VALPARAISO | A software engineer hopes to change a hobby into a new career with the opening of Figure Eight Brewing in the fall.

Tom Uban said he started home-brewing beer in 1983, and, after 26 years of practice, decided to try his hand at it commercially. He hopes to open a microbrewery in a 1,400-square-foot facility in the new strip center at 1555 Lincolnway.

"It seemed like Valparaiso needed one," Uban said. "There is one in LaPorte. There is one in Michigan City. There's one is Hobart, and there was one in Aberdeen for a while. Valparaiso needs something like this."

The Figure Eight branded brews are named after the figure eight knot used for in rock climbing -- another of his passions. He plans to start with a couple of different types of beer and eventually branch out as the business grows. He also plans to offer tours of the microbrewery, samples and other products, like T-shirts.

Uban, 48, said his beer "is not all about mass marketing and convincing everyone what calories are all about. It's like going to a store and picking a bottle of wine. It will have flavor, and you can put your nose to it and it will have different scents."

Planning Director Craig Phillips said the city's Site Review Committee had no major concerns with Uban's "seven-barrel system" other than to make sure he had proper fire separation between the brewing area and the sales area. The sewer department also wanted information on pretreatment of the waste.

Public Works Director Don DeTorrice talked to Uban about the possibility of using the mash waste for the composting operation the city is considering starting.

Uban, who was born and raised in Valparaiso and is a Purdue University graduate, said he hopes to have the microbrewery open by October. The only employee he plans to have to start is his wife, Lynne. He won't be quitting his day job until he's sure the new venture works but said eventually hopes it will be his full-time job.