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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-16-010 - Descendants Beer & Beverage CoKjTC' - F,_Ni, Staff Report CA0 Office www.kitchener ca REPORT TO: Council — Committee of the Whole DATE OF MEETING: March 21, 2016 SUBMITTED BY: Brian Bennett, Manager Business Development 519 - 741 -2200 x7230 PREPARED BY: Cory Bluhm, Manager Downtown Development 519 - 741 -2200 x7065 WARD (S) INVOLVED: Ward 10 DATE OF REPORT: March 15, 2016 REPORT NO.: CAO -16 -010 SUBJECT: Descendants Beer & Beverage Co. RECOMMENDATION: That the City of Kitchener supports the Manufacturer's Limited Liquor Sales License application from Descendants Beer & Beverage Co. to sell and serve beer for consumption by patrons at its manufacturing site located at 319 Victoria Street North, Kitchener, Ontario. BACKGROUND: Descendants Beer & Beverage Co. at 319 Victoria St.N., Kitchener, is a new micro - brewery looking to open on Victoria Street North, Kitchener that will include a 15 hectolitre brew house, tasting room and retail store. Subject to approval from AGCO, they plan to open April 15, 2016 starting with 8 employees, and depending on sales, 10 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 Together We're Bitter (TWB), 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 * ** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. * ** Please call 519- 741 -2345 or TTY 1- 866 - 969 -9994 for assistance. 2- 1 purposes, and do not 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 ". COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INFORM — This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in advance of the council /committee meeting. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: N/A ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, CAO 2- 2 I 0) ;V- 1-0 J SFr 1 12, m I :7� ........... CV 5_4 "o z > cu R C, 0 CL o LO 2 CL aj CO < WI) .2 U E IZ 7— C" R, Z4 CV 5_4