City of Powell River council recently passed a motion to advise BC Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) that local government does not object to Townsite Brewing’s application for an endorsement to its manufacturer’s licence to operate a 10-seat, on-site lounge. As part of this decision, the city will not exercise its option to hold a public consultation with area residents.
This does not mean there will be no consultation, as LCLB policy dictates it will conduct its own consultation as it sees fit.
The council motion passed 5-1, with councillor Jim Palm opposing while voicing strong opposition based on the idea of the brewery creating competition for existing Townsite businesses already selling alcohol and food.
For the record, Townsite Brewing submitted seven letters of support from Townsite businesses, including several neighbours in the business of selling alcohol and food.
The brewery is not applying for a new licence to run a bar. It is simply seeking to add an endorsement to its existing licence, which currently limits the selling of beer on-site to 12 ounces per consumer, per day for on-site consumption.
Despite the limit, Townsite Brewing is allowed to offer samples, as long as Serving It Right regulations are complied with.
Quite simply, a lounge endorsement allows the brewery to sell more than 12 ounces of beer per day to a consumer, for on-site consumption, nothing more.
I am thrilled the majority of council do not object to this application and actually understood the process. I have seen firsthand the positive economic impact these lounges have had in communities that have embraced them.
Brewery lounges draw a specific crowd of people who are ready, willing and able to spend cash on beer they love. Businesses around brewery lounges have benefited from increased traffic brought by craft-beer lovers drawn to the lounges.
Beer tourism is a growing phenomenon, drawing beer tourists from near and far. Powell River is situated on a well-established route known as “The Ale Trail,” which has been written about by many media outlets and craft-beer-oriented publications.
If a neighbouring business features craft beer and feels threatened by a 10-seat lounge, I would suggest they find a way to draw these people into their establishments. I am sure the brewery won’t mind, as they are in the business of selling beer, whether from its own tasting lounge or a neighbouring establishment.
If a business is not craft-beer oriented, they have nothing to fear as consumers drawn to the lounge will not frequent restaurants or bars that do not feature craft beer, plain and simple.
Bravo to council for looking to the future. If this endorsement is approved by LCLB, it will help rejuvenate and re-energize an area desperately trying to reinvent itself and will further solidify Powell River on the craft-beer-tourism map.
Paddy Treavor is president of the Powell River branch of Campaign for Real Ale Society of BC, and sits on the provincial executive of the society.
