The board may of its own motion, and shall upon written request of any applicant for distillery certificate broker permit or for renewal thereof whose application for such permit or renewal has been refused, fix a time and place for hearings of such application for permit or for renewal thereof, notice of which hearing shall be sent by registered mail to the applicant at the address given in his application. Such hearing shall be before the board or a member thereof. At such hearing, the board shall present its reasons for its refusal or withholding a permit or renewal thereof. The applicant may appear in person or by counsel, cross-examine the witnesses of the board, and may present evidence which shall be subject to cross-examination by the board. Such hearings shall be stenographically recorded. The board shall thereupon grant or refuse the permit or renewal thereof. If the board shall refuse such permit or renewal following such hearing, notice in writing of such refusal shall be sent by registered mail to the applicant at the address given in his application. In all such cases, the board shall file of record at least a brief statement in the form of an opinion of the reasons for the ruling or order and furnish a copy thereof to the applicant.