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BREWERY REGULATIONS UPDATE

Posted on: December 14, 2023 - 2:00pm
BREWERY REGULATIONS UPDATE: People sitting and standing at a brewery smiling.

Since taking office, Mayor Brodeur has been eager to establish a local process to allow for the operation of breweries within Melrose City limits. With a reputation as a destination business, breweries draw new visitors from a wide geographical area, benefiting other local businesses and generating new tax revenue for a community. 

Over the past seven months, Mayor Brodeur's administration has taken several steps to meet this goal, with the final phase of this process coming to fruition on Monday, December 18, 2023, when the Melrose Liquor Licensing Commission will reconvene for a second time to review and adopt Liquor Licensing regulations for the local issuance of Farmer Series Pouring Permits. 

Graphic of PDF File DocumentView the Proposed Regulations: Memo: Adopting New License Farmer Series Pouring Permit (M.G.L. c. 138, § 19C)

This local pouring permit is required to allow a Farmer Brewer Licensee to pour its beer on-premises for sale and sampling to the public. 

So far, the progress to bring a brewery to Melrose under Mayor Brodeur’s Administration is as follows:  

  • In May 2023, the Melrose City Council accepted Massachusetts General Laws. c. 138, § 19C.1. This statute addresses Farmers Brewery Licenses, the state license which must be issued to breweries prior to their operation within City/Town limits in Massachusetts. Generally, such a license allows the business to manufacture and sell at retail those products produced by the brewer.  
  • In August 2023, the Planning Board drafted and recommended zoning amendments to allow for this new intended use/ business within City limits.   
  • On August 14, 2023, a joint public hearing by the Planning Board and the City Council was held. 
  • On September 21, 2023, the City Council approved the zoning amendments. The zoning amendment identifies districts where breweries with distribution and breweries without distribution could locate either by-right or by special permit.  
  • On December 4, 2023, the Melrose Liquor Licensing Commission held its first meeting to deliberate regarding regulations for the Farmer Series Pouring Permits. 
    • During this meeting, the commission discussed the proposed regulations but did not take a final vote. Most of the discussion focused on whether to require food service, and if so, what type of food service would satisfy the requirement.
    • The Commission wanted more time to discuss the matter at a second meeting. That meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 18, at 8:30 a.m. in the Cassidy Conference Room at City Hall.

“As has been the case in other MA cities and towns, allowing for this new type of business within Melrose City limits should stimulate our community’s economic activity and attract business development opportunities here --adding to the diversity of our business inventory -- while offering an additional amenity to our residents,” said Mayor Brodeur. “I appreciate the Melrose community’s support to date, and the great work done so far by our City Council, Planning Board, and now our Liquor Licensing Commission to help evolve Melrose’s hospitality industry.” 

Beyond the economic benefits and the commercial district revitalization brought on by a brewery opening, breweries also serve as a gathering place, and, generally, they tend to give back to their community, including philanthropically, according to a by the University of New Hampshire.

This Liquor Licensing Commission meeting will take place Monday, December 18, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. in the Cassidy Conference Room at Melrose City Hall.  

Before Monday’s meeting, members of the public can submit their feedback, including their support, by sending comments to liquorlicensing@cityofmelrose.org or by attending the meeting in person.

The public can submit their feedback, including their support, by sending comments to liquorlicensing@cityofmelrose.org.

To learn more about the steps the administration has taken to date, visit https://www.cityofmelrose.org/economic-development/pages/brewery-policies-and-planning. To view the agenda for Monday's meeting, click here.