PA Department of Agriculture Grant Award News Release

October 2024

Huntingdon Valley, PA – October 3, 2024, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced $516,894 in nine research and marketing grants to boost sales, production, and quality of Pennsylvania craft beer and malt beverages.

“Over the past decade, Pennsylvania has grown from 88 craft breweries to 530,” said Secretary Redding. “Pennsylvania’s craft breweries feature not only local flavors, and the imagination and craftsmanship of expert brewmasters, but unique opportunities to experience local culture across our beautiful state. That small-business ingenuity and vision is why we are a national leader, and why the Shapiro Administration is investing in keeping Pennsylvania agriculture at the top.”

Pennsylvania ranks second in the nation in the economic impact generated by its craft breweries at $5.474 billion in 2023. Producing 3,132,799 barrels a year, the state also ranks second nationally in volume, and third in the number of craft breweries, with 530.

Governor Josh Shapiro’s economic development strategy focuses on agriculture and manufacturing as key to Pennsylvania’s future success. Since taking office, the Shapiro Administration has secured over $2 billion in private sector investments to reignite the Commonwealth’s economy, spur innovation, and create jobs and economic opportunity for all Pennsylvanians.

The PA Department of Agriculture’s Malt and Brewed Beverage Board selected the following project (among others) for funding through the PA Liquor Control Board.

Double Eagle Malt, LLC – $95,352

Agricultural marketing research campaign for Pennsylvania malt and brewed beverages – Core market research on consumer and brewer perceptions of local ingredients in Pennsylvania brewed beverages. Conclusions of the study should put to rest questions about whether consumers care about the ingredients in their beer and whether they would be willing to pay more for beer brewed with locally grown grain.

Double Eagle partner Alan Gladish said, “We’ve been hearing from many brewers for years that they are skeptical that consumers care about the ingredients in beer. But we know that in states and regions where consumers are educated about ingredients, they definitely care and are willing to pay a little more for locally grown malt. For those brewers who do a consistent job featuring the local messaging, the margin opportunities are compelling. We believe this study will confirm our anecdotal experiences and give Pennsylvania craft brewers another tool to differentiate and succeed.

We will be partnering with a specialty food and beverage marketing communications firm to conduct the surveys, starting in January 2025.”