Big Oyster liquor license protest goes before ABCC Aug. 8

Plans for Big Oyster Brewery, a new operation just outside Lewes, have hit a speed bump, as the application to operate a brewpub, serve alcohol on Sundays and include a patio has been protested against. A protest hearing before the Delaware Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, Aug. 8, at Sussex County Council Chambers, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. 

Big Oyster began brewing beer in 2015 inside Fins Ale House and Raw Bar on Coastal Highway. The seven-barrel system produces enough beer to serve Fins’ two locations and about 40 other restaurants statewide. In a March interview with the Cape Gazette, brewmaster Andrew Harton said the plan is to build a 6,000-square-foot brewing facility at the former Silk and Sands Florist property on Kings Highway. The facility would serve primarily as a production facility for Big Oyster, but it would also offer a restaurant. Harton said the brewery would feature a 15-barrel brewing system with 30-barrel fermenters. The bigger facility would increase Big Oyster’s production from 500 to 600 barrels annually to 3,000 barrels.

Also before the ABCC is a protested application of Missi’s Egg LLC at 510 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, which is seeking restaurant, patio and Sunday licenses.