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State Boosts Use Of Local Ingredients By Beer Brewers

BOSTON (AP) -- Massachusetts beer brewers are getting an $11,000 boost from the federal government.

The grant received by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will help beer makers and farmers by increasing the use of local ingredients by craft brewers.

State officials will examine demand, coordinate educational sessions and promote the use of ingredients grown on Massachusetts farms.

Commissioner Scott Soares says the ingredients go well beyond barley and hops, but could include cranberries, pumpkins, honey, maple syrup, herbs and even oysters.

State alcohol regulators last month backed off a proposed rules change that would have required brewers to grow half their own ingredients or buy them from state sources.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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