Gary’s moving forward on small-batch brewing

Under the apt name Beershooters LLC, Gary’s Dewey Beach Grill has applied to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission for a 400-square-foot expansion of premises and a change of license to brewpub.

Adam Newman and partners Gary Cannon and Holly Ski own the restaurant. He said the restaurant has contacted neighboring property owners to make sure they are comfortable with the addition. There’s been a lot of support, he said.

“It's not adding any structure, nor will it be at all intrusive since we are brewing such a small amount of liquid,” Newman wrote in a Jan. 30 email. There are currently no plans to bottle, can or distribute product, he said.

These requests, filed Jan. 23, are nearly two years in the making. The restaurant, located at 2000 Coastal Highway, first submitted a conditional-use application for the changes to the town in March 2015. Cannon withdrew the application shortly afterward, saying at the time there was no rush and discussions could resume after the summer season.

The process did resume, and Dewey Beach commissioners unanimously approved installation of a small-batch brewing system for the restaurant during a November 2015 meeting. The 20-gallon operation will be located in commercial space abutting the restaurant on its New Orleans Street side. This prompted the expansion request.

During the approval process, Cannon said the bar area was not getting bigger, and there would be no additional tables added. To give town officials an idea of the size, Cannon said Dewey Beer Co. has a 400-gallon operation.

Newman said, as long as there are no delays, the plan is to start serving Gary’s own brew this summer.

The ABCC is still taking comments on the restaurant’s requests. Individuals concerned about the expansion and license change can contact the ABCC commissioner, who is required to hold a hearing if he receives one or more hearing requests containing at least 10 signatures of residents or property owners located within one mile of the property.

To file an objection, write the ABCC commissioner at the Carvel State Office Building, 820 North French St., 3rd floor, Wilmington, DE, 19801.

The protests must be received by Wednesday, Feb. 22.

For more information, call the commissioner’s office at 302-577-5222.