Two microbreweries to open this month
They will join three such breweries already in operation in county.
Two microbreweries MASON — are planning to open this month in Warren County.
The Common Beer Co. and Sonder Brewing plan to open this month in the Mason-Deerfield Twp. area.
They would join three microbreweries in operation: Crooked Handle, 760 N. Main St. in Springboro; Cellar Dweller, 2276 U.S. 22 in Hamilton Twp.; and 16 Lots Brewing, 753 Reading Road in Mason.
“As of about an hour ago, we passed the health inspection, which is the last step,” Mark Lortz, minority owner at Common Beer, said Friday.
Common Beer is expected to open at 126 E. Main St. in Mason within the next week, Lortz said. The grand opening is set for Oct. 12.
“The company has an A-1c permit that will go into effect on Oct. 1, 2018,” Lindsey LeBerth, brand manager for the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Liquor Control, said in an email.
That A-1c permit allows production of up to 31 million gallons per year wherever produced, for sale on premises at retail for on-premises consumption, and to sell beer products to retail and wholesale permit holders.
Common Beer will be able to serve beer “and any intoxicating liquor by the glass or container” on premises until 2:30 a.m., according to the state agency.
Common Beer is to serve about six beers, brewed in the building “catty corner” from the Wildflower Cafe, a popular restaurant on the north edge of Mason’s old downtown, according to Lortz.
“We really want to identify with Mason, Ohio,” Lortz said. “We are going to serve everything on our taps.”
Lortz, a software consultant, said he will own the microbrewery, his first small business, with majority owner and wife, Amy Lortz.
The couple lives “less than
continued from B1 a mile as the crow flies” from the brewery and has no plans for expansion, Lortz said.
“We want to stay small. We want to stay local,” he said. “We’re not going to be distributing.”
Sonder Brewing Co. announced plans to open at 8584 Duke Blvd., Deerfield Twp., on Oct. 27.
Sonder applied for three permits related to producing and distributing beer on Feb. 27, and the A2 permit for wine on Sept. 21, according to LeBerth.
Last week, Sonder applied for a permit to also manufacture wine, according to the state Division of Liquor Control.
“All four are pending,” LeBerth added, while background checks are being completed.
Jason Neff of Sonder said the business was “at least pursuing” the wine license permitting it to produce ciders, including some lowor gluten-free varietals.