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More on Shed Brewing...

Something’s brewing at former curling rink in Dundas
(Hamilton Spectator, Meredith MacLeod, Feb 15 2013)

Plans are under way to bring brewing back to the city.

Ed Madronich, who owns Flat Rock Cellars winery in Jordan, has applied for a zoning amendment that would allow a microbrewery in what was once a curling and skating rink in Dundas.

“Winemaking is a craft method, too. This was a logical step for me.”

Madronich plans to brew beer on the site that will be sold wholesale to bars and restaurants and through a small retail operation on site. The plan is to offer tours and tastings to visitors but there will not be a restaurant or bar.

Dundas and Hamilton both have a long history in brewing (there were five brewers in Hamilton in 1867, the year of Confederation) but there have been no suds made here since Lakeport closed its doors in April 2010.

Madronich, 45, and business partner Shawn Till have formed Shed Brewing Company. The name combines their two first names but also aptly describes the unique shape of the 1880s-era brick structure at 65 Hatt Street that was built as the Dundas Curling and Skating Rink.

The building, listed on the city’s inventory of buildings of architectural and historical interest, has been functioning as the warehouse of the now defunct Valley City Manufacturing plant across the street.

Madronich says the heritage of the building blends perfectly with a small brewery. He expects it will take about three to four months of renovation.

“Dundas is a great location. A lot of people travel to Dundas from a tourist perspective,” he said.

“We wanted to find a place that was unique and special … This was the right place at the right time.”

Till and Madronich played basketball together during their years at McMaster University and have remained friends. Their offer to buy the approximately 13,000-square-foot building is conditional on getting zoning approval.

The property is zoned for commercial use, but a designation to allow brewing must be added. As well, city staff will review parking requirements. There is no parking on the site.

Shed Brewing’s application was deemed complete by the city Jan. 2, according to a city planning spokesperson. Under legislation, the city has 120 days from then to bring a report to the planning committee.

Madronich began in the wine business in 1999 and opened his winery in 2005. He says the broad impact of the wine industry on the local and provincial economy, tourism and culture is often overlooked. He thinks craft brewing could have the same economic and cultural result.

Craft beers were the fastest growing sales segment at the LCBO in 2011, when sales of $22 million poured in. In 2004, the segment brought in $2 million in sales.

“There is definitely a business opportunity here,” said Madronich. “Craft beer is growing because there is demand out there for artisanal products. People want the unique products of small breweries.”

Dundas Councillor Russ Powers is fully supportive of brewing venture and says his constituents seem to be, too.

“I think it’s a wonderful renewal of a historic building. It’s been a presence in the downtown for years.”

Powers said modern technology means the brewing process is self contained and doesn’t create any smells.

“I’ve been to a few locations and I until I knew it was a microbrewery, I wouldn’t have known they were making beer.”

Phyllis Kraemer, chair of the Dundas BIA, says she has not heard one negative comment about the proposal. The BIA hasn’t formally discussed the issue, but Kraemer, owner of The Keeping Room, says she thinks a craft brewer would be a perfect addition to Dundas.

“When a big, beautiful old building that has historical background becomes empty, everybody worries. That is a pretty special building.”