The Alberta government has announced a change to the province’s liquor policies: craft beers and spirits will be coming to farmers’ and artisan markets.
“Effective August 15, small brewers and distillers will be able to register and market their products at approved farmers’ and artisan markets throughout Alberta,” Finance Minister Joe Ceci said in Calgary Thursday.
Watch below: Alberta Minister of Finance Joe Ceci announces the details on how the government is streamlining the liquor licensing process.
Ceci said the decision as to which and how many liquor manufacturers are allowed to sell at which markets rests solely with the individual markets.
There are 92 liquor manufacturers in the province and “many have expressed a desire” to sell at such markets, the province said.
“This opportunity is especially important to the smallest producers, who would appreciate being able to garner attention in the local community and expose their products to new customers.”
Ceci said the government is also cutting red tape and streamlining the regulatory process by harmonizing manufacturing licence types.
“Instead of some small manufacturers requiring a different licence type, for example a cottage winery licence and a brewpub licence, all manufacturers will now have a single manufacturing licence type.”
Watch below: Alain Maisonneuve, acting president & CEO, AGLC, calls the announcement that craft beers and spirits can be sold at farmers’ markets a “win win” for consumers and brewers.