Iqaluit microbreweries one step closer to opening taps

In a close vote,Iqaluit city council has given the go-ahead to two proposed microbreweries.

Thegreen light from council clears the way for theNunavut Liquor Licensing Board to decide whether the breweries get to set up shop in town.

"This debate isn't really about alcohol," said deputy mayor RomeynStevenson."It's not about if we want alcohol in our town. More or less,people arealready consuming beer here...It's just about consuming beer that possibly is made here rather than beer that's imported."

Stevenson cast the tie-breaking voteforeach proposal, whichare quite different in scale.

TheNunavutBrewing Company wantsproduce up to 1,500 litres of beer aday. Its backers include Cody Dean and Sheldon Nimchuk.They say theyhaveraised $3millionin capital.

TheIqaluitBrewing Company which includes former MLA Hunter Tootoowants to makeup to 2,000litres of beer per week. They say they've raised $173,000 and plan to borrow the same amount.

Councillor Noah Papatsiealso voted in favour ofthe breweries.

"There will be some employment and we don't have manufactures here in Iqaluit I mean that's a lot of job opportunities for people," he said "It's a win, win situation for everybody."

Iqaluit resident RJ Facciolsays he's happy the city is giving the breweries a chance.

"I'm a big beer fan," he said. "Up here it's expensive but I think the only way for us to see what path it's going to take is for us to go ahead and try it."

The Nunavut Liquour Licencing Board will now get public feedback on the proposals.