Brewery, Kitchen and Beer Garden Are Brewing for Gilbert & Bennett — But Details Haven’t Been Public

An unlikely partnership with a batch of unknown details is brewing in Wilton, but the public is expecting — or at least hoping — to hear more information about it before any drinks are poured.

Amidst growing concerns that the town-owned Gilbert & Bennett School property in Georgetown will be suddenly sold without procedural public input, a local fledgling business called Twelve Gods Brewery wants to buy it to create what it describes as a “community-oriented destination brewery with an on-site kitchen, a welcoming indoor taproom, and an outdoor beer garden for seasonal use.”

“The goal is to create a place where families and neighbors can gather in a relaxed setting,” explained Athanasios “Sakis” Panolis, principal and head brewer with Twelve Gods, which spearheaded the original idea of permitting breweries in Wilton in August of 2023 but has not found a brick-and-mortar location.

The brewery, which would be called , hopes to open in the first half of 2027, pending approvals.

“We contacted the town last year to get an idea of what was the condition of the building and what options could be pursued,” Panolis said, though neither First Selectman Toni Boucher nor Director of Planning and Land Use Management Michael Wrinn has shared any public information.

At the last Board of Selectmen meeting on Jan. 20, after some confusion and procedural concern regarding public notice of its executive session, the selectmen met privately with Panolis and two other representatives of Twelve Gods, along with three representatives of the Wilton Land Trust.

“Last week’s meeting was our first board meeting in executive session where we presented our proposal,” Panolis said, calling the project plan unique because of what he described as its “balance.”

“We’re cooperating with the Town and the Wilton Land Trust so a meaningful portion of the property is preserved and protected forever,” he said. “This isn’t about development. It’s about restoring an important piece of town history by keeping the site’s character intact, and creating something Wilton can be proud of.”

While she only provided limited details, Land Trust Executive Director Whitney Beaman said the hope is to “preserve some of the land around the G&B School and the 3.6-acre parcel to the south, and to develop open-space amenities, such as a walking trail loop or a public garden, on the site.”

“Our proposal is part of a potential town transaction to include a portion of the G&B School parcel, as part of the proposed transaction by the brewery, and the two lots to the south of that property,” she said, calling the meeting with the BOS “very preliminary.”

“We hope the residents in the area will welcome the property’s preservation in perpetuity as an open space amenity for the benefit of both the neighborhood and the community,” she said, 

It’s not clear who originated the idea, but Panolis said the brewery’s intention is to purchase the school outright and pay for its restoration. No figures have been made public at this time.

“Our goal isn’t to remake this building in our image or to deprive the town of its role in the process,” Panolis said. “We’re here to preserve a piece of Wilton’s history and breathe new life into it by giving it a new purpose — one where the community can gather and socialize, learn about our local history, and enjoy excellent food and beverage.”

In July and August 2025, the Wilton Capital Planning Committee spent time discussing the potential sale of what it called the “Georgetown Cluster,” which includes the school and two town-owned residential properties to the south along adjacent New St., totaling 8.5 acres.

While several members of the WCPC encouraged at least selling off the two residential properties, Superintendent Kevin Smith voiced a suggestion that the town might want to maintain ownership of the school building itself, noting there was no way of knowing what its worth or value to the town could be in the future.

Several members of the public recently told the WCPC that with development projects currently underway in adjacent Redding, the G&B property could greatly increase in value.

On Sunday, Feb. 1, Boucher told GOOD Morning Wilton that while other people have reached out to the town — to Wrinn in particular — to inquire about the condition of the G&B building, this is the first time a plan has been brought forward.

“This is the only one,” Boucher said, that’s ever been considered “viable.” 

“Usually they’ll call Michael Wrinn and myself to set up the time to go and look at it … They may come in and privately discuss their interest,” she said, but no one has ever presented a specific plan.

“I think from this point on any further discussion of that building, we’re going to make it public (and) I think we’re going to have a lot more discussion with the public on this,” Boucher said. “I think that’s the only way forward.”

Previous concerns have been based on what some felt were private discussions that may have occurred between Boucher and interested parties prior to the town itself — and the other members of the Board of Selectmen — being able to weigh in on exactly what it hopes to see the town do with the building.

“With respect to G&B, I believe that, as a board, we owe it to the town to listen carefully to the input of those who have taken the time to consider the best path forward,” Selectman David Tatkow told GMW on Sunday. “I do not believe the Board of Selectmen should take any action until we have formally reviewed the public input and obtained expert guidance on the restoration required and the long-term feasibility of the site.”

The WCPC has begun giving some consideration to the site in relation to its recommendations to the BOS for capital projects. Repairs and renovation work at G&B has been estimated in the neighborhood of $2 million, much of it the result of water damage and mold.

Panolis indicated that investors and funding were already in place.

“We think it’s a good plan for Wilton because we’re not just pitching an idea,” he said. “We’re bringing a complete, thoughtful proposal as to how this property can be brought back to life responsibly. The building needs an entire rehabilitation, and our plan accounts for that from day one. Our approach for this project respects the site’s character and does not alter the building’s historic exterior.”

He said that the location was brought to their attention by other residents, who convinced them it could be the ideal spot. 

“We contacted the town last year to understand better what was wrong with the building and what a realistic rehabilitation would involve,” Panolis said.

He also noted that BOS board members were inquisitive in their private meeting on Jan. 21, and offered feedback on the kinds of questions the public would have about the project.

“Our commitment is to be responsive, be clear, and earn trust by backing things up with facts and follow-through,” he said. “We welcome public input, and we’ll keep the community informed at each milestone so everyone can judge the proposal on its merits.”

According to Panolis, the selectmen asked about traffic and parking, noise and outdoor operations, public safety and day-to-day operations, as well as project readiness and financial capacity.

The design is still being finalized, but Panolis said the restaurant would offer Latin and Mediterranean flavors alongside clean, natural American comfort good. The seating will be a mix of communal tables and standard tables, along with a few high-tops, as well as a beer garden and patio “designed to be respectful of neighbors, with clear controls around hours, lighting, music and overall noise.”

“We’re also planning a dedicated heritage component so it’s more than a typical taproom experience,” he said, “and a real way of giving back to the community. It will include programming, exhibits and demos.” That component will be called the Georgetown Heritage Brewing Center.

The Board of Selectmen has its regularly scheduled meeting tonight, Monday, Feb. 2, at 6:45 p.m.^* Listed on the agenda is a discussion item, “Discussion on Rules and Procedures for Sale of Town Property – Town Counsel,” which follows questions about a memo prepared by Wilton’s town attorney Nick Bamonte regarding the correct procedures for how the town must handle the sale of the historic building.

^*NOTE: This meeting is scheduled to begin 15 minutes earlier than the BOS meetings typically start.

Members of the public may attend and offer comment during public comment portions of the meeting at the start and end of BOS meeting, and can comment in person at Comstock Community Center (180 School Rd.) in Room 31 or via Zoom. The meeting agenda is available online.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of the article referred to the name of the brewery as the Georgetown Heritage Brewing Center. That is the name of the historic component within the brewery, which will actually be called Twelve Gods Brewery. The article has been updated accordingly.