Hein, left, with Economic Development director Suzanne Holt and
Charles Ferri of Star Vodka
KINGSTON – It’s not often you find Ulster County Executive Michael Hein hanging around Keegan Ales during business hours.
The popular brewery and bar in Midtown Kingston Thursday afternoon hosted the worldwide premier of Ulster County’s new Craft Beverage Tourism video.
Hein said that tourism revenue is up 20 percent since 2010, to $514 million a year, an increase of $87 million. “It’s absolutely extraordinary,” Hein said, noting homegrown beverage producers provide a significant draw to local tourism.
Recently Star Vodka of Bend Oregon purchased the Christian Brothers property along the Hudson River waterfront in the Town of Esopus, raising the number of small beverage startups in Ulster County to 27.
“Twelve years ago, when I started this company, I was the only guy in town,” said Tom Keegan, a pioneer brewer. “Now they’re popping up like crazy.”
Combined with the agriculture sector, craft beverage businesses including breweries, wineries, distilleries, and cider makers contribute to a $1 billion annual hunk of the local economy. And statewide, the overall impact is $27 billion per year, Hein added.
“We’re here to make sure that this portion of our economy is not a best kept secret anymore,” Hein said. “We’re very excited about what it means; we’re talking about attracting people from the 22 million individuals who live in the metro New York area.”
Hein said the county’s craft beverage industry creates “a world class destination for individuals looking for this type of incredible, wonderful opportunity, and it’s going to grow.”
See the Taste of Craft Beverages – Ulster County video here:
