An advisory committee in San Diego voted 17-1 Wednesday to support 10 Barrel Brewing Co.’s bid to locate a brewpub there.

The city planning agency, Civic San Diego, had received a handful of comments by email, mostly from craft beer enthusiasts who opposed the Bend-based brewery’s plan on the basis of its corporate ownership. The brewery was purchased in December 2014 by global brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev. Opponents in email comments to the planning agency said Anheuser-Busch would unfairly compete against local craft brewers and take its profits elsewhere.

“This is not just a matter of healthy competition,” wrote Ken Gartin, who identified himself as a former Stone Brewing Co. employee. “This is more about letting a wolf in sheep’s clothing into an area that is already well-serviced.”

Civic San Diego, because it received several comments in opposition, referred the 10 Barrel permit application to the Downtown Planning Advisory Council. However, only two spoke against the brewpub plan Wednesday when the council met: Brian Beagle, a San Diego craft beer blogger, and Kevin Hopkins, a past president of the San Diego Brewers Guild.

Another six spoke in favor of 10 Barrel’s plan, said James Alexander, assistant planner with Civic San Diego. A ninth person expressed concern over potential noise and parking, he said.

Opponents could only hope to delay the application; the council may only hear comments and make nonbinding recommendations. The application to add rooftop and outdoor dining areas to the former book bindery is a staff decision but could be appealed to the Civic San Diego board of directors, Alexander said. Ownership is not a factor. He said the staff decision should come within a week.

In January, San Diego City Councilman Todd Gloria, whose district includes the East Village site of the proposed brewpub, said he supports the brewery application.

“San Diego has a love affair with our local craft beers,” Gloria wrote in an email Jan. 29. “That said, I love new businesses in my district, and I’m curious to see how they do in this competitive but thirsty market.”

Adam Warrington, spokesman for The High End, the craft beer unit of Anheuser-Busch InBev, wrote in an email Thursday, “Brewpubs let us connect directly with our drinkers in new and fun ways, and that’s why we’re excited to open a new pub in San Diego, home to a dynamic craft beer community.”

Beagle said Thursday he’s done fighting Anheuser-Busch, for now.

“All I wanted out of the situation was to bring awareness and let the public speak out about it. The public didn’t care nearly as much as I did,” he said. “I’m still glad I took the time, and I’m still glad I participated in the discussion.”

— Reporter: 541-617-7815, jditzler@bendbulletin.com