Craft beverages are surging due to a demand among people, especially younger generations, for a unique drink. Southern Tier Brewery continues to be a renowned name both near and far for their craft beers. Background image provided by The Associated Press. P-J photo by Jimmy McCarthy

MAYVILLE –The craft beverage industry is booming, and it could be an advantageous venture for growing hops and establishing brewery pubs in Chautauqua County.

For many people, especially younger generations, having a unique and distinct craft beverage is more desirable than drinking a traditional beer.

Pat Gooch, senior planner for the county Planning and Economic Development Department, discussed the potential for more craft beverage establishments and the idea of growing hops with county Planning Board members during a Tuesday meeting.

“The market is expected to grow in the coming years and it’s not too late to get involved in an ambitious way,” he said. “This is not just about taking raw product and turning it into beer or wine. This is also about farmers who can transition from something they’re struggling on to something that often is more profitable and a similar type of product to grow.”

Nationwide, the craft beverage industry brings in billions of dollars on an annual basis. Just over the last couple years, New York state has embraced the industry through the creation of laws and grant programs to allow individuals the chance to begin a brewery, distillery, cidery or winery. The marketing campaign has also racheted up as Empire State Development has thrown in funds to advertise and attract people to local craft beverages.

With low grape prices and excess product, there’s been strong growth in wine grapes. Gooch said there’s also opportunity for grape growers and farmers to grow hops given ideal soil and conditions, but it’ll come at a price to get a trellis system properly placed.

“(Hops) are grown on poles with wires connecting them, and it costs about $10,000-$15,000 per acre,” he said. “You need about 10 acres to be productive. Hops grow in the same type of soil as grapes. If we’re able to transition farmers, they can have a more stable income.”

One issue facing the craft beverage industry locally is the fact that many zoning codes don’t address hop growing or actual consumption facilities like brew pubs or micro distilleries.

“They have different connotations because you don’t want a big plant, but it might be appropriate to have a brew pub doing the same process on a smaller scale. A lot of zone codes don’t allow that to happen,” Gooch said.

According to Empire State Development, New York State ranks No. 3 in the nation for wine and grape production, No. 2 in apple production and No. 3 in the number of distilleries. The state is also home to three of the nation’s 20 top-selling craft breweries.

In Chautauqua County, 23 wineries make up the Lake Erie Wine Trail while Southern Tier Brewery continues to be a renowned name near and abroad for their craft beers.

New York State’s roster of craft beverage manufacturers includes 460 wineries, 278 breweries, 124 distilleries and 35 cideries.