New York Craft Beverage Micro Grant Program
Empire State Development (ESD)
$25,000–$50,000
Equipment grants for NY craft beverage
The New York Craft Beverage Micro Grant Program, administered by Empire State Development, provides matching grants of up to $50,000 to licensed New York craft beverage producers — wineries, breweries, distilleries, cideries, and meaderies — to increase production capacity, business infrastructure, and profitability. Funds support new equipment purchases, facility expansion, and infrastructure upgrades. It is structured as a 50/50 matching grant: the applicant must match the grant amount and inject at least 10% of total project cost as cash equity. Eligibility is tied to holding an active New York State Liquor Authority manufacturing license (specific license classes are enumerated in the program guidelines), with active production on the licensed premises. The program is administered through the NYS Consolidated Funding Application and ESD regional offices.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $25,000 – $50,000
- Realistic amount
- Awards run up to $50,000; the realistic amount depends on project size and the applicant's r…
- Deadline
- Periodic rounds via the NYS Consolidated Funding Application (CFA)
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- New York
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- Licensed by the NYS Liquor Authority to manufacture beverage alcohol in New York State
- Eligible license classes: wineries (DW 301, FW 302, MW 307), breweries (D 101, MI 101, FD 106, MR 210), distilleries (DA 201/206, DB 202/205, DC 204, DD 207), cideries (CD 304, CF 309), meaderies (MD 312, FY 313)
- Active production on the licensed premises
- Able to provide a 50% cash match of the grant amount
- Able to inject at least 10% of total project cost as cash equity (no borrowed funds or government grants)
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- New equipment purchases
- Facility/infrastructure expansion
- Upgrades to existing equipment or facilities
Ineligible expenses
- Operating expenses unrelated to capital equipment/facilities
- Costs covered by borrowed funds or other government grants used to satisfy the equity requirement
How to apply
-
1
Confirm license eligibility
Verify your NYS Liquor Authority manufacturing license class is on the eligible list and that you have active production on premises.
~0.5 hrs
-
2
Scope the project and match
Define the equipment/facility project, total cost, your 50% match, and your 10% cash equity. Gather quotes and financials.
~3 hrs
-
3
Apply via the Consolidated Funding Application
Submit through the NYS CFA portal (or coordinate with your ESD regional office). Attach project budget, quotes, and license documentation.
~4 hrs
Line up your 10% cash equity before applying — it must be cash, not borrowed funds or other government grants, and missing this is a common disqualifier. Get firm equipment quotes so your project budget and match math are airtight in the CFA submission.
Deadline & timing
Offered through the NYS Consolidated Funding Application; rounds open periodically. Confirm the current round and deadline with Empire State Development or your ESD regional office.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.