BC Craft Brewers Guild Welcomes Opportunity
BC Craft Brewers Guild Welcomes Expanded Opportunities for Province-wide BC Jobs resulting from Grocery Store Availability Announcement
For Immediate Release March 6, 2014 – download as PDF here
Vancouver, BC – The BC Craft Brewers Guild is encouraged by BC government’s recent announcement of its plan to allow the sale of BC VQA wines on BC grocery store shelves, along with considering the addition of BC Craft Beer when a standardized quality assurance program has been developed.
“The Premier and Government have listened to BC consumers asking for availability VQA wine in aisles of grocery stores, with the potential for BC Craft Beer in the future. The opportunity for people to enjoy or discover great-tasting BC Craft Beer also presents a real opportunity to increase BC jobs and investment in communities throughout BC” said Ken Beattie, Executive Director, BC Craft Brewers Guild.
“One of the benefits of craft brewing is that it’s not limited to a specific climate, so BC Craft Breweries are popping up all over BC often providing much-needed BC jobs and investments and previously unrealized tourism and economic growth opportunities. This will increased profile through expanded availability will create a win-win for our members and their communities.”
BC Craft Breweries and craft beer-owned brewpubs employ over 2,000 people throughout BC and have invested over $100 million in equipment and expansion in the past two years alone. In 2013, 10 new craft breweries opened. In 2014, 21 new Craft Breweries are expected to open around the province—representing 30% growth with an additional projected investment of $50 million dollars.
To support the successful realization of this potential economic driver, the Craft Brewers Guild looks forward to working with government to establish guidelines around the criteria for “BC Craft Beer” and this new program. This is consistent with the BC Liquor Policy Review Final Report and key recommendations, specifically recommendation 26 which states:
“We will be working with Government to establish a quality assurance program for BC craft beer and artisan-distilled spirits (similar to the VQA wine program).”
Brewing and shelf space in BC has traditionally been dominated by large mega breweries, once Canadian owned but long since purchased by foreign interests. These breweries have, until recently, monopolized and dominated the beer landscape through significant investment in advertising, retail presence and even government relations. Profits from their success do not stay here in B.C. but are siphoned off to foreign owners. Recently, British Columbians tastes have turned to more flavorful, premium, BC craft beers.
“In short, BC Craft Brewers invest in BC. We create local jobs, pay local taxes, and support local businesses and communities. Throughout North America, our local BC craft beers are being recognized, and we now look forward to the opportunity to showcase our local products on the grocery store shelves and to generate even further economic activity here at home,” said Beattie.
About The BC Craft Brewers Guild
The BC Craft Beer Guild represents BC Craft Brewers through the province. Some are small, and others even smaller, but all brew flavorful, local beer with passion and dedication. BC Craft Breweries and their brewpubs employ more than 2,000 people who help create and serve BC Craft Beer. The mission of the BC Craft Brewers Guild is to support the creation and discovery of truly great BC Craft Beer through supportive legislation, education, public awareness and the responsible enjoyment of our Craft Beer.
For more information, please contact:
Ken Beattie
Executive Director
t: 604.306.1500
e: moc.reebtfarccb@ofni
Karen Cook
Public Relations
t: 604.551.9074
e: moc.snoitalercilbupkooc@nerak
Categorized Announcements, Education, Government