E-Malt.com News article: USA, MN: Waseca Brewery awaiting county approval

A potential Waseca brewery hopes to open its doors. But the brewery has stirred some controversy in its wake among neighbors. The city of Waseca has seen bars come and go, but has never had a brewery, KEYC reported on January 15.

Michael McQuery, an Oregon native, moved to Waseca with his family with hopes of opening his own business. McQuery says, "What I'd like to call it is Half–Pint Brewing Company. What I want to do isn't something that there is in Minnesota. The cities are getting pretty big in breweries. There really isn't any small farm brewery."

Residents of the city of Waseca cited concerns about noise, increased traffic, and potential crime.

Leon Schoenrock, the Chair of the Waseca Zoning Board, says "They saw it as a bar or a road house kind of thing. I think the commission looked at it as more…being a brewery being more like a winery, more of cultural thing instead of a place people really go to drink a lot."

However, McQuery says that the building would be similar to a winery, allowing people to experience the beer's creation, and not a bar.

"I just want a spot where people can come out into the country and try some craft beer and enjoy themselves on the weekend. I want it to be a family place. I want to serve sodas so kids can come out and families can come out for a weekend."

The Waseca Planning Commission has recommended the brewery's approval with conditions and now waits on the County Board for approval.


15 January, 2014