The Bar Towel

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/s ... years.html

This pretty much says what my impression has been from news-bits over the years - improved selection and access, but no drop in prices.

Yup, the selection is vast, but only really in a handful of stores (at least for me in Edmonton). But the pricing is high, which is the first thing I noticed when I moved here 3 years ago. And it's getting higher! A new product has just come into some stores here, Thwaites Lancaster Bomber; one of my favourite UK ales. It's a 4 pack and is on the shelf for $18.99......for 4 cans!

The selection in Ontario is nowhere near what we have in Alberta, as we all know, but when I see the same products on offer for up to $5.00 less at LCBO, it's a little annoying. Bottles of Deus are $30.00+ here, and constantly in stock!

I know a lot of Onatarian's are crying out for privatisation, but I don't think they'll be prepared for the hike in prices. You're $13.99 6 pack of US micro will almost likely raise to $17.99, maybe as high as $19.99 as we have here.

I love the selection here, and the constant stream of new beers coming in almost weekly, but the pricing is beginning to really hurt. Sometimes, it's better the devil you know.

Torontoblue wrote:Bottles of Deus are $30.00+ here, and constantly in stock!

Nevermind the fact that governments should govern, not monopolize industries, I'd rather pay $10 more for something that's "constantly in stock" than $10 less for something that's never in stock.

So if its always in stock, is there a lot of old stock on the shelves? I'd hate to be paying a premium price for stale product.

There is a fair bit of old stock of any product hanging around. This is one of the reasons I stopped shopping at Sherbrooke. Sure, they get the new stuff in, and have the biggest selection of beers in Canada, but when you can't trust the age of stuff on the shelf.....

Torontoblue wrote:I know a lot of Onatarian's are crying out for privatisation, but I don't think they'll be prepared for the hike in prices. You're $13.99 6 pack of US micro will almost likely raise to $17.99, maybe as high as $19.99 as we have here.

I am caring less than ever whether we privatize so long as the pressure on the LCBO to improve is having an effect here. Our LC selection has changed so much in 10 years as to be unrecognizable, and there appears to be costant development.

Why change all this on a stand of principle... I'm curious to see where things are going, at least for the near term. Best of both worlds would be nice. I still find the number of locations with good selection too few but again, let's see if there's progress.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't liquor still distributed in Alberta by a government agency? I recall being told that's why the prices are so high.

If so, how would that change availability? Let's say Ontario adopted the same model and the LCBO became the distributor. Wouldn't we still be stuck with their purchasing and stocking policies?

The AGLC do still control the registration of alcohol products, distribution & in effect, sales in Alberta. I've yet to have an issue with the registration of any product in Alberta.

All imported liquor (abroad and from other Provinces) is warehoused and distributed by Connect Logistics. But, any agency is still able to register, for a small fee, and bring in any product as long as it follows the Government guidelines; bottle size, alcohol content etc etc. There is no interference from AGLC or Connect with regards to placing orders, we are free to bring in what we want of registered products.

Really though, AGLC/Connect just facilitate the storage & movement of alcohol. Every week we receive a payment from AGLC for all sales, storage and handling of OUR product.