PORT NECHES — The bureaucratic journey to bring a brew pub to Port Neches is well on its way thanks to the approval of Port Neches City Council.
Tyler Blount, owner of Neches Brewing Co., 1108 Port Neches Ave., received the go-ahead for a conditional use permit to run a brew pub following a public hearing and subsequent meeting on Thursday.
Frank Rozell, a Port Neches resident, spoke in favor of the issue giving credit to Blount’s character.
“I want to go on the record as supporting Tyler. I personally know Tyler, he has good moral character and is homegrown right from here,” Rozell said. “I’m here to support his venture and feel a brew pub will offer some good entertainment, something lacking in this city.”
Blount is currently renovating the inside of the building and has added several new features inside that he will unveil at a later date.
But first he must obtain licensing from the state and federal levels. One of the requirements for the state and federal level was to get the green light from the city, he said.
“Once we do all this, it’s a government deal,” Blount said.
Blount said the minimum to receive the two licensing is about three months. He recently read that brew pubs are popping up in the U.S. on a more frequent basis then ever before which is something that gives him encouragement.
Once licensed Blount will be able to brew in-house and sell beer in-house in addition to being able to self-distribute to bars and restaurants. He also plans to support other Texas brews.
He told council the brew pub will have a stage set-up and some live entertainment but “nothing crazy.”
Late last year the city of Port Neches began to take a look at its zoning ordinances and in the spring made updates, where needed. One issue that was discussed was to adjust definitions and zoning designations since the brew pub would involve both the manufacture and sale of alcohol which wasn’t previously addressed in the zoning.
Another issue was distance requirements of the business between a bar and schools and churches. Council opted for a 300-feet distance after consideration.
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