Adirondack Adult Beverages

            The American Craft Beer revolution over the past several decades has shifted the focus away from big beer companies towards small family owned microbreweries.  The emergence of microbreweries has lead to innovation in taste, style, type, and overall beer drinking experience.  The development of a beer’s story along with its brewery and the surrounding area has become a quintessential part of beer drinker’s decision process when choosing what to drink.  The introduction of grass roots activism and education to beer marketing has revitalized the industry and created tourism destinations in areas such as the Adirondacks (craftbeer.com).  Similar to how sportsmen and the tourism boom in the early 20^th century stimulated the economy of the Adirondacks, craft breweries are creating another layer of attraction.

             Aside from the influx of tourism revenue, microbreweries are a very good source for jobs in areas of need.  Scott Metzger, a professor of economics at the University of Texas, attributes the job supply to the labor inefficiencies of craft breweries.  The need for more labor for low production levels makes craft breweries a good aid to economies with high unemployment (brewbound.com).  Local economies often rely on cash, grants, and tax abatements to incentivize breweries to set up shop in their area (brewbound.com).

            Amidst the craft brewery craze it is pretty obvious why the Adirondacks would stand out as a prime location for breweries to succeed.  After enjoying a day exploring the scenic wilderness, hunting, or coming off of the slopes the breweries provide a place to have a good meal and take in the tastes of the Adirondacks.  Many breweries take great pride in supporting local business and make efforts to locally source all ingredients and materials that go in to brewing, bottling, and packaging.  A recent study by New York State has found that the craft beverage industry has brought in $450 million in tourism dollars, $277 million in revenue, and $748 million in state and local taxes (adkcraftbev.com).  The small businesses of the craft beverage industry have clearly made a positive impact on the economy of New York state.

            For those who like to skip the recreation and get right to the good part here is an option to base your day around tasting all of the beer, wine, and small batch liquors the Adirondacks have to offer.  After noticing the increasing amount of local breweries, wineries, and distilleries popping up in the region a couple decided to find a way to create a network and connect all of the great destinations.  They renovated a bus and now run the Hoppy Trails Brew Bus Company that tours all 14 breweries, distilleries, and wineries in the area (hoppytrailsbrewbus.com).

            The Adirondack Chamber of Commerce has recognized the opportunity created by the popularity of boutique style adult beverage distributors.  In an effort to facilitate tourism the Chamber of Commerce has developed the Adirondack Craft Beverage Trail.  Available in app form at the App Store the app serves as a unique platform for beverage enthusiasts to view the “trail map”, read about the destinations, and even share there own experiences along the trail.  The app incentivizes visitors by offering awards for the collecting of badges from every destination in the region.  Efforts like this prove that the craft beverage industry has come along way and will continue to expand in the Adirondack region.  The emergence of the craft brewing industry is another chapter in the ever-changing history of the Adirondack economy.

Sources:

http://www.brewbound.com/news/craft-beers-impact-on-local-economy-discussed

http://hoppytrailsbrewbus.com/

http://www.craftbeer.com/the-beverage/history-of-beer/the-revival

http://adkcraftbev.com

Photos:

adkcraftbev.com

Instagram @hoppytrailsbb