Plans for a microbrewery in St. Jacobs edged ahead this week when Woolwich council passed a resolution needed for the venture’s liquor licence.
Block Three Brewing Co. would operate from 1430 King St. N., unit 2.
The resolution approved Tuesday night will be forwarded to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario in support of the company’s application for a manufacturer’s limited liquor sales licence – also known as a by-the-glass licence, needed to sell single-servings of the product on the premises.
Phil Hipkiss, one of the partners in the business, told councillors he’s shooing to be open in time for the Canada Day long weekend, admitting it’s “a bit of a lofty goal” given the work yet to be done.
The idea for a microbrewery came out of his involvement with a local beer club, he explained. The name Block Three Brewing Co. has historical significance. In 1798, one of the earliest settlers in the area, William Wallace, was deeded 86,000 acres of land on the Grand River for $16,364. Known as Block Three of Indian Lands, the land made up a large part of what is now Woolwich Township. And the name rolls off the tongue a bit easier than Jakobstettel, another historical name from the past, he added with a laugh.
Councillors quickly endorsed a recommendation brought to the table by director of council and information services Christine Broughton.
“Welcome to St. Jacobs,” said Coun. Mark Bauman.
