HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture touted the commonwealth’s thriving beer industry at Harrisburg Beer Week’s “First Sip” event, highlighting the PA Preferred Brews program and the economic impact of the industry as a whole. During the event, Deputy Secretary Cheryl Cook joined guests at Broad Street Market to promote local craft beer and encourage participation in PA Preferred.
“The beer industry in Pennsylvania represents both an achievement and an opportunity,” said Deputy Secretary Cook. “While we are proud to be among the nation’s leaders in terms of beer production, we know that we can reach even greater heights. By encouraging more local hops production, enabling more future brewers and engaging more Pennsylvania businesses, we can enshrine the commonwealth’s designation as the nation’s premier beer producer.”
Ten PA Preferred Brews have signed on to the PA Preferred Brews program since its inception last fall. The beers are made using a majority of locally grown ingredients, sourcing hops and grain from Pennsylvania farms. The state ranks first in the nation for barrels of craft beer produced — at 3.9 million barrels per year — creating more than 60,000 jobs and $2.2 billion in wages and benefits. A report from the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee found that the industry makes a $1.1 billion impact on the state’s economy.
PA Preferred beers must be brewed in Pennsylvania; brewed in compliance with all applicable state and federal quality, sanitation, safety, and labeling standards; and produced using Pennsylvania agricultural commodities (hops, grain, etc.) to the extent available given market availability and production season restrictions.
More than 2,000 Pennsylvania retailers, producers, and processors participate in the PA Preferred Program, using the trademarked PA Preferred logo to help market their Pennsylvania-produced products.
Growing Pennsylvania’s agriculture sector, including its brewed beverage industry, is a strategic priority for Gov. Tom Wolf. In 2016, Gov. Wolf signed historic reforms to modernize the sale of liquor and beer, including the ability to sell six-packs of beer at gas stations. Act 39 of 2016 also created the Pennsylvania Malt and Brewed Beverages Industry Promotion Board and authorized the Liquor Control Board to approve up to $1 million annually for development and marketing of the Pennsylvania beer industry.
For more information about the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s programs and services, or to read the state’s Agriculture Economic Impact Study, visit the department’s website at agriculture.pa.gov.
— Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture