Chattanooga Beer Board Meeting – October 1, 2026

The Chattanooga Beer Board convened on October 1, 2026, at 12:57:30 UTC. The board approved prior minutes, addressed temporary event permits affected by an OpenGov computer issue, heard a restaurant applicant request a beer permit for an October 13 opening, and acted on hearing officer recommendations for fines and suspensions.

Minutes and Routine Approvals

• The board approved the minutes of the September 16/17, 2026 meeting by voice vote, with no opposition.

Temporary Event Permits and OpenGov Issue

• The officer said beer permit 1452 at 1627 Roswell Avenue and several temporary event permits were technically approved by regulatory or zoning but could not be completed because of an OpenGov/IT error that had existed about one week. An IT troubleshooting meeting was scheduled for 10 a.m.
• Zoning reviewer Levi testified that zoning approved TE 151 (Reflection Writing Campfire Concert Series, 400 Garden Road), TE 153 (Greater Chattanooga Public Television Corp., Ale Trail Off the Track Beer Festival), TE 154 (Pickle Barrel LLC, Oct Dubber Fest, 6001 International Drive), TE 155 (Smart Music Project, Twilight Harvest Moon, 20 Choo Choo Avenue), TE 156 (Reflection Writing, Tails, Trails, and Ales, 400 Garden Road), and TE 158 (Reflection Writing event, 326 East Main Street).
• The board voted unanimously to approve TE 153 and TE 154 subject to the IT correction. TE 151, TE 155, and TE 156 were already approved administratively. TE 158 was left pending because the applicant still needed to submit a revised land-use document.
• The officer said he would not treat permits stuck solely by the OpenGov error as enforcement problems.

New Beer Permit Applications

• Beer 1446 (Hair of the Dog) remained on hold for building inspection.
• Beer 1457 (Damn Whiskey Corporation) received zoning approval during the meeting and then regulatory approval; the applicant still had to pay the permit fee and print the permit.
• Beer 1458 (Damn Whiskey Corporation) had been approved by regulatory on September 29, 2026, but was affected by the OpenGov error. No board vote was required for these items.

Forge Garage Request

• Scott Estes, representing Forge Garage, said the restaurant planned to open to the public on October 13 at the former Abuelos location in Hamilton Place and had hired 150 people. He applied for beer permit 1463 and temporary permit TE 1461 to allow staff training before opening.
• Estes said all required FBI fingerprints were complete except for two passive investors; one was being fingerprinted that morning and the other had an appointment on Monday. A board member proposed conditional approval, but another board member opposed it as a precedent-setting departure from the normal process.
• Staff explained that if the remaining fingerprints were submitted and cleared, the permanent permit could be approved administratively without a board vote, making the temporary permit unnecessary. Estes agreed to withdraw TE 1461 and submit the fingerprints. No motion was voted on.
• Staff noted the regular beer permit fee is $250, and temporary event permit fees are $100 for the first day plus $50 per additional day, not to exceed $250.

Fines and Hearing Officer Recommendations

• Hampton Inn and DoubleTree had unpaid fines from earlier violations; the officer offered to hand-deliver the notices while doing compliance checks. No formal action was taken.
• Mapco Express: The hearing officer recommended a three-day suspension or a $250 fine. The board voted unanimously to impose the three-day suspension and then set it for October 16–18.
• Chattanooga Breakfast Club (3006 Dotson Avenue): The hearing officer recommended a $1,000 fine. Owner Mr. Craddock denied selling or possessing beer, said he did not have a beer permit, and said he had given beer away in the past. The officer cited body-camera footage from about 4:12 a.m. showing an open case of beer and people with cups containing alcohol. The board voted to reduce the fine to $500. Mr. Craddock said he intended to appeal.
• Reagan's Place: The hearing officer recommended dismissal of an overservice citation because the overserved person said they pregamed at an apartment and did not remember going to Reagan's. The board unanimously accepted the dismissal.

Key Outcomes

• TE 153 and TE 154 were approved; other temporary permits were either administratively approved or deferred. Beer 1457 was approved and needs fee payment and printout.
• Forge Garage received no immediate permit vote; the applicant will withdraw TE 1461 and submit remaining fingerprints.
• Mapco Express suspension was scheduled for October 16–18.
• Chattanooga Breakfast Club fine was reduced from $1,000 to $500, with an appeal indicated.
• Reagan's Place citation was dismissed.
• The meeting adjourned after no further business.