By Keith Regan, Contributing Writer
Westborough – Selectmen March 10 voted to establish a $500 annual fee for a farmer brewer’s license, the first step toward a new local business establishing the ability to pour samples and sell takeaway bottles of its own brew.
Town Manager Jim Malloy told the board that a planned microbrewery at 108 Milk St. – a small shopping plaza on Route 135 that is home to Robinson Music – required the town to research how other communities handle specialized farmer brewer’s licenses.
Cold Harbor Brewing Company came forward last fall with plans to open a 2,300-square-foot brewery on the property, maintaining it would brew beers with locally sourced ingredients, which is required to qualify for the license.
Malloy said establishing the fee would enable the process to begin and that $500 is what the town of Sturbridge charges.
Before the brewery can begin sampling or selling, Westborough would still have to issue the license and it would also be subject to review by the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABCC).
The proposal sparked some questions and concern from selectmen. Chair George Barrette voted against approving the fee. Selectman Lydia Goldblatt raised the issue of fairness, noting that the town’s other liquor license holders pay more than double the new fee amount for the right to sell booze in bottles.
But Malloy said the difference is scale: The brewery will be permitted to offer small samples to customers, who can then also purchase for takeaway in half-gallon or quart-sized glass bottles known as growlers.
“The volume would be much lower than in any other licensed store in town,” he said, adding that sample pourers would be required to have TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures) certification, as all license holders are, and that similar temporary licenses have been provided for wineries that sell at the town’s farmer’s market in the summer months.
On its Facebook page, Cold Harbor Brewing estimates it will open for business sometime in March or April.
