The Macon Beer Co. made its logo a few months ago. Soon after that, the new company made T-shirts, hats, pint glasses and beer mugs.

The only thing it isn’t making is beer.

Jeremy Knowles, co-owner of the downtown Macon business, expects that to be changing soon.

The Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission approved the planned beer-makers’ request Monday to rezone 345 Oglethorpe St. from a central business district to a wholesale and light industrial district to allow the brewery to operate. The commission also approved for the business a conditional-use permit to allow for alcohol production in a building zoned for manufacturing.

“It was a huge hurdle,” Knowles said Monday about the approvals. Knowles admits that he and business partner, Cory Smith, stepped out on faith when they purchased the building and began renovating it.

“From this point on, if everything goes perfect, we should have beer flowing by April or May,” he said.

The company is still trying to obtain federal and state licenses.

Macon Beer Co. will primarily supply its product to restaurants and package stores in kegs, Knowles said, adding that they hope to expand in the future to cans.

The flagship ales would be a brown called Macon History and a pale called Macon Progress.

After opening, Macon Beer also is planning to offer tours of the brewery and provide free taste samples.

In other business, the P&Z commission approved a conditional-use permit for 3670 Eisenhower Parkway to allow a church in an existing shopping center.

The commission also approved a conditional-use permit for 6316 Peake Road to allow retail sales in an existing office/warehouse.

To contact writer Harold Goodridge, call 744-4382.