Skoufis highlighted the importance of supporting local producers and providing consumers with safe, convenient access to craft beverages. “This new law will provide an enormous boost to hundreds of craft beverage producers and the farmers who support them all while providing a safe, convenient medium for adult consumers to responsibly enjoy their favorite drink,” Skoufis said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the state temporarily relaxed rules to allow direct-to-consumer alcohol shipping, and the governor’s office reported that this period saw “no recorded violations,” setting the stage for this permanent legislation.
Governor Hochul stressed that this new law is essential for maintaining New York’s leadership in the craft beverage industry, which includes Rockland County. “This legislation levels the playing field, allowing these small producers to reach new markets and foster economic growth across the state,” Hochul said. “With this new law, we are ensuring that New York remains a national leader in craft beverages, continuing to support our local businesses, tourism, and agriculture.”
However, the law is not without its critics. Michael Correra, a Brooklyn Heights liquor store owner and president of the Metropolitan Package Store Association, voiced concerns that the legislation could be exploited by larger liquor companies, potentially bypassing the reseller network that small producers in Rockland County and beyond rely on. “This is not just about the small distilleries, this could lead to the larger distilleries bypassing the whole reseller network,” Correra warned.
Dave Ludwig, owner of Stony Point Brewing Co., and of the West Haverstraw-based taproom Bricktown Bierhaus, agreed with that assessment, but had a more measured overall response to the legislation. “I think this could help the industry as long as the big guys don’t take advantage of it and overshadow us.”
Despite the opposition, Rockland County’s craft beverage producers are optimistic that the new law will provide them with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive market.