As many as 300,000 people a year could visit a proposed Guinness brewery and taproom in Relay and a company executive said Thursday night that nearby businesses will be promoted, not hindered.
"My hope is that when folks come and visit, they’re going to take a look at other opportunities in Arbutus, Catonsville and the city of Baltimore," said Dwayne Kratt, senior director of government affairs for Diageo, the international company that owns Guinness and other major beverage brands.
Kratt was on hand for a public meeting in Arbutus with residents, the first since the company announced plans to open a $50 million brewery at a shuttered liquor plant on Washington Boulevard.
Reactions to the plans were largely positive.
Sometime next month, more than 80 years of alcohol production and distribution history will reach what could be its final chapter when Diageo shuts down bottling operations at its Relay site.
With last month’s news that the bottling of spirits will no longer take place at the site of nearly 62…
Sometime next month, more than 80 years of alcohol production and distribution history will reach what could be its final chapter when Diageo shuts down bottling operations at its Relay site.
With last month’s news that the bottling of spirits will no longer take place at the site of nearly 62…
Kratt suggested there could be signs in the taproom to promote neighboring businesses to tourists.
"The brewery will help establish a destination which Arbutus can benefit from," said Bettina Tebo, president of the Greater Arbutus Business Association.
The project is estimated to create 40 jobs in the brewery and another 30 for the hospitality center.
"For them to bring 70 jobs is a big deal," said Ernie Bailey, president of the Lansdowne Improvement Association. "Yeah, it’s a beer brewery, but jobs are of big importance around here because there are not a lot of companies hiring anybody."
Christopher Zach, acting president of the Relay Improvement Association, a community group, said there haven’t been many concerns among its members.
Dwayne Kratt, senior director of government affairs for Diageo, discusses plans for the company’s Guinness brewery and tourist attraction at Arbutus Town Hall Thursday, Feb. 16.
Dwayne Kratt, senior director of government affairs for Diageo, discusses plans for the company’s Guinness brewery and tourist attraction at Arbutus Town Hall Thursday, Feb. 16.
"People know that breweries have been in Relay in the past and it has a long history going back," he said. "So we think this could be a very interesting neighbor and are looking forward to getting to know them."
Bottling operations were last in place at the Diageo factory in 2015, but the site has a richer history. In 1933, Maryland Distillery opened the plant on Washington Boulevard as the state’s first legal distillery after Prohibition, according to a 2012 account from the county’s economic development department.
Kratt said the target opening date is October, coinciding with the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Guinness in the United States.
Kratt said building designs are in the works. State highway planners are looking at traffic patterns and the adequacy of roads.
The company also needs the state legislature to approve bills allowing the brewery and taproom, spelling out things such as operating hours and the amount of beer that can be sold on premises.
The maker of the famed Guinness stout said Tuesday it wants to build a brewery and taproom at its former whiskey bottling plant near Relay in southern Baltimore County, reviving the site with the brand’s first U.S. brewery in more than 60 years.
Diageo tentatively plans to makeover the hulking former…
The maker of the famed Guinness stout said Tuesday it wants to build a brewery and taproom at its former whiskey bottling plant near Relay in southern Baltimore County, reviving the site with the brand’s first U.S. brewery in more than 60 years.
Diageo tentatively plans to makeover the hulking former…
Hearings on the legislation are planned in the coming days in Annapolis.
"There’s a lot of excitement and interest in bringing people to southwest Baltimore County and having this as a destination of sorts really can be attractive to the communities that are nearby," said state Del. Clarence Lam, a Democrat whose district covers Relay.
The project also has the support of the region’s United Food & Commercial Workers International Union.
Midnight Sun commenter Frenchy (who also appears to work for a certain Fells Point mini-fiefdom), sent me the heads up about a rather delicious-sounding event at Slainte Irish Pub (1700 Thames St.) on Friday.
It seems that Guinness turns 250 years old that day, and to celebrate, Slainte is putting…
Midnight Sun commenter Frenchy (who also appears to work for a certain Fells Point mini-fiefdom), sent me the heads up about a rather delicious-sounding event at Slainte Irish Pub (1700 Thames St.) on Friday.
It seems that Guinness turns 250 years old that day, and to celebrate, Slainte is putting…
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