Zoners Say 'No' to Microbrewer Taproom

The Borough of Emmaus may have lost the chance to become the home of Funk Brewing Company in 2014, thanks to a decision by the Zoning Hearing Board last week. The microbrewer went before the board to request a variance that would have allowed Funk to operate a taproom on South Sixth Street, along with its brewing and bottling operation, according to The Morning Call. 

Taprooms enable patrons to taste the beer before buying it and are common among microbrewers.

Funk Brewing, on its Facebook page, says that the decision is not what the company “expected” but that the microbrewer will “keep rocking and rolling.”

A Facebook post by Funk after the decision reads: “Well, I hate to say it, but we were denied our zoning application last night for an accessory use to operate our taproom. We're already working on some alternatives so stay tuned. Cheers!” 

Funk Brewing is getting quite a bit of support on Facebook, with some Facebook friends encouraging the microbrewer to reapply for the variance, bringing along an army of beer lovers to the next zoning board hearing and others, like Lower Macungie Board of Commissioners candidate Ron Beitler encouraging Funk to head over to the Macungie area. 

The primary argument against the new business during the Emmaus zoning board hearing, the Morning Call says, came from Chairman Roger Steinmayr who said he fails to see what makes a taproom different from a bar. There is nothing in borough zoning regulations that prohibits the bottling part of the business. 

Patch readers, in a discussion started on the Patch boards, also are disappointed with the zoning boards’ decision. The thread starts with an emotional comment from Patch user Keith Plunkett, who says the zoning board’s rejection of Funk’s variance application makes him feel embarrassed to live in Emmaus. 

Plunkett writes, in part: 

“I can't believe this. I am embarrassed to live in Emmaus. All over the US, small towns are seeking out breweries to open in their towns, with tax reliefs and other incentives. According to the PA Budget committee, PA breweries have more than a $1 billion direct impact on the state's economy, I wonder if the same could be said for the yarn store or the 4 door knob stores in Emmaus.” 

Click here to read the rest of what Plunkett had to say or add your voice to the conversation.

Or, tell us what you think in the comments here. Do you think a microbrewery taproom would be a good addition to the borough of Emmaus?