Universities, associations, tourist information centers receive grant funding to promote state beers, wines

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) approved nearly $2 million in grants for 15 projects meant to promote, market and research Pennsylvania-made beers and wines. 

The seven beer projects to receive grants in the announcement were funded by the Pennsylvania Malt and Brewed Beverages Industry Promotion Board, which is authorized by the PLCB to approve up to $1 million annually for development and marketing of the state’s beer industry. 

Eight wine research and promotion projects also received funds from a $1 million grant pool through the Pennsylvania Wine Marketing and Research Board. 

“Pennsylvania industries have to adopt new ways of doing business in the COVID-19 world, and these grants will provide substantial funding to help two vital parts of our agricultural community not only explore ways of improving production methods, but also boost marketing efforts that reach beyond our borders,” said Governor Tom Wolf. 

Harrisburg-based boutique cinema production house, GK Visual, was awarded $498,000 in grant funding to produce 12 episodes of its award-winning web series as well as produce 1-to-2-minute promotional videos for up to 400 Pennsylvania breweries. 

The Pennsylvania Winery Association, also based in Harrisburg, was awarded $531,220 to engage the public and provide valuable support to the wine industry. It plans to partner with PA Media Group and Momentum Digital on the project to attract new visitors to wineries and tasting rooms and raise the visibility and reach of Pennsylvania’s wines. 

Other organizations and their beer and wine related projects include: 

Visit Pennsylvania, $150,000, to support promotion of the greater Philadelphia region’s craft breweries. 

Penn State University, $94,341, to explore effective ways to preserve beer quality after packaging and during storage. 

Penn State University, $78,603, to study hop pelletization in a Pennsylvania hop yard. 

Temple University, $45,000, to work with the PLCB to identify and implement strategies to allow the state’s beer and malt beverage industry to emerge from the pandemic. 

Visit Luzerne County, $40,500, to promote Luzerne County’s ten local breweries through a beer trail guide. 

PA Cider Guild, $37,750, to increase awareness of local cider and craft beverages through a PA Cider Trail guide. 

Penn State University, $108,161, to study spotted lanternfly economic thresholds and impacts on cabernet franc. 

Penn State University, $88,747, to apply a novel oxygenation technique that would allow wineries to improve wine color and quality as an alternative to barrel aging. 

Penn State University, $79,310, to study herbicide use, drift and damage on grapevines. 

Penn State University, $74,003, to better understand how winter and spring temperatures effect grape production. 

Penn State University, $57,192, to determine the economic and longevity impact of grapevine leaf roll disease. 

Penn State University, $42,492, to explore a novel vertical and lateral shoot positioning apparatus to improve fruit composition and decrease the bunch rot of wine grapes.