Grant's Tomb

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Hey Brandon, beer me!

Friday, Aug. 10, 2012 at 3:21 PM | Comments: 0

COURTESY THE BRANDON GENERAL MUSEUM AND ARCHIVE Enlarge Image

A postcard entitled/captioned "Brandon's New Fire Hall," printed in Britain, published by the Commercial Bureau in Brandon. Circa 1911–12.

More than decade ago, living in Toronto but bored out of my noggin at my job, I used to fantasize about moving back to Brandon.

I thought I could found a free alt-weekly, or an ethical consulting service.

Or I could buy the old fire hall and open a brewpub.

And that’s the idea that really took hold. Even after I came back home, that’s the idea which has been rattling around in my brain ever since.

I helped push it to the forefront of the 2010 mayoral elections, when both candidates endorsed the idea.

And then the MLCC got on board, changing the law to allow for the concept of a pub that both brews on-site and serves their own beer.

That’s when I registered the domain Brewtinerie.ca.

You see, brewing and selling beer is great — but even a brewpub needs a hook. My idea is a brewpub that is also a poutinerie.

Besides beer, what’s more Canadian than cheese curds and gravy on fries? Maybe an inukshuk? We can have one of those, too.

Although I think a brewpub in Brandon will be a success, there are significant hurdles.

The first: it’s expensive.

That’s why I propose a co-op model. Not only does Manitoba provide substantial support for co-ops, it helps spread out the costs.

Frankly, I can’t afford to start a brewpub. Neither can you.

But if there are enough of us working together, we can. And wouldn’t you love to be able to tell your friends you’re a part-owner?

Owning it is only half the battle — I have deep respect for some of the great craft brewers who are developing across the Prairies, and I’m not one of them.

But brewmasters can be hired. For every great microbrewery in the world, there are probably two hungry young apprentices — people who dream of an opportunity that this would provide.

There are other opportunities as well — we could perhaps partner with a craft brewer like Winnipeg’s Half Pints or Regina’s Bushwakker.

And speaking of partnerships, don’t you think the Culinary Arts students at Assiniboine Community College would like to explore the world of beer-making?

True, none of those ideas absolutely have to be housed in the fire hall.

But the fire hall is a perfect location for plenty of reasons.

It’s a historic building. Brandon used to be home to several breweries — the invention of refrigerated trucks snapped that away from us, but why not celebrate our brewing heritage with a vintage home?

It’s downtown, and a brewpub fits in perfectly with the city’s aim to create a downtown dining and entertainment district.

And, uniquely among downtown buildings, it is set back significantly from the sidewalk — that giant driveway would easily be Brandon’s best patio.

Couple the patio with roll-up garage doors that could extend the outdoor ambiance inside, like they do in Montreal, and you’ve got a real winner.

There is plenty of space in the back and basement for the mechanics of brewing. Former offices in the upper floors could be rented out as desireable studios.

And just imagine your view as you dine in the exclusive Tower Room.

Proposals for the fire hall are due at City Hall by the end of the month.

I’m planning to be meeting with investors as you read this — over beers.

Join us at Brewtinerie.ca. There’s also a Facebook page and Twitter account.

Let’s get something brewing in Brandon.

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