Photo | Monica Busch
Bull Spit Brewing at Kalon Farm in Lancaster
December 23, 2020
Bull Spit Brewing tussles with Lancaster, eyes Winchendon expansion
Photo | Monica Benevides
Bull Spit Brewing at Kalon Farm in Lancaster
Editor's Note: This story has been updated with comments from a Lancaster town selectman.
Lancaster beer company Bull Spit Brewing, based at Kalon Farm, has shut down its taproom as part of an ongoing dispute with the town over zoning approvals, owner Keith Kopley said on Wednesday.
Kopley said town officials notified him in November the site was not fully approved for its beer operations, although the brewery has been open since summer 2019. The farm has also long been a licensed winery, he said.
“Isn’t alcohol alcohol?” Kopley said Wednesday, recounting the back and forth.
Kopley shuttered the taproom two weeks ago, after tussling with the town over a November cease-and-desist notification, he said, which arose after requesting and approving a permit from the town to build silo gazebos over the summer. The farm store, which retails Bull Spit beer, as well as farm-made wine, remains open, he said.
According to Kopley, there have been challenges working with Lancaster officials since he bought Kalon Farm in 2014. At this point, he said, he’s considering selling the land and focusing his attention on a Bull Spit expansion to Winchendon, which is already underway, although he’s concerned about the farm’s open space being developed.
Lancaster’s inspection services department did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday morning.
Lancaster selectman Jason Allison said in an emailed statement that businesses are asked "a few simple questions" when they come up for yearly licensing, to ensure compliance with local and state regulations.
"If these regulations are not followed, the health and safety of every individual entering said premises is at risk," Allison said.
He continued: "When any business in Lancaster has numerous violations, the town will proactively reach out to state building inspectors. These state inspectors help guide the business owner on the severity and magnitude of their violations and guide them to a path of compliance."
Last week, Winchendon selectmen approved a request for purchase of a piece of town-owned property at 4 Summer St., which Bull Spit plans to use as a production facility, indoor taproom and outdoor beer garden, according to a Dec. 15 press release announcing the expansion.
Photo | Bull Spit Brewing
Bull Spit Brewing's site plan for its Winchendon expansion.
“We plan on making the Winchendon location Bull Spit’s primary brewing facility and will also responsibly expand into contract brewing,” Kopley said in a statement last week.
In advance of this expansion, Bull Spit has hired several new employees, including Dave Higgins, who served as lead brewer at Wachusett Brewing Co. for 17 years, according to a November press release announcing his hiring. Higgins, who was chosen to spearhead the Winchendon operations, will work alongside Bull Spit’s current head brewer, Chris Fontaine.
As for what happens with Bull Spit’s Lancaster location, as well as Kalon Farm, Kopley said everything remains up in the air. For the sake of his family and employees, he said, he’ll continue to weigh his options.
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Anonymous
December 23, 2020
They have been difficult neighbors to live by as the noise has grown over time with the change from store to beer and music site. Be glad to see them move.
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