The Saskatchewan Craft Brewers Association was unable to reach a deal that would allow craft beer at Mosaic Stadium. This comes after months of negotiations with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Regina Exhibition Association Ltd (REAL) and the City of Regina.
“To this day, I still don’t know where it went wrong. I don’t know why they would publicly state that it was going to happen, and it doesn’t appear that there was any real plan to do that,” Rebelling Brewing Company Brew Master Mark Heise said.
District Brewing Company GM Joe Van Heerden says he is disappointed but not really surprised craft beer won’t be sold at the stadium.
“It’s David verses Goliath, there is nothing we can do… As employees and citizens of Regina we are paying for that stadium, yet our services are declined because a big company put some money up.”
READ MORE: Battle for craft brewers looking to sell beer in the new Mosaic Stadium in Regina
That ‘big company’ is Molson Coors, which has exclusive rights to sell beer at events.
The City of Regina issued a statement that said:
“The City of Regina, who owns the stadium, granted sponsorship rights to the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club in 2013 as part of its lease agreement. The sponsorship rights include exclusive pouring rights in the stadium.
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The football club, and the operators of the stadium, Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL), presented two options last month that would have allowed Saskatchewan-made craft beer to be poured at all major events, including Rider home games.
Unfortunately, SCBA has decided to not move forward with either of these options.”
“We had our hopes up with the chance to build a new stadium to do things a little bit differently, you know, that it would also happen in Saskatchewan… We just got really excited that we could showcase our talents on an international level,” Heise said.
Van Heerden still holds out hope to crack open a cold one of his own at the stadium.
“In 10 years’ time when the Molson contract is up… Hopefully… The city, REAL or the Saskatchewan Roughriders will open the bidding to other companies.”
READ MORE: Mosaic Stadium is officially open
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