ONEONTA, 12/05/12 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today marked “Repeal Day” by visiting the under-construction Roots Brewing Company in Oneonta.

“Repeal Day” commemorates the passage of the Twenty-First Amendment to the United States Constitution on December 5th, 1933 ending prohibition.

“New York’s craft brewing industry is expanding statewide, with several growing breweries locally,” said Senator Seward.  "Microbreweries and brewpubs, like Roots, meld together small business and agriculture while also expanding on the tourist trade - all mainstays of our local economy.”

In 2012 the senate passed several measures, later signed into law by Governor Cuomo, to help the craft brewing industry grow in New York.  The legislation protects an important tax benefit for small breweries, creates a Farm Brewery license allowing craft brewers to expand through opening restaurants or selling new products, and exempts breweries that produce small batches of beer from paying an annual State Liquor Authority fee.

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Photo caption:  Senator Seward, right, joins brewmaster Jason Parrish for a tour of Roots Brewing Company, under construction on Main Street in Oneonta.