Rep. Vail’s cider-making concept heads to governor’s desk

HARTFORD — A proposal introduced by Rep. Kurt Vail extending state liquor laws to Connecticut’s cider manufacturing industry passed the House of Representatives Monday as part of a larger legislative package.

Vail’s concept allows cider manufacturers the same onsite free sampling benefits given to beer and winemakers. Current law allows beer and wine manufacturers to provide tastings of free samples of their products brewed on the premises, along with selling bottles outside of their property – but not cider makers.

After being approved on May 6 by the Senate, the bill including Vail’s proposal heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

“As a growing industry, cider manufacturing needs to have the same legal safeguards as its counterparts in the local winery and local brewery industries,” Vail said. “This bill provides those protections and it will allow small, locally-run businesses to compete and to thrive in our state. Locally-made products drive towns’ economic development, they provide jobs and encourage Yankee ingenuity and entrepreneurship.”

Daniel Tomlin, a Stafford resident and one of Vail’s constituents, brought the issue to light earlier this year. In his testimony to lawmakers, Tomlin said updating state statutes for cider manufacturers “will support local agriculture and local tourism with the creation of cideries, similar to what [the state’s] wineries have to offer.”