The San Antonio City Council unanimously approved a number of ordinances at their meeting Thursday that will allow Alamo Beer Company to build a microbrewery on the city's near East Side.

The council approved close to $800,000 in city incentive money and the sale of nearly 2 acres of city-owned land that the $8 Million brewery will be built on.

"We had done quite a substantial amount of engineering, architecture, legal work, and such leading up to this point, and I didn't feel comfortable moving forward with any additional funds being spent on the project until the final council vote," said Alamo Beer Company Founder Eugene Simor.

For the business community surrounding the plot of land at 803 Cherry St. though, the council's vote appears to have been only a formality.

"There's been several projects now that are underway as a result of the announcing of the brewery. There's an apartment developer that's looked at a piece of land and has it under contract next to the brewery. There's a gentleman that is building 14 smaller homes on a tract of land that's near the brewery, and we've also had several folks interested in partnering with us on some additional land that I have next to the brewery. So, things are happening. You just don't see it coming out of the ground yet, but believe me there's plenty of commercial activity that's already spawned as a result of the announcement of the brewery," said Simor.

The microbrewery will be built next to the historic Hays Street Bridge, and one of the ordinances approved by the council allows Alamo Beer Co. to use land under the bridge for certain amenities.

"The brewery itself is primarily for manufacturing, but there will be ample room for parties and events. We'll actually have 2,000 to 3,000 square feet of space to use for indoor events. We'll have a tasting room, and then just outside we'll have a beer garden and amenities such as a play area for kids," said Simor. "If you kind of think of the idea under the bridge, it will be a very nice area of space, with picnic tables and such, that will encourage families, tourists, and other folks to show up and enjoy the shade of the bridge, have a cold beer, and play some horseshoes."

The Alamo Beer Co. Microbrewery is set to open by the end of Summer 2013.

By: Marissa A. Wagner