Also, I am curious if anyone on this list knows the history of
> Brewing/ Distilling in Virginia. I know Coors has a brewery outside
> Harrisonburg, and Anheiser Busch has one at Busch-Gardens. It is also my
> understanding that Virginia has once again gotten into having a wine
> industry. However, i am unaware of the history of the above brewerys'
> histories and unaware of what more history there might be of brewing and
> disrtilling in Virginia.

The Coors Brewery south of Elkton in Rockingham County was highly controversial when it was proposed ca. 1980 because of its proposed size, the amount of land optioned, effect on underground aquifers, the nature of the product, and the company's secretiveness.  The public hearing on the project was held outside on the courthouse lawn in Harrisonburg because of the size of the crowd and number of those testifying. The Richmond Times-Dispatch, Harrisonburg Daily News-Record and Washington Post provided substantial coverage of the issue.  In the end, economic devleopment arguments prevailed and the brewery was approved, but it has never reached projected volume or employment levels.
Gail Nardi

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