Micro-breweries may soon begin to sprout up in Taipei

The Taiwan Tobacco and Wine Board (菸酒公賣局) wants to set up nationwide franchises for micro-breweries, a local Chinese-language newspaper reported yesterday. Nevertheless, the sector will continue to be severely restricted by government rules.

Board officials were quoted as saying that the opening of small, independent breweries may be aided by the board, as it has decided to provide the technical know-how and brewing materials to franchises with dining facilities that qualify.

The restaurants will be limited to two locations per city with the exception of Taipei, which might have as many as six franchises. Franchises must have on-site brewing equipment and seating capacity for over 150 people, the paper reported.