Surly Brewing drew one step closer to opening its Prospect Park destination brewery Monday with initial approval of its taproom license at City Hall.

Taprooms are popping up around the Twin Cities, but their existence was only made possible after Surly fought to change a state law several years ago prohibiting brewers from selling pints of their alcohol on the premises.

The Brooklyn Center-based company — which has a devoted following among beer aficionados in the region — hopes to open its brewery on the eastern border of Minneapolis just north of University Avenue by the end of the year.

The building will feature a 276-person capacity beer hall, an event center and a restaurant. Guests will also be able to convene outside in a 40,000-square-foot beer garden featuring a stage and fire pit.

No one opposed the project in a public hearing Monday afternoon. Council Member Andrew Johnson noted that he worked to help pass the "Surly bill" at the Legislature.

He said the brewery will add to the city and its growing beer scene.

"My only request is that you brew some more Surly Four, because I still have my bottle that I'm holding onto and I want to be able to have some more of that," Johnson said.

The Surly Brewery is expected to one day bookend the neighborhood's futuristic vision for the area, known as "Prospect North."

After passing the committee vote, the license must win final approval from the full City Council next week.

Eric Roper • 612-673-1732

Twitter: @StribRoper