USA, OH: Ohio licenses 579 alcohol manufacturers this year

According to the Ohio Division of Liquor Control, the state has licensed 579 alcohol manufacturers — more than double the number of licenses from just five years ago, Columbus Business First reported on November 30.

The biggest chunk of that is wineries, with 232 licenses around the state.

Craft breweries come next with 156, though it should be noted that licenses don’t always equate to single producers since some companies hold multiple licenses, such as Elevator Brewing Co., Four String Brewing Co. and North High Brewing Co., each of which brews at more than one site.

Microdistilleries now number 31 in Ohio based on licenses.

The state agency also said it has approved 29 new craft brewery licenses this year, plus 21 new wineries and four new microdistilleries.

The boom is attributable to changes in state laws several years back. For breweries, the state in 2011 lowered initial license fees and made it easier to open on-site taprooms.

Craft distilling, meanwhile, essentially was capped at only three licenses in the state due to a convoluted law. Some of those limitations also were eased in late 2011 freeing that industry to grow.

Now that both industries are showing their growth, both are hoping for additional legislative changes to improve business.

Brewers still hold out hope that the state will raise the current 12 percent cap on alcohol by volume in beer. Ohio is one of the few states with a limit and it is lower than several of the other states with caps. Beers above that level are a miniscule part of the market in terms of sales and production, but often are highly sought, attention-grabbing products that help build a brand’s reputation.

Craft distillers also are pushing for some additional changes. They testified this month in support of House Bill 351, which would allow them to maintain an on-site bottle shop as long as annual production is under 200,000 gallons. That’s an increase from the current 10,000 gallon limit. It also would permit distilleries to serve food and full drinks, not just quarter-ounce samples, essentially allowing distilleries to operate like a brewery or winery.

02 December, 2015