Craft & Growlers

In a sea of a thousand cideries spanning North America, a small but determined group from BC are taking the market by storm, and attracting the attention of discerning consumers.

A focus on local beer has long been important to the new wave of breweries in Canada, the US and across the world.

As craft beer slowly picks away at the overall market share of beer sales, it has become commonly accepted among craft brewers that the success of one brewery is good for all other craft breweries.

Visitor spending on food and beverage in Alberta accounts for 28% of tourism expenditures in the province and the government wants craft breweries to be an attraction that will further develop culinary tourism in Alberta.

Effective August 15, 2017, amended policy will bring Alberta craft beers and spirits to approved farmers’ markets alongside cottage wine, which is already approved to be sold at these venues. “This policy builds a new connection between local business and their local community while increasing access to locally-made liquor products.

Sales from April to June 2017 showed a whopping 14.9% increase in Micro-brewed beer over 2016, and Canadian wine increased volume sales 6.6%. Gin was another strong growth leader with a 10% increase. The figures…

First craft beer, then craft spirits. BC is in a golden age for those who like to indulge. Many distillers in BC started off with unaged spirits, because something has to pay the bills. By law, whisky in Canada has to be at least three years old, so distilleries have to do more than just wait for their spirits to mature. Clear spirits are also quite popular in North America, and with the booming cocktail culture, possibilities are endless for craft spirit producers. Here are some examples of unique and delectable bottlings in BC.

Canadian wine sales are soaring in liquor stores with a 36.1% increase over last year, but pubs and restaurants show the reverse trend with a decrease of 3.6%. This trend shows that the hospitality industry is slow to follow consumers’ preference to enjoy Canadian wine, not just that produced in BC.

With recent regulation changes, Alberta is entering a brewing renaissance of sorts. Over the last couple of years, we have seen over 20 new craft breweries open in Alberta (with over 50 additional breweries currently in various stages of development). Along with this, we have seen a new wave of innovation that is both refreshing and incredibly exciting.

Third quarter stats are now out from BC LDB, and Canadian wines and local Micro Brews continue to show strong growth, particularly in LRS locations. Canadian wines didn’t experience the same strong sales trends in the hospitality sector, however.

It’s an off-season Thursday night at the Park Distillery in Banff, and the joint is jumping as if it was a holiday weekend in the height of summer. Servers are slammed, getting samplers of craft vodka, gin and un-aged rye out to thirsty customers. Guests lean over to their neighbours’ tables, asking perfect strangers what they’re drinking.

Looking for an extraordinary Brunello di Montalcino to tuck away in the cellar? An intriguing craft brew for taco Tuesday? A wide-ranging selection of vino for your restaurant's by-the-glass list? Calgary's Highlander Wine &…