Canada, ON: Lonsbery Farms Brewing Co. may open in Windsor before the end of the year

After a long five-year ramp up, Karl Lonsbery is hoping to finally realize his dream of opening a craft brewery before the end of the year, the Windsor Star reported on November 11.

Lonsbery has partnered with Tom Manherz, owner of the wildly successful Wolfhead Distillery in Amherstburg.

He’s relocated some $700,000 worth of brewing equipment from the family’s Harrow farm to Wolfhead’s location at 7781 Howard Ave.

Administration will recommend Amherstburg council amend the town’s official plan to allow breweries on agricultural land at November 14th’s council meeting.

“Local breweries and micro-breweries support the economy with additional local jobs, increase in tourist visits, and provide a locally made product for local residents to enjoy,” an administration report said. “The brewery industry further utilizes local products in the production of the beer and supports the local agricultural sector with the use of hops and grains.”

Lonsbery Farms Brewing Co. has been in the works for years. Lonsbery originally hoped to establish a farm-to-table production facility on the family’s 100-acre farm in Harrow.

That required dealing with the town of Essex for appropriate zoning amendments while also seeking out investors.

Then Manherz, who opened his craft distillery this past May, came into the picture.

“It made sense for both of us,” Lonsbery said. “It’s a good way to start.”

In addition to getting proper zoning approval from the town, Lonsbery is also waiting on licencing approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

If everything falls into place, he could be brewing within a month and have product available in time for the Christmas holidays.

“Craft breweries seem to be the big thing lately,” Amherstburg Mayor Aldo DiCarlo said. “More importantly it’s another investment in the town and another draw for the town. It is a specific zoning requirement so it has to be addressed but hopefully it’s just a formality and we can get another business going.”

Lonsbery, 33, is a well-known local winemaker. He’s already produced limited amounts of beer for several summer festivals with the help of Craft Heads Brewing Co. in Windsor.

He anticipates offering two or three varieties “out of the gate” with potential for as many as 12 in the future. He says his signature swig is a cream ale.

Lonsbery Farms Brewing will share Wolfhead’s retail space and expect to see craft beer as an ingredient in the dishes prepared by Wolfhead chef Larry Girard.

13 November, 2016