Augusta votes to allow breweries, distilleries

City council OKs small operations in unanimous vote.

The Augusta Commission ushered in a new era this week for small brewers and distillers who want to do business in the city.

By a 10-0 vote, the commission agreed to amend the city planning code to allow small “nano-” and “pico-” brewers and distillers to operate in business zones such as downtown Augusta. At Commissioner Sean Frantom’s request, the commission voted to waive the second reading, which is a second vote typically required at a later date.

“It’s the first step towards making downtown Augusta more vibrant,” Frantom said. “Exciting times are ahead in downtown Augusta.”

The vote took only a few minutes but followed months of work by the city planning commission, which studied the issue extensively. The existing code considered brewing and distilling at any level an industrial activity, and Augusta’s two existing microbreweries had to locate in industrial zones.

Commissioner Bill Fennoy said downtown property owners were supportive but concerned about the odor and waste produced by brewing and distilling alcohol, and asked if the facilities will create “an odor issue in downtown Augusta.”

Planning Director Melanie Wilson said downtown infrastructure can support the facilities, which require state inspections and will produce little odor.

“The smell for a nano or pico brewery is very, very minimal,” Wilson said.

A nano brewery can make up to 3,000 barrels of beer per year, or almost one million 12-ounce bottles. A pico brewery can make up to 500 bottles under the city’s definitions. Neither type includes a food component, but brewpubs can already legally brew 10,000 barrels per year if half their revenue comes from food sales.