USA: Governor of Ithaca, New York, allows brewers to give drinks free samples to those 21 and under

Another bill signed by Ithaca Governor George Pataki that takes effect next month will allow breweries to dole out free samples of their product to those 21 and older — but in a limited amount, The Ithaca Journal posted August 22.

Breweries can offer taste tests at the state fair and retail outlets of six ounces (three ounces at a time) of beer, less than half of a standard bottle size. Beer makers must obtain a three-day, US$20 permit from the State Liquor Authority before handing out the free suds.

Breweries are allowed to offer free samples of two ounces or less during factory tours.

The beer industry has grown in the state in the last decade, with 120 licensed breweries, according to lawmakers. Many of them are small businesses with regional name recognition whose owners hope the new law will generate some interest in their product.

“We have certain disadvantages because we're so small,” said Dan Mitchell, president of Ithaca Beer Company. “If there's some chance that we can get out there and show our wares we have some chance of surviving.”

Mitchell's eight-year-old company makes six different brands of beer and produces about 6,000 barrels a year. That's compared to the 250,000 barrels produced by Utica-based Matt Brewing Company.

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