HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-15-028 - Together We're Bitter CoOperative Brewing
REPORT TO: Council – Committee of the Whole
DATE OF MEETING: October 5, 2015
SUBMITTED BY: Rod Regier, Executive Director, Economic Dev., 519-741-2200 x 7506
PREPARED BY: Brian Bennett, Manager Business Development 519-741-2200 x 7230
WARD (S) INVOLVED: Ward 9
DATE OF REPORT: September 23, 2015
REPORT NO.: CAO-15-028
SUBJECT:
Together We’re Bitter Co-operative Brewing Inc.
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RECOMMENDATION:
That the City of Kitchener supports the Manufacturer’s Limited Liquor Sales License
application from . to sell and serve beer
Together We’re Bitter Co-operative Brewing Inc
for consumption by patrons at its manufacturing site located at 300 Mill Street, Unit 1
Kitchener, Ontario.
BACKGROUND:
Together We’re Bitter Co-operative Brewing Inc. at 300 Mill Street, Unit 1 Kitchener, is a new
micro brewery looking to open on Mill Street, Kitchener. Subject to approval from AGCO, they
plan to open December 2015 starting with 6 employees and, depending on sales, 12-15
additional employees within a year.
REPORT:
A Manufacturer’s Limited Liquor Sales License, also known as the “By the Glass” license,
allows Ontario breweries to sell and serve samples of beer in a tasting room. This license puts
tight restrictions on how much beer can be served (12oz) to a customer and the hours of
operation – the tasting room must close by 9pm.
Given the nature of restrictions placed on a Manufacturer’s Liquor Sales License, “By the
Glass” applicants are exempted from the public advertising process. In order to operate a
tasting room, and because of the public process exemption, the Alcohol Gaming Commission
of Ontario (AGCO) requires applicants to provide a resolution of City Council indicating the
support of the community.
New micro-breweries (commonly referred to as “Craft Breweries”), is a rapidly growing industry
across Ontario, with a number of breweries already operating in the region, such as Block 3
and Grand River Brewing. It is common for these types of establishments to offer tasting
rooms as a means of allowing customers to sample the different kinds of beer before they
buy. The tasting rooms are intended for educational and sampling purposes, and do not to
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
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function as a bar or pub. The property in question is appropriately zoned to allow for the
proposed use, and is in a location that should not result in negative impacts on the surrounding
area. As such, staff recommend supporting the proposed application for a tasting room.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Supporting the proposed application enables a growing industry, and supports the City’s
strategic priority of “A Strong & Resilient Economy”.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
N/A
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, CAO
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