Brewer’s Blog

EPA And OSHA Have An Enforcement Priority Dealing With Hazardous Chemicals

September 21st, 2015 • by Rick Marx and Elaine Enfonde

The effort focuses on EPA’s Risk Management Program and OSHA’s Process Safety Management Program. These programs are very similar, except for their objectives: EPA’s is to protect human health and the environment and OSHA’s is to protect worker safety. EPA and OSHA inspectors are “cross-trained” to identify the other agency’s potential regulatory concerns. This is […]

New York Craft Brewers May Get Streamlined Wastewater Permit

September 8th, 2015 • by Libby Ford and Amy L. Reichhart

Water is often overlooked as an important ingredient in beer making.  Not only is it in the product, but fairly significant quantities are also used in equipment cleaning and other processes.  Once the cleaning, bottle washing etc. is done, the now “dirty” water has to be managed and disposed.  Typically the disposal is accomplished through […]

Drinking on the job: Issues for the craft brewer as employer:

August 25th, 2015 • by Christopher Gegwich

As a craft brewer, you cannot escape the stark reality that your product is alcohol. Beyond what is needed for purposes of quality control, many employees may be tempted to indulge (or over-indulge) in your product during working hours. While you certainly do not want to restrict an employee’s ability to enjoy the fruit of […]

New Legislation Makes Business Easier for New York’s Craft Brewing and Distillery Enterprises

August 20th, 2015 • by Chip Grieco

With over 200 breweries in operation accounting for more than 11,000 jobs, craft beer in New York is approaching a $4 billion enterprise – New York State Assemblyman Kevin Cahill On August 14, 2015 New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo signed three bills into law, which amend the New York State Tax Law and New […]

Looking to contract out production of your beer brand? Be careful of fee arrangements.

August 17th, 2015 • by Patrick Quinlan

The New York State Liquor Authority has recently issued an advisory clarifying that retail licensees that market a particular brand of beer and that contract-out production of the beer to a manufacturer cannot receive payments from the manufacturer that correlate to the manufacturer’s sales. This situation is most likely to arise in the context of […]

THE BEER TASTING REGULATORY PUZZLE

August 11th, 2015 • by Wanda Wuest

Trying to figure out the rules for doing consumer tastings of beer in New York State can be challenging.  Following is a brief guide to assist you in determining if your proposed tasting is in compliance with the laws and regulations of New York and whether some sort of permit may be needed in addition […]

Sun Brewed – Offsetting the Costs of Hot Water Usage with Solar Thermal Technology

August 4th, 2015 • by Adam Hamilton

If you’ve been living under a rock in New York State for the better part of a decade then you probably haven’t recognized the huge strides that the New York State craft beer movement has made. While living comfortably under that same rock, you probably haven’t realized that New York State is now ranked 8th […]

#Trouble: Beware When Running Social Media Contests and Sweepstakes

July 29th, 2015 • by Jackie Sudano

Social media is a great platform to spread the word about your amazing products, connect with consumers, bring beer lovers together to discuss favorite brews and—best of all—it’s free. Many new craft producers turn to social media (particularly, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) to run contests and sweepstakes to help spread brand awareness and create a […]

Benefits of Vendor Managed Inventory

July 20th, 2015 • by Bill Madl

Many companies, including craft breweries, are expanding their business growth at a rate that exceeds their ability to keep up with operations, especially maintaining an accurate inventory of raw materials and finished goods that will satisfy their customer demands. In many instances, there are shortages, obsolescence, aging, expediting and all sorts of time and energy […]

Understanding the Three Tier System

July 15th, 2015 • by Brian Mahoney

If you’re thinking of starting a new craft brewery, odds are that you’re a passionate home brewing hobbyist who wants to turn a passion into a career. At some point in that process, you’re going to run up against the myriad laws, regulations and administrative practices that make up beverage alcohol regulation in the United […]