The Bar Towel

OCB taking some steps to propose an alternative to the LCBO/BS model. If this goes anywhere, it'd be pretty exciting.

Press release here: http://www.ontariocraftbrewers.com/pres ... hannel.php

I liked Ben's take on it, and his coverage of the bewildering OCB tasting event at the Ontario legislature: http://bensbeerblog.com/2015/03/23/the- ... es-please/

I'm just not sure which Yes is the real Yes.

Ideally, we want as many options as possible. It's foolish to assume that yes on this means no on grocery stores. You want both because there's going to be more growth and brewers who do not realize they need the additional shelf space will realize it eventually. Cross selling would benefit the smaller craft brewers and grocery stores would benefit the large ones.

I assume giving the OCB any special rights could prompt a NAFTA challenge. All breweries should have the same rights if you're practicing free trade, which is fine with me.

Inkling wrote:I assume giving the OCB any special rights could prompt a NAFTA challenge. All breweries should have the same rights if you're practicing free trade, which is fine with me.

Glad you mentioned NAFTA, because the press sure hasn't in any of the latest coverage. Closest thing I've seen is this Twitter exchange:

Wondering if anyone has any insight here: Is the idea dead in the water, or can things be adjusted to accommodate it? Should Canada pull out of NAFTA just to allow more local beer sales (☑ Yes ☑ Yes)? What are the chances our NAFTA partners will be like, "You know what, you guys can have this. Dos Equis already sells way better than it should"?

Know what, ferk NAFTA I'm still paying fecktard import fees and taxes on every minor purchase I order the USA, and have to drive a good distance away to pick it up on top of that so the paranoid tax weasels make sure I pay those commies up front (while they also pre-deduct my income tax and I lend them my tax refund all year for free.)

We can opt out of NAFTA any time we like with a due notice, it's not the eleventh commandment or some shite. Of course LOL.

As a homebrewer, yes, I may start to buy beer again if OCB are allowed their own stores. Bloody politicians just have too much say in this. Allow OCB stores and step away Ont gov't and let capitalism take it's course. Until then, enjoying tax free homebrew on tap.

Giving the trade group OCB the privilege of their own stores is hardly letting capitalism run its course. Letting any brewer in the province would be a lot closer, but that's still a distorted market. If you want to let capitalism run its course, just allow private stores and be done with it.

Craig wrote:Giving the trade group OCB the privilege of their own stores is hardly letting capitalism run it's course. Letting any brewer in the province would be a lot closer, but that's still a distorted market. If you want to let capitalism run it's course, just allow private stores and be done with it.

Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!