The Only Cafe to open in-house brewery

The Danforth could be about to get its first big swig of micro-brewed ale if The Only Cafe's latest expansion plans come to fruition. After years of serving up other company's local beers, the east-end stalwart (here seen during less wintery times) is planning to start producing its own offerings from a new location right next door.

Though the idea is still firmly on paper, The Only's expansion into the world of hops, barley, and fermentation already has a working title. 7 Minutes Fast, a reference to the current bar clock's less-than-accurate timekeeping, is one of the names management is kicking around.

The company has a history of expansion; the owners opened a coffee shop, the cleverly named One in the Only, in a storefront next to the original bar in 2009. The Only Backpackers Inn, a hostel for thirsty backpackers, opened later on the second floor above the bar.

The city's bylaw rules will be one of the first hurdles for the new venture. The property is currently listed for commercial and residential use only. Brew-in operations, as they are known, are not allowed on the premises at this time.

That's assuming the brewing equipment goes in the Uzel olive store at 974 Danforth. That space is just one of several the owners are looking to buy, though nothing's been signed at this stage.

The Danforth has, until now, been passed over by the recent proliferation of small-scale brewing operations. Fermentations, a DIY beer and wine operation near Broadview Ave., is currently the only brewer of any kind in the neighbourhood.

Are you excited to see nano-brewing arrive on the Danforth?

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.