Farm Breweries May Soon Open in North Branford; Zoners Ok It

NORTH BRANFORD, CT – The town is one step closer to have a farm brewery operation in town after the Planning and Zoning Commission, on February 1st, approved allowing such establishments on farms of 10 acres or more.

Now all someone has to do is to apply - and that likely won't take long as DeFrancesco Farm in North Branford has made it well known that they'd like to start a farm brewery business at previous public hearings held on the matter.

Allowing farm breweries to operate in towns, which would include manufacturing and brewing of beer, retail sale of beer, tasting rooms and events has been the subject public hearings recently in front of the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The application is Alexander DeFrancesco, of DeFrancesco Farm in North Branford, who has been very active in the movement of planting hops for beer growing in Connecticut.

DeFrancesco said since the state legislature passed legislation allowing the brewing of beer under a manufacturing permit on a farm it has been his intention to do so.

DeFrancesco said he has worked with Town Planner Carey Duques on making sure his plan would work with town regulations in mind.

Zoning officials have discussed DeFranceso's plan at both the November and December and January meetings.

On February 1st, the zoners approved the amendment, It goes into effect February 16th - meaning anyone, including DeFrancesco can apply to operate a farm brewery in North Branford, after that date.

When and if an application is received, the zoners would review it, hold a public hearing, and eventually vote on it.

DeFranceso said while he wants to have the beer operation and farm to table dinners at the farm, the family also wants to maintain the farm as an agriculture-based operation.