John Yap again mentioned today in a press conference that the main recommendation coming from the Provincial Liquor Review would be booze in supermarkets. Naturally this is something that people in BC want and it seems crazy that it has been illegal for so long. If we look past the fact that they won’t be adding new licences which is it’s own issue, let’s consider the broader legacy of this decision.
CAMRA BC – Vancouver Branch warmly welcomes the recommendation to allow alcohol to be sold in supermarkets and we’re very pleased that Mr. Yap and the BC Liberal Government have decided to listen to the public on this rather than just the well funded pressure groups and party donors.
However before you look forward to picking up a 6 pack of Gypsy Tears or growler of Powell Street IPA at Safeway or even making a selection from aisles of bombers like in Washington and Oregon, I’m afraid I’ll have to bust your bubble. The cloud in this silver lining is that these prime spots in supermarkets will inevitably be taken commercial brewing corporations who can afford to buy whole shelves and stock only their bland bulk or wholly-owned crafty beer labels, this because they have the power, money and product to dominate the (super)market. Even if BC’s craft brewers wanted to have stock at supermarkets only a few have the production capacity to get their beer distributed in the volume required. Beer will also have to fight for it’s space with wine and hard liquor which often provide more profit for the store and revenue for the government.
The private liquor stores spokespeople have been quick to denounce the changes and I’m sure that both the government liquor stores and these LRS’s will notice a drop in turnover initially. However (as usual) they have missed the opportunity that this change could bring: by changing their focus away from corporate products and shifting emphasis to stocking locally produced BC craft beer they will find themselves attracting a more profitable customer base. Many private liquor stores have found that their profit margins improved as sophisticated consumers look for quality craft-beer and don’t mind paying a bit of a premium to support BC craft-breweries. The market for beer is continually changing and all liquor stores should look to adapt by joining and supporting their the local craft-beer community.
CAMRA BC – Vancouver Branch looks forward to more of these sensible changes and greater liberalisation of BC’s embarrassingly antiquated liquor laws, especially those that will provide a better craft-beer culture for the people of this great Province.
Adam Chatburn
President, CAMRA BC – Vancouver Branch
Leave a Reply