Heather Curtis
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON (WMAL) – Montgomery County’s considering allowing farmers to brew their own beer and distill their own liquor and let people sample it in tasting rooms.

Right now only wineries are allowed in Montgomery County’s agricultural zone. Monday Montgomery County’s planning, housing and economic development committee will talk about a proposed zoning change that would allow breweries and distilleries to open there too.

“The growth of interest in on-farm wineries, breweries and distilleries has illustrated a new direction of profitability for our agricultural producers that is responding to market demand,” Montgomery Agricultural Producers Director Bob Cissel told the committee at a meeting in May.

Agriculture Advisory Committee Chair Doug Lecklider told the committee he also supports the proposed zoning change because it gives farmers the opportunity to generate more income.

Opponents include Jim Brown with the Sugarloaf Citizens Association.

“More alcohol production and accompanying tasting and imbibing will inevitably lead to an increase in alcohol impaired driving on winding country roads that are shared by large farm equipment, trailers and bicyclists,” said Brown.

Brown added millions of dollars have been spent to preserve the AG reserve, and it needs to continue to be maintained as an agriculture production area.

The committee will take up the issue Monday afternoon at 1:30.

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