Brewing beer can be big business. In New York State, the brewing industry supports almost 60,000 jobs. It's also a growing industry and local brewers are hoping to tap into a tax break supported by Senator Charles Schumer and legislators from both parties.

The Cortland Beer Company just opened its doors last year and its seven craft beers are quickly gaining in popularity. Several local bars serve the its beer but brewing equipment isn't cheap and brewer Dan Cleary says the proposed 50% cut on excise tax for small breweries could save him $3500 a year.

"Anytime we keep a little cash in the local area, in the business, it's definitely a help and this is definitely one of those bills that could do that," said Cleary.

Brewers pay an excise tax on every barrel of beer they make. At Empire Brewing Company in Syracuse, the proposed bill would cut the excise tax they pay by tens of thousands of dollars. That is money they want to use for new employees, equipment and a local micro brewing facility that would brew up thousands more barrels of their award winning beers.

"We've seen a 30% growth here each year and we hopefully will see that or greater once we have the microbrewery in place," said Empire Brewing Company founder David Katleski.

Local brewers say cutting the tax helps growing small businesses keep the doors open and taps flowing.

"Financially it's the best news of the year so far. To cut that tax would just be an instant savings," said Cleary "We couldn't ask for anything better than that up front."

The proposed legislation wouldn't just help small breweries. Large breweries like Anheuser Busch in Baldwinsville would see the excise tax on every barrel cut by two dollars.