Can prices going up due to tariffs

[BartOwl]

Willibald's co-founder was interviewed by CBC about costs of aluminum cans going up, due to tariffs and the fact that there aren't any manufacturers of cans in Canada. This means they have to import from the US, which is incurring the higher cost due to the tariff. Oh, tarrific.

[anthony9]

There was a piece in the National about all but one Canadian aluminum plants (foundries?) located in Quebec.

With finished goods being more lucrative, we should absolutely actively try to be involved with more tertiary industries.

[groulxsome]

Considering often the aluminum from Quebec (which will get tariffs going to the US) will be processed into cans by Ball or Crown and then shipped back to Canada (which might have counter tariffs) it's really closer to a 50-60% possible materials increase on aluminum cans (once on the raw material going out, then as finished cans coming back).

It's a good day to work in importing Chinese made cans, not so good for anyone else in the supply chain.

[seangm]

Time to bring back bottles! Also, I swear in an article interviewing Left Field and the impact of tariffs, they said they have a Canadian supply for cans and seemed to be ok at the moment so I figure there's at least one domestic manufacturer (not that it'll be enough).

Either way, it's a ripple effect no matter where materials are sourced. Gonna be a rocky road, but if any good comes out of all this, we'll see Canada bolster domestic manufacturing and diversify trading partners, ultimately reducing reliance on the US.

[JerCraigs]

Part of the problem is if you asked the average person right now if they would pay an extra 5 or 10 cents a can to support a brewery using a Canadian can manufacturer people would cheer it. Six months ago, most people wouldn't have. In fairness, it's not like there is a little sticker on the cans explaining pricing structures, or that some breweries have made living wage commitments etc. but it's tough to get people into the mentality of not asking "Why is X more expensive?" but rather "Why is Y so much cheaper than the others?"

[Cass]

Time to bring back bottles!

I thought about this very thing! Perhaps it helps breweries that may still bottle, but the move in retail away from bottles to cans will be so hard to change.

I wonder if any small breweries kept their bottling lines. Maybe it would be an option for at-brewery sales to save some canning.

[Tapsucker]

It surprises me to hear there is no domestic can manufacturing. It's not like making a can is as hard as a vaccine. I doubt the equipment cost is even that crazy. While I understand a large US manufacturer can probably price well due to critical mass, there is still a huge beverage industry in Canada that would be target customers. Baffling to me...

[anthony9]

It surprises me to hear there is no domestic can manufacturing. It's not like making a can is as hard as a vaccine. I doubt the equipment cost is even that crazy. While I understand a large US manufacturer can probably price well due to critical mass, there is still a huge beverage industry in Canada that would be target customers. Baffling to me...

Quebec really needs to do this. They opened a cement factory without an environmental review. Certainly they can open a can factory with all their aluminum plants.

[groulxsome]

Time to bring back bottles!

I thought about this very thing! Perhaps it helps breweries that may still bottle, but the move in retail away from bottles to cans will be so hard to change.

I wonder if any small breweries kept their bottling lines. Maybe it would be an option for at-brewery sales to save some canning.

Old Credit Brewing in Mississauga still does 341 mL and 650 mL bomber bottles, alongside 473 mL cans for distribution.

Bottles can be returned and are washed/sanitized and reused to the retail shop. They also sell and fill growlers.

[Craig]

Maybe this will encourage someone to bring back growlers. It's been ages since I've seen one of them!

[Cass]

Maybe this will encourage someone to bring back growlers. It's been ages since I've seen one of them!

Oh man, I don't think I've had a growler since COVID lockdown days. I used to get Greenwood growlers from Beertown. Can't remember the last time I had one from a brewery.

[MatttthewGeorge]

Only growlers I've picked up in post-covid times are from Block 3, but even that's pretty rare.

[El Pinguino]

This growler talk reminds me I was going to take advantage of the Rhino growler deal, but remembered the annoying "must buy food" part.
https://www.therhino.ca/draft

Rhino Growler Takeout 32oz!
Order draught to go – introducing the Rhino Growler Takeout 32oz! Get a 32oz to-go for the price of a 20oz glass – requires purchase of Rhino growler for $4.99. Once purchased, bring your empty clean Rhino growler and we will refill it for the price of a 20oz glass of draught (exceptions apply, see price list). Growlers can only be purchased between 12 noon and 11PM. All takeout orders require the purchase of food – minimum food order is a bag of chips.

[S. St. Jeb]

Manitoba's craft brewers hazy and a little bitter over U.S. tariff threats and potential impacts

[anthony9]

Doug Ford should tease plans for a rolling aluminum plant to get Legault to spring into action. Quebec doesn't always need environmental reviews, so it shoud be quick.