Blume & Ferris Requests Liquor License Change To Offer Irish Whiskey

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Downers Grove village commissioners will review a request Tuesday that would permit Blume & Ferris to offer Irish whiskey for retail purchase. If approved, the newly established liquor license could open the door for other breweries to offer similar items for retail.

The village's liquor commission unanimously recommended the request at its Feb. 5 meeting.

Currently, the BF liquor license permits a brewery to sell its own house-brewed beers for retail purchase. The former BF liquor license would be reclassified as a BF-1 liquor license.

The proposed full BF-2 license would allow breweries with a Class 3 brewer's license to sell alcohol for consumption off-site. As written, the new liquor license classification would be capped at four.

As of early March, Blume & Ferris, Goldfinger Brewing Company and Alter Brewing and are three breweries in Downers Grove that hold a BF liquor license.

At the Feb. 5 liquor commission meeting, staff liaison Carol Kuchynka noted that creating the new license would give Goldfinger an Alter an opportunity to upgrade their current licenses.

Blume & Ferris plans to offer a curated selection of Irish whiskey, along with Irish coffee, hot whiskey and hot toddies. They do not plan to offer mixed drinks.

The proposed ordinance amendment will have its first reading by the village board on March 3 at 7 p.m.