Bylaw changes could pave way for micro breweries

Distillers, beer-makers would be able to locate in commercial districts

A slight tweak to the city’s land-use rules around microbreweries and distilleries, could spur job growth and quench the thirst of Calgary’s more discriminating beer crowd.

In a report headed to council Monday, administration recommends elected officials approve a new land-use definition — “brewery, winery and distillery” — allowing manufacturers to open and operate as a discretionary use in most commercial and industrial zones.

The new wording would accommodate a“range of sizes and formats of breweries” and could foster the craft beverage industry in Calgary, as well as tourism and local employment, according to the report.

While Calgary is home to several craft brewers, the number pales in comparison to cities like Vancouver and Portland, Oregon, which have 50 to 80 microbreweries and distilleries, respectively, the report adds.

Brad McCarty, general manager of Calgary Brewery Tours, said the bylaw change could trigger an explosion in new breweries and force existing players and new entrants to be more innovative, will benefit consumers and diversify the local economy.

“Calgary’s definitely in a big transition and very much in a spot where we have to diversify the economy,” said McCarty. “What better way to do that than giving people an easier opportunity to start up a brewery.

“We can’t be so energy thick otherwise we’re going to be finding ourselves in the same situation in another 10 years from now,” he added.

In 2013, the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission eliminated its minimum production capacity requirements of 500,000 litres for booze makers in the province. Until then, most breweries were industrial scale. But the change opened the door to smaller, fledgling brewers and distillers who didn’t have to meet such high volume output from the get go.

“Due to the new ability to brew small amounts of beer, there has also been interest to establish small breweries in the smaller spaces that are found in commercial districts and buildings,” says the city report.

The amendment would allow brewers and distillers to offer site tours and “on-premise consumption of beverages” and retail sales. Brew pubs would be excluded from the definition.

“There’s been a pent-up interest in this for years, so I’m glad to see some adjustments to reflect current thirsts,” said Coun. Druh Farrell.

“I don’t see any negative impacts and I don’t see it impacting neighbourhoods. You won’t be doing this in your garage.”