New York is accepting nominations through Nov. 20 for new awards honoring stores and other retailers that promote craft beverages made with ingredients grown in the state.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the Craft Beverage Retailer Awards Friday. The program covers beer, wine, mead, liquor and cider, with up to three winners possible in each category. Winners will receive an award they can display at their businesses and use in marketing.
Who can be nominated
Eligible retailers must be based in New York, hold the licenses needed to sell the beverages in their award category and have operated for at least two years. They must show exceptional efforts to promote products made with New York agricultural ingredients and be in good standing with state liquor regulations.
Industry partner organizations and advocacy groups may submit nominations; retailers cannot nominate themselves. An authorized nominating organization may recommend up to three businesses in as many as two award categories, according to the governor's office.
Empire State Development and the state Department of Agriculture and Markets will review and score the submissions. The State Liquor Authority will check whether the highest-scoring retailers are in good standing before finalists are sent to the governor for selection.
Awards aim to connect producers and customers
The state says retailers help New York breweries, wineries, meaderies, distilleries and cideries reach shoppers and restaurants. That link is especially visible in the Finger Lakes, where beverage producers and the farms that supply them are part of the regional economy.
Hochul said the awards are intended to recognize businesses that give locally produced drinks a prominent place on their shelves and help customers discover them. State officials said more than 1,000 craft beverage producers hold licenses across New York.
Nominating organizations can find the full application requirements through the governor's announcement. The deadline is Friday, Nov. 20; the state did not give a date for announcing winners.
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