Grab a frozen pint! New York legalizes sale of beer and hard cider ice cream

Will Cleveland | Democrat and Chronicle

Show Caption Hide Caption Farm Brewery license reinvents state agriculture, craft beer New York state now has 354 breweries, 156 of which are farm breweries. The Farm Brewery license has led to a beer renaissance in New York. (Aug. 16, 2017)

Beer and ice cream can be perfect summer treats. (But let's be serious, they can be enjoyed at any time of year.)

A bill signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo Tuesday will allow New Yorkers to combine them. Cuomo signed legislation to allow beer- or hard cider-infused ice cream. Wine ice cream has been legal in New York since 2008.

The law limits the percentage of alcohol in ice cream and other frozen desserts to no more than 5 percent alcohol by volume. It also prohibits the sale to people under the age of 21. And finally, the law requires a label that indicates the product contains alcohol.

The state Senate and Assembly passed the legislation last month. It was sponsored by state Sen. James Seward, R-Milford, Otsego County.

“Both the dairy and craft beer/cider industries are key contributors to our agriculture economy," Seward said in a release. "By combining the two, we are able to capitalize on homegrown New York ingredients with the creation of a cool new, innovative product.”

WCLEVELAND@Gannett.com

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