A cheer at the press conference for the new program last week.
Credit: PA Internet News Service
The governor announced a new branding initiative designed to set apart beers brewed in Pennsylvania and with in-state grown and processed commodities.
The program builds upon the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s “PA Preferred.” The new addition is intended to support the beer and brewing industries in the state, according to Gov. Tom Wolf’s office.
“Brewing beer is a $5.8 billion industry in Pennsylvania, and it’s an industry that is growing rapidly,” said Wolf. “Recognizing the tremendous opportunities that exist in this industry to create jobs from the farm all the way to the brewery, pub or grocery store, we’ve worked on a bipartisan basis to modernize our beer laws and provide new support for this industry that is helping to open up doors to rapid expansion.”
There are more than 300 licensed breweries in Pennsylvania and the state creates 3.9 million barrels of craft beer every year, ranking it number one in the nation, according to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and the brewers’ association.
“This new branding program is another way my administration is working to promote the state’s brewers and the quality products they’re putting out into an increasingly competitive marketplace,” added Wolf. “The new PA Preferred Brews brand is one way breweries based in Pennsylvania can differentiate themselves and draw the attention of consumers who are interested in buying local.”
Lower Bucks County is home to a number of craft breweries, including Broken Goblet in Bristol Township, Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company in Croydon, Vault Brewing in Yardley with more on the way.
In order to bear the trademark designating a beer as a “PA Preferred” brew, a brewery must follow three guidelines while applying for the mark:
“One, the beer should be brewed in Pennsylvania; two, the beer should be brewed in compliance with all applicable state and federal quality, sanitation, safety and labeling standards; and three, the beer should be produced from Pennsylvania agricultural commodities including hops and grains to the extent these are available given market availability and production season restrictions. The logo and the title should only be used on products that currently contain Pennsylvania-grown hops and malt,” state officials said in a statement.
“We will absolutely be participating in this initiative,” said Tim Shaw, one of the owners working to bring Odd Logic Brewing to Bristol Borough. “Before this announcement, it was already our mission to use locally sourced ingredients in the majority of our brews, as well as our food items.”
“Partnering with local farms for grains, hops and more is beneficial for everyone in terms of us producing and providing the freshest ingredients possible while also impacting our great state economically. Real change begins at the grassroots,” Shaw said before commending Wolf’s efforts to progress liquor laws and the related industries in the state.
When asked if they would be participating in the branding effort, Neshaminy Creek Brewing’s head brewer, Jeremy Myers said that the initiative would not be a focus for them at the moment.
