Supervisors reject plans for Crooked Letter brewery

VANCLEAVE — Jackson County supervisors have rejected plans for a brewery in Vancleave.

The owners of Crooked Letter Brewing Co. had sought a special exception permit to brew beer in Vancleave.

In April, the county’s planning commission voted to give Wanda and Paul Blacksmith a special exception to build a brewing barn to manufacture beer on their property. Some nearby residents and church leaders appealed to the board of supervisors, saying alcohol production in a residential community can only cause trouble.

Paul Blacksmith says there would be no drinking at the proposed brewery, not even samples.

The Blacksmiths own 13 acres, and wanted to utilize two acres to build a 50- by 50-foot barn to house the beer-making equipment. They expected to employ up to 15 people.