JDub's founder gives update on planned Sarasota brewery

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JDub's Brewing Co. was supposed to be open by now at 1215 Mango Ave. in Sarasota. What happened? Founder Jeremy Joerger posted an update online on the production brewery.

JDub's Brewing Co."It seems like just about everything imaginable could and has slowed us down to this point," Joerger writes, including issues with the city of Sarasota over their design and the federal government shutdown, which has held up a critical loan. "This process has tested me beyond comprehension and I can truly say that this is the hardest thing I've ever done." (Don't forget that Joerger is a disabled veteran, so it's not like he's been living a cushy life.)

He then switches to the positive news, writing that he and his attorney have worked with Sarasota on a new zoning code just for breweries. Joerger writes:

Jeremy Joerger (Staff photo / Alan Shaw)

Jeremy Joerger (Staff photo / Alan Shaw)

"From this point forward, if a craft brewery wants to open in Sarasota, they will be allowed to operate a taproom without going through a huge (and very expensive) rigamarole. It was a somewhat painful process, but in the end we were able to help out future Sarasota-based craft breweries. And helping out fellow craft breweries is one of the greatest aspects of our industry."

He writes that the brewery's plans are approved and their contractor is ready, along with the brewing equipment, which is sitting in Portland, Ore. Everything is waiting on JDub's closing on its Small Business Administration loan, which was held up by the shutdown, Joerger writes.

JDub's is also working on small batches for special events, like the Oct. 27 tasting at World of Beer, he writes. So people will finally get the chance to taste their beers.

I have yet to hear of a brewery that had an easy time of opening. Cigar City founder Joey Redner chronicled the trials starting his Tampa brewery in a blog that's sadly no longer online. It seems JDub's is experiencing the (unfortunately) common headaches that go with starting a brewery.

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Alan Shaw

Alan Shaw has been a fan of craft beer since the 1990s. He is partial to hops and has been an editor at the Herald-Tribune since 1997. He can be reached at (941) 361-4914, by email or mail at 1741 Main St., Sarasota, FL 34236. Follow him at @alancshaw on Twitter and on Facebook.
Last modified: October 17, 2013
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