LCBO - Discover Ontario Craft Beer

TJ · Post by TJ » Wed Sep 16, 2009 8:49 pm

I was in an Ajax LCBO today and noticed this:

http://lcbo.ca/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/de ... ber=695221

Has anyone here watched it and is it worth picking up?

I also noticed a prominent 4' wide Ontario beers section when I walked in, and I picked up a "Local Beers - The Pride Of Ontario" brochure that features Hockley Valley, Creemore, Mill Street, Sleeman, Great Lakes, etc.

Also their website seems to focus on the whole local trend:

http://lcbo.ca/main/en.shtml

And even has a message from Dalton Mcguinty.

So my second question is, does the LCBO do enough to carry and promote Ontario craft beer?

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:43 pm

I bought it years ago.

If you know much about the local scene, you probably won't learn much.

The LCBO has really promoted Canadian wines... it's great they're finally doing something for our brewers as well!

TJ · Post by TJ » Thu Sep 17, 2009 9:10 am

That's what I figured. Thanks Derek.

Ghost542 · Post by **Ghost542** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 1:42 pm

They don't do nearly enough to promote Ontario Brewers unless your name starts with Molson or Labatts.

I've raised the point before to my manager etc that we go all out of the way for Ontario Wines (not that we shouldn't...the public perception of them is horrible), but NOTHING special is done for the OCB or anyone else for that matter, other then that token "Discovery Pack". Our planograms would not even have any product in the fridges if they have their way (I set aside some space for some..not nearly enough).

Case in point...as we were setting up the current period's displays, it came to my attention the above mentioned space for the Ontario Beers, which is in a very prominent place in the store. No one bothered to tell me this was happening so that I could order stock to fill it. Luckily I had enough to get it started, and got some new stock ordered, but it would have been nice to have known before hand this was happening.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 10:43 am

Ghost542 wrote:
Our planograms would not even have any product in the fridges if they have their way (I set aside some space for some..not nearly enough).

It's shocking how BROAD the cooler shelf spacing is for major brands, even when the spaces are half-empty - obviously major brands receive a kind of unquestioning acceptance from the lesser (can we say dismal) LCBO stores. Why on earth would a particular store sabotage the entire promotion or a beer by being completely ignorant of it, in favor of giant amounts of Corona and Bud Light Lime?

It's getting better though, and my local Beaches A-store now regularly sets aside at least ONE sixer-length of cooler for the good 'Gen. List' stuff (Hoptical, Dogfish, Tier, Prima, Propeller.) They even try to put seasonals in there, so you can bring home cold Eggenberg, Weltenburger, ST Raspberry, Christoffel... You can see some days they are still struggling with the constant re-arrangement, but the higher intelligence and enthusiasm of this location earns some respect points. They seem to know their stuff and keep learning it.

(This can only be good for creating rapid local successes such as Hoptical.)

Ghost542 wrote: .... we go all out of the way for Ontario Wines (not that we shouldn't...the public perception of them is horrible).

... and maybe some are. One has to sort the good from bad with our more affordable wines, too (the price-point most people will buy) - some ARE poor, even a few carrying the assuring-looking 'VQA' logo on the capsule.

But there are for sure vastly under-appreciated wines from vintners like Malivoire, Ch. des Charmes, and Pelham. We could expand on that discussion in UNCORKED if anybody has a wealth of good suggestions... I will certainly listen in!

Lager Bore · Post by **Lager Bore** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 11:45 am

Belgian wrote:
Ghost542 wrote:
It's getting better though, and my local Beaches A-store now regularly sets aside at least ONE sixer-length of cooler for the good 'Gen. List' stuff (Hoptical, Dogfish, Tier, Prima, Propeller.) They even try to put seasonals in there, so you can bring home cold Eggenberg, Weltenburger, ST Raspberry, Christoffel... You can see some days they are still struggling with the constant re-arrangement, but the higher intelligence and enthusiasm of this location earns some respect points. They seem to know their stuff and keep learning it.

(This can only be good for creating rapid local successes such as Hoptical.)

Ghost542 wrote: .... we go all out of the way for Ontario Wines (not that we shouldn't...the public perception of them is horrible).
... and maybe some are. One has to sort the good from bad with our more affordable wines, too (the price-point most people will buy) - some ARE poor, even a few carrying the assuring-looking 'VQA' logo on the capsule.

But there are for sure vastly under-appreciated wines from vintners like Malivoire, Ch. des Charmes, and Pelham. We could expand on that discussion in UNCORKED if anybody has a wealth of good suggestions... I will certainly listen in!

Re Beaches store, you're talking about the one at the Off Track Betting? I can't think of a better one in the area.

Re Ontario wines, an anecdote. I visited Maryniessen (sp?) and really enjoyed their wine. I asked the person behind the counter why their stuff wasn't listed in the LCBO. The answer was simple, and I didn't have a reply: "They take half."

Bullzie · Post by **Bullzie** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 3:20 pm

Recently here in the Niagara region we got a new LCBO, we it was a new store that consolidated two other stores. I have to say that I had high hopes that this brand new 'largest in the region' store would have a much better beer selection. My anticipation became even greater after reading a newspaper article that the new store would have room for an additional 700 products. Now, I am very much aware that I live in the heart of wine country, but wine isn't what I am after. After my first visit, I was very much disappointed. They had an "Ontario Craft Brew' section, full of the same stuff I can get everywhere else. How long will it take to get some beer variety in this part of the province?

Ale's What Cures Ya · Post by **Ale's What Cures Ya** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:37 pm

Bullzie wrote: How long will it take to get some beer variety in this part of the province?

Don't hold your breath. The LCBO couldn't care less about good beer.

Bullzie · Post by **Bullzie** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:44 pm

DragonOfBlood wrote:
Bullzie wrote: How long will it take to get some beer variety in this part of the province?
Don't hold your breath. The LCBO couldn't care less about good beer.

Well, I realize this. It would be great if OCB could open their own stores carrying only OCB products. I realize that I can special order in any item carried by the LCBO but most of the time it is a spur of the moment, I could go for this tonight, thing.

Queef · Post by **Queef** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:40 pm

when will people realize that everything is perfect the way it is? why would you want selection? why would you want quality? why would you want to decide for yourself what to buy when the government is perfectly capable of making those decisions for you? How much easier should they try and make it before you get it?

JesseM · Post by **JesseM** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:44 pm

Comrades! Progress! Yes! Our glorious state-run centralized system is envy of rest of world! Can't you see! Down with corrupt capitalist systems of alcohol distribution! Hoorah!

icemachine · Post by **icemachine** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:10 am

JesseM wrote:Comrades! Progress! Yes! Our glorious state-run centralized system is envy of rest of world! Can't you see! Down with corrupt capitalist systems of alcohol distribution! Hoorah!

I'll bring the pitchforks if you bring the kerosene torches

The Bar Towel

LCBO - Discover Ontario Craft Beer

LCBO - Discover Ontario Craft Beer

Niagara

Re: Niagara

Re: Niagara