Canada, ON: Square Brew Inc. looks to open in Goderich

Wetting one’s whistle may become a little more convenient in Goderich as a new craft brewery looks to open shop here in the near future, Goderich Signal Star reported on November 10.

Alex Menary, president of Square Brew Inc., told council Oct. 24 that he is looking to open his brewery at 430 Parsons Court with a retail store and tasting room.

However, in order for Square Brew to serve 355 ml glasses of beer at the site, it needs a Manufacturer’s Limited Liquor Sales License. And as part of the application process to the Alcohol and gaming Commission of Ontario, an approval letter is required from the municipality.

“The license that we’ve applied for allows us to sell 12 ounce glasses of the beer that we make. We can only sell our beer. We can’t sell other brewery’s beers and we can’t sell any other types of liquor,” he told council, adding, “It’s a license that we need” to sell beer and offer samples.

Menary said he is excited and “hoping” to be a medium-size, start up production brewery with taps starting to flow by spring.

Councillor Matt Hoy said he had an opportunity to speak with Menary earlier about his business and is in full support of it.

“He’s a very talented young man,” Hoy told council. “… I fully support this. I think the chance for us to have a locally brewed beer named the square is really good for our community and its fantastic opportunity to advertise the town of Goderich. Nice work, well done.”

Menary said he is going to start off with three lagers: a pilsner, a Vienna lager and an Indian pale lager. Once established, he will look to adding to his roster with seasonal tastes, he said.

Mayor Kevin Morrison, who owns a restaurant on Goderich Courthouse Square, said he understands how drawn out the application for a liquor licence can be, and sympathizes with the young man.

“I think it will be a great addition to the community,” the mayor said.

Council passed the motion and will be backing Menary’s application.

Following the decision, Menary told the media that most people he’s spoken to about his brewery are for it.

“I think everybody we’ve talked to has been into it … and it’s great to see council was excited about it as well,” he said.

11 November, 2016