Craft beer market thriving in B.C. thanks to provincial support

B.C. loves craft beer, and thanks to the seemingly unending thirst British Columbians have for quality brews, the province’s craft beer market is strong – and getting stronger.

On April 1, 2015 changes to the Liquor Policy Review removed some of the barriers keeping small-scale breweries from growing with their demand. The changes included allowing brewers to sell their products at places like farmers’ markets, or secondary tasting rooms. It also allowed a more gradual increase to mark-up rates for beer production, allowing smaller operations to produce the amount of product necessary to support and sustain their businesses.

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These changes have made a definite impact. Since April 1, BC Liquor Stores have reported a 50% increase in craft beer sales from small-scale breweries, compared to this  time last year. Sales from medium-scale saw 19% increase. In fact craft beer sales in B.C. have almost tripled in the last five years.

The process of acquiring a license for a brewery was also streamlined and simplified in the Liquor Policy Review. In 2015 alone, 12 new breweries have received their license to brew beer in B.C.

Kelowna, a region well-known for its vineyards and winemakers, has seen a recent boom in the number of breweries and the demand for craft beer. In Vancouver, the popularity of Brewery Tours has taken ales, lagers, and stouts to a level previously only seen in the world of the sommelier, and events like Craft Beer Week have thrust appreciation for unique brews into the public sphere.

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“This is a thriving industry in our province and we want to help ensure its growth continues,” said John Yap, Parliamentary Secretary for Liquor Policy Reform in a media release.

“British Columbians clearly enjoy craft beer – particularly on hot summer days – and our government recognizes the need to help this industry be successful,” continued Yap. “With the changes we have implemented as part of the Liquor Policy Review, I am confident craft brewers across B.C. will continue to grow and expand, create new jobs, and enjoy continued success in the marketplace.”