Approving a lease proposal for a brewpub Monday, April 23, the Fairfield Hills Authority moved to send the proposal to the Board of Selectmen, Authority Chair Ross Carley said.

Regarding a lease for Stratford Hall, authority member Michael Holmes said, "Based upon past participation by the Fairfield Hills authority chairman, creating the framework of the lease discussed regarding Stratford Hall, we move that finalization of the lease and terms move forward to the Board of Selectmen."

Partners Mark Tambascio of My Place Restaurant on Queen Street and Dave Kingsley have approached the town with their interest in renovating Stratford Hall in Fairfield Hills to serve as a brewpub, which would include beer and beverages, food trucks, an outdoor pizza oven, food delivery from local restaurants, or customers can bring their own food. Mr Tambascio also mentioned a fire pit and patio for the brewpub.

Lease terms are not public, as it is an ongoing negotiation, said Christal Preszler, deputy director, Economic & Community Development.

The venue would include entertainment such as a bocce court, outdoor toss games, indoor board games, darts and table games, and live music.

Mr Tambascio said this week, "I have felt that Stratford [Hall] would be a great place" for a brewpub. The craft brewing concept "is growing as an industry," he said. He thinks a brewery "could serve as an anchor to bring retail and people into our town. It's a destination, absolutely. And we love that building."

"Hopefully, the town will support it," he said.

"We can have a lot of private events and weddings and rehearsal dinners, showers; we can do anything with that space," Mr Tambascio said. "We will have wine, too. Many breweries don't." He also envisions offering cold brewed local coffee from local roasters.

"We think we are going to have the best beer, on top of the fact that the venue is beautiful," Mr Tambascio said. He will be working with John Watson, who is "a phenomenally talented and widely respected" home-brewer.

"Our plan is to combine" the talents of Mr Tambascio, Mr Watson, and Mr Kingsley to open Newtown's first brewpub.

If it is approved in the future through proper boards and commission, Mr Tambascio said he "looks forward to starting lease terms in a year. Right now, we are buttoning up our business plan, and once we get finances situated we hope to get to work."

Based on some of Mr Tambascio's paperwork describing his vision, he talks about the craft beer boom, which has "changed the commercial landscape," as breweries grow in number. "There are now well over 6,000 craft breweries" in the country, he said. He also said that BeerAdvocates.com, "the best known website for craft beer reviews, lists nearly 600 craft beer breweries, retailers, and bar/restaurant operations in Connecticut." He notes that "My Place has been far ahead of the craft beer curve for decades."

If approved, he will operate business at historical Stratford Hall, "One, beautiful grounds … We will restore the building to its original grandeur," while including modern upgrades.

He states, "The unique beauty of the building lends a huge advantage over more industrial sites… this should be the most picturesque brewpub in the state… as the craft beer industry matures."

The facility will include areas for consumption, purchase, plus the brewery itself. "The brewery will be ten barrels… with room to expand," he said.

With a note about quality, Mr Tambascio states, "Our brewmaster is a legend. Our manager has been a Connecticut craft beer pioneer since the late 1980s, our builder partner is the go-to for high quality design, and our bar manager is the most beloved server in this part of the country. We are all obsessively, fanatically, emotionally focused on one primary objective: absolutely devastating every beer lover who crosses our threshold."