Brewery and tap room with retail outlet to open at 43 S. Brown St.

STAR JOURNAL REPORT

The Rhinelander Brewing Company has been granted a conditional use permit to locate a brewery and tap room with a retail store and museum in the former Forest TV and Appliance building.

The permit received the Rhinelander City Council’s approval at Monday meeting after having been recommended Nov. 28 by the city’s Planning Commission.

The company’s remodeling plans at 43 S. Brown St. call for having a 35x40-foot retail area in the front of the building’s street-level room. Beyond the retail area, the tap room and tasting area will be located with table seating for 36 guests and a bar to seat eight guests.

The remodeling plans also include having a 10-tap system along the back wall of the front room with a three-station sink for washing glassware. A walk-in keg cooler is planned in the back room with the brewery equipment.

Pints and small samples of several beers will be offered for sale in addition to the tastings and tours at times when the retail store is open for on-premise consumption. Growlers of beer will also be for sale for carry-out.

Planning Commission members recommended allowing the retail store and tap room to operate Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. with the business being closed on Sunday.

Though there could be a “tasting evening” with some food brought in for that event, city fire chief/building inspector Terry Williams said the premises won’t have a restaurant.

The company’s initial plans for employees call for starting with one full-time manager, a position filled by Brenda O’Rourke, and hiring two part-time brewers, who will be in charge of brewing and some tastings, tours and brewing demonstrations. One additional part-time employee will be hired to cover all retail hours.

The company announced the property will be its headquarters where it will produce its craft beers, including a new line of small-batch beers called Hodag Ales. It expects to complete construction by next February.