The Floyd County Board of Supervisors has asked to hear objections and comments about the "proposed" Floyd brewery at the August 12th (8:30 AM) board meeting. See Meeting Agenda. Ironically, this is just a day before the Virginia ABC Hearing scheduled for the 13th of August in Roanoke.
[Owners Brett] Nichols and [Ray] Jones told me they are surprised the Board of Supervisors placed the issue on its agenda. Neither of the owners has been contacted by the Board or the County Administration to respond to questions or address concerns over the new microbrewery.
Nichols and Jones found out about the addition to the Board’s agenda by visiting the Floyd County website. According to BJN Brewworks, the company was not notified about the Board meeting by the County Administration.
Wouldn't it make sense to actually notify the business in question about the call for comments? Reminds me of Dean Wormer's line from Animal House. I wonder if the folks expressing objections were notified?
Operating a brewpub is a highly regulated, and entirely legal business in Virginia. Floyd County has a number of wineries already in operation that generate a lot of tourism interest for the area. One has to wonder why the neo-prohibitionists are suddenly up in arms over this brewery.
After reading this report from Doug Thompson of the visit he received from one of the Baptist "ministers" I don't think even the "ministers" themselves know why they oppose the brewery:
Hi, did you know there is an effort to start a brew pub that will brew and serve beer?
Isn't that what they do at brew pubs?
Yes, but we don't think brew pubs belong in Floyd County.
Why not?
Because drinking is a sin.
It is? Didn't Christ serve wine to his disciples?
That's not the point. We don't need a brew pub in Floyd County.
Again, I ask: Why not?
Because it will corrupt our children.
Last time I checked, the minimum age for drinking in the Commonwealth of Virginia is 21. There are a several places in Floyd County that sell and serve beer, wine and -- in one case -- mixed drinks. Seems like the kids have survived that.
Well, we want it stopped.
You came to the wrong house for support. Don't come back or I'll call the sheriff and charge you with trespassing. Good day.
Good for you Mr. Thompson. I encourage my readers to see Mr. Thompson's full response here. Unless folks take a stand against these people who want to have their own personal interpretation of law, be it man-made or biblical law, they will continue to operate and grow. Don't ever think that history can't repeat itself. Even successful campaigns start small.
Not all Christians hate beer... I recently wrote a little blog series on beer and Christianity over at my blog...
ReplyDeleteI wonder, do these folks view the monks who brew as sinners? Those devout men who serve God while making and enjoying quality beer?
“He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart."
Psalms 104:14-15
"Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do."
Ecclesiastes 9:7
I will bring back my exiled people Israel; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit.
Amos 9:14
These folks forget Jesus was attacked for not condemning drinkers... Would they condemn Jesus?
"The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."
Matthew 11:19
Bryon,
ReplyDeleteI agree. Most Christians, myself included, don't hate alcohol. Drunkenness might be a sin, drinking alcohol is not, Gluttony is a sin, but consuming food it not. Whatever the agenda of these "ministers" is, it's not following any legitimate Christian teaching IMO.
I really hate when people use religion to try and trample on others rights. Thanks Bryon for the Bible quotes! And I love the fact that a recovering alcoholic spoke out against the Baptists. Great!! Good luck to Shooting Creek on Wednesday!! Wish I could be there to show my support!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
The Beerbuddha