Brookfield-based Biloba Brewing plans to move into a new space at 2970 N. Brookfield Road, just a few hundred feet from its current location.
Owner Gordon Lane told the Brookfield Plan Commission this week the brewery would aim to move right after Labor Day and had already begun work on the new building.
“We’re really committed to the (historic village area of Brookfield) and we want to see it grow,” Lane told commissioners.
Biloba was started in 2013 and moved into a space at 18725 W. Pleasant St. Lane said the company has “been pretty successful” but said the biggest challenges have been a location and a lack of space.
Being located off the main road, Lane said customers who live five blocks away have come in and said they didn’t know the brewery was located in the area.
The tasting room has a capacity of 42 people and Lane told commissioners he’s seen plenty of people walk in and leave because there wasn’t enough room. Biloba is also limited to a 1.5 barrel brewing system at its current location.
The new location would allow for more patrons, with final occupancy limits yet to be determined. It would also have room for a 10 barrel brewing system.
Plans call for a seasonal outdoor seating area and a grain bin that would initially serve largely for marketing purposes but could also be functional in the future.
The total budget for the project is $545,000, including owner equity, multiple loans and a $50,000 Community Development Authority grant.
Lane purchased the property in June for $270,000, according to state records. It had an assessed value of $285,400 in 2015.
The Plan Commission signed off on a developer’s agreement including the grant on Monday. The full Common Council still needs to approve the proposal.
