News
Turquoise Hills looks to open a microbrewery
Thelma Grimes
SAN PEDRO VALLEY NEWS-Sun
Benson may be getting a microbrewery and winery as part of changes being made under new ownership at the Turquoise Hills Golf and RV off State Route 80.
The Benson City Council approved two resolutions Monday night, supporting the new owners' effort to become state-licensed to have a microbrewery and sell wine at the golf course.
Art Bale, one of the new owners, said they came across someone with experience in microbreweries and one thing led to another, and they soon realized the golf course kitchen was big enough and the prospect could become a reality.
"We are asking your permission for a microbrewery," Bale said. "We have the room to do it, and we have applied to the state. We think it will be a lot of fun for the people who live here."
Bale said if the state approves the license, they will make no less than 5,000 gallons per year, and no more than 10,000 gallons.
Bale said the beers will also have different names to represent the San Pedro Valley.
Vice Mayor Toney King applauded the idea, stating he visited a brewery in Phoenix and it was interesting, and one in Benson would likely draw in tourists.
Bale said with council approval, and if all goes well with the state licensing board, they are hoping to start around Nov. 15.
While the council had few worries about a microbrewery, Turquoise Hills' request for council approval to move forward with a winery drew some concerns.
Councilman Al Sacco's motion to table the issue to investigate further died for lack of a second. Sacco said the city needs to be careful moving forward, citing concerns with whether or not a winery should be in a residential neighborhood.
Bale explained that one of the park residents in Cochise Terrace has been making wine for many years and just giving it away. Now, Bale said Turquoise Hills will buy the wine from him and sell it by the glass or bottle.
The domestic farm winery license would be approved for 1030 S. Barrel Cactus Ridge.
George Neff, who was also present at the meeting, said he has been making wine since the 1970s, and under federal regulations has been able to make up to 200 gallons a year and give it away.
He now has to get a license because he is going to be selling it to Turquoise Hills.
Sacco had some concerns because Neff will have controlling interest in the winery and the microbrewery. When questioned about it, City Attorney Michael Massee did not know the specific laws applying to the issue, but said the state licensing board is the ultimate authority on the matter.
City Manager Glenn Nichols further stated that the golf course is zoned B-2 which would allow manufacturing of wine.
Sacco, still unsatisfied, said, "We are treading on uncharted waters and want to make sure we cover all bases. I want to make sure we understand what we are doing here. I'd like a little more time to investigate."
Bale said he would rather the council just reject it rather than table it. City Council has no control over a liquor license. The state has the final say on the matter.
While Sacco's motion to table the matter failed, he did get some support from other council members. In voting to approve the measure, Council members David Lambert and Jo Deen Boncquet voted against. Sacco abstained, while Mayor Mark Fenn, King and council members John Lodzinski and Lori McGoffin voted yes, passing the resolution in a 4-2-1 vote.
In other business during the hour-long meeting, the council gave Public Works Director Brad Hamilton approval to move forward with the third phase of several streets in Benson as part of a Community Development Block Grant.
Staff was also given approval to move forward with purchasing new merchandise with the new city logo to sell at the Benson Visitor's Center, and to conduct a transit feasibility study to possibly take over a senior transit program in the city that is currently managed by Catholic Community Services.
SAN PEDRO VALLEY NEWS-Sun
Benson may be getting a microbrewery and winery as part of changes being made under new ownership at the Turquoise Hills Golf and RV off State Route 80.
The Benson City Council approved two resolutions Monday night, supporting the new owners' effort to become state-licensed to have a microbrewery and sell wine at the golf course.
Art Bale, one of the new owners, said they came across someone with experience in microbreweries and one thing led to another, and they soon realized the golf course kitchen was big enough and the prospect could become a reality.
"We are asking your permission for a microbrewery," Bale said. "We have the room to do it, and we have applied to the state. We think it will be a lot of fun for the people who live here."
Bale said if the state approves the license, they will make no less than 5,000 gallons per year, and no more than 10,000 gallons.
Bale said the beers will also have different names to represent the San Pedro Valley.
Vice Mayor Toney King applauded the idea, stating he visited a brewery in Phoenix and it was interesting, and one in Benson would likely draw in tourists.
Bale said with council approval, and if all goes well with the state licensing board, they are hoping to start around Nov. 15.
While the council had few worries about a microbrewery, Turquoise Hills' request for council approval to move forward with a winery drew some concerns.
Councilman Al Sacco's motion to table the issue to investigate further died for lack of a second. Sacco said the city needs to be careful moving forward, citing concerns with whether or not a winery should be in a residential neighborhood.
Bale explained that one of the park residents in Cochise Terrace has been making wine for many years and just giving it away. Now, Bale said Turquoise Hills will buy the wine from him and sell it by the glass or bottle.
The domestic farm winery license would be approved for 1030 S. Barrel Cactus Ridge.
George Neff, who was also present at the meeting, said he has been making wine since the 1970s, and under federal regulations has been able to make up to 200 gallons a year and give it away.
He now has to get a license because he is going to be selling it to Turquoise Hills.
Sacco had some concerns because Neff will have controlling interest in the winery and the microbrewery. When questioned about it, City Attorney Michael Massee did not know the specific laws applying to the issue, but said the state licensing board is the ultimate authority on the matter.
City Manager Glenn Nichols further stated that the golf course is zoned B-2 which would allow manufacturing of wine.
Sacco, still unsatisfied, said, "We are treading on uncharted waters and want to make sure we cover all bases. I want to make sure we understand what we are doing here. I'd like a little more time to investigate."
Bale said he would rather the council just reject it rather than table it. City Council has no control over a liquor license. The state has the final say on the matter.
While Sacco's motion to table the matter failed, he did get some support from other council members. In voting to approve the measure, Council members David Lambert and Jo Deen Boncquet voted against. Sacco abstained, while Mayor Mark Fenn, King and council members John Lodzinski and Lori McGoffin voted yes, passing the resolution in a 4-2-1 vote.
In other business during the hour-long meeting, the council gave Public Works Director Brad Hamilton approval to move forward with the third phase of several streets in Benson as part of a Community Development Block Grant.
Staff was also given approval to move forward with purchasing new merchandise with the new city logo to sell at the Benson Visitor's Center, and to conduct a transit feasibility study to possibly take over a senior transit program in the city that is currently managed by Catholic Community Services.
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