'Ales Unlimited' Craft Beer Pub/Store Approved for Solano Ave.

The proposed Ales Unlimited craft beer outlet for Solano Avenue won approval on a 4-0 vote by the Albany Planning & Zoning Commission Wednesday night.

One surprise emerged at the meeting – the business would serve not just as a retail outlet but also as a pub for drinking beer on the premises, along with food brought in from outside, such as from Fonda Restaurant next door.

The original Ales Unlimited opened in San Francisco about four and a half years ago and boasts nearly 900 specialty beers. The new location at 1501 Solano Avenue would be its second outlet.

Owner Steve Smith told the commission he anticipates that about 50 percent of the business would be retail sales and 50 percent would be consumption on the premises. Both bottled and draft beer would be available, and the space would include tables and chairs to enjoy the beer with food brought in from Fonda or elsewhere, he said.

"Obviously because Fonda is beside us, the idea would be to give people the opportunity to drink a beer and do pairings with maybe some food and have people joining both locations in a way," he said.

The business' hours – 11 a.m. to midnight Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday – are meant to match those of Fonda, he said. 

Commissioner Doug Donaldson said he had assumed, judging from the application and staff report, that the outlet would be largely retail with the beer tasting playing a smaller role.

"It sounds like it's going to end up looking more like a bar," he said.

The commission nevertheless expressed enthusiasm for the business and approved a conditional use permit and an exemption from a requirement to provide six spaces of off-street parking. Commissioner Phillip Moss recused himself from the deliberations because of his proximity to the location.

"Solano Avenue is becoming known as a foodie mecca," said commissioner David Arkin. "I think this will bolster that."

Commission Chair Stacy Eisenmann welcomed another place in Albany to enjoy good beer, in addition to such businesses as The Pub on Solano and the Albany Taproom on San Pablo Avenue.

"I like that it's becoming a mecca of beer," she said.

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