Map: Where are the Small Breweries, Hard Cider Producers in Downstate New York?

On Wednesday, New York took center stage in the craft brewery world when news broke that Long Island-based Blue Point Brewery would be snatched up by beer behemoth Anheuser-Busch for an undisclosed sum.

Some people in Internet comments praised the news.

"Good for the owners. I'm sure they have worked hard throughout the years in order to be so successful. They deserve to reap the fruits of their labor. Hopefully the jobs will stay in the area,” wrote one Patch reader.

However, many jumped in to blast the brewery, predicting that heavy-handed oversight by the deep-pocketed Anheuser-Busch would spell the end of Blue Point's craft brewery feel.

"Specialty beers are special because they are not tied to a big conglomerate like Anheuser-Busch. Now these businesses want to cash in on these specialty, small businesses which will take away any small town flavor and ownership. I think it's terrible they caved,” another reader wrote.

While the future of Blue Point hasn’t been written yet, the move happens as more and more local craft breweries and cider producers pop up across the region.

To illustrate that, we’ve compiled a map of all the small breweries and cider producers in the Downstate area using state data made publicly available by New York’s State Liquor Authority.

While Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg is the only large-scale brewery in the region (for now), the rest of the businesses are broken down into these license types.

Farm Breweries

Gov. Andrew Cuomo in July 2012 signed a law creating the farm brewery license, reserved for brewers who primarily use ingredients such as hops and barley that are grown in New York. The law, which took effect in January 2013, gives farm breweries license to sell and allow tastings of other New York-made beer, wine or spirits on their premises. The license also exempts them from having to file quarterly tax statements with the state.

Through 2023, farm breweries must use at least 60 percent New York ingredients to keep their designation. But once 2024 begins, farm breweries will have to use no less than 90 percent local ingredients to make their beers.

Microbrewers

These prevalent local breweries are allowed to produce no more than 60,000 barrels of beer each year, and must score a retail license to sell directly to the public as opposed to wholesalers. Microbrewers are allowed to have a restaurant on site.

Restaurant Brewers

This license allows brewers to brew beer on the premises of a full-service restaurant. Restaurant brewers are allowed up to five locations, and each venue can brew no more than 5,000 barrels of beer each.

Cider Producer

This license simply allows the business to ferment juice from fresh-pressed apples into cider. However, the alcohol percentage of cider is not allowed to go above 7 percent.

Click through the map above, and let us know who your favorite local brewery or cider maker is.