LCBO / The Beer Store

[gabe]

I spoke to a local manager and rearranged their wine list to suit my taste....... I also gave them notes on what would sell widely and why and how to market it. I got two

And i have spoke to people at the LCBO to get some BC wines or Quebec craft beer over the years and it's always a "NO" Yet i have no trouble buying them them in Buffalo NY.

 

[Northern Light]

So it's the LCBO fault alright.

For insisting on a minimum amount of craft beer?

I'm not being argumentative here. I don't get what you're after. Stores can sell 100% craft beer if they want, right now.

Now it is true, that requirement is only for Ontario product; and while you can get international or other provincial craft stuff, it has to be in the LCBO catalogue, and yes, their out-of-province craft selection is thin.

If you want stuff added to the catalogue.......tell them.

If you want to more broadly boost craft beer from across Canada, this is the moment with anti-U.S. kick on-going......ask the Premier (he loves doing stuff to goose booze sales) .... how about.....ON Craft beer quota stays at 20%, but we introduce a new quota of another 20% craft from anywhere in Canada, including Ontario, so 40% craft becomes the quota.

Here's his contact page. Stuff gets read:

https://correspondence.premier.gov.on.ca/EN/feedback/default.aspx

And i have spoke to people at the LCBO to get some BC wines or Quebec craft beer over the years and it's always a "NO" Yet i have no trouble buying them them in Buffalo NY.

Historically, both of those provinces didn't do the Ontario Wine/Beer industry any favours. BC lifted its restrictions a couple of years back, Quebec is still pretty weak on VQA product, its reciprocal.

Yes, its stupid, hopefully that will be fixed shortly and your request will be treated more favourably.

 

[ShonTron]

Quebec knocks it out of the park imo, with even some of the grocery stores having huge amounts of craft beer. Some people have a selection at their nearby dep (dépanneur), or incredible shops like Broue Ha Ha in Gatineau and the small chain of Le Monde des Bières stores around Quebec City.

Some images from Google Maps/Facebook
Broue Ha Ha
View attachment 635793

Broue Ha Ha in Gatineau is excellent, though not cheap - as I have cousins who live in Hull, I have definitely been several times. There are deps in Montreal known for their beer selections, though they focus on Quebec craft brews, of which there are many. Back when I still travelled to Buffalo, I would go to Premier Gourmet in Amherst, next to Premier Wine & Spirits. The Gourmet side was a odd assortment of kitchenwares, spices and pastas, and an excellent beer selection, sorted by state and country of origin, with a walk-in fridge of WNY craft beers in multipacks.

We just don't have anything like that in Ontario. Some LCBOs have good local beer selections, at least.

 

[evandyk]

We can get really good beer from breweries, the LCBO and grocery stores. But no beer connoisseur would compare our craft beer availability to the American market.

 

[gabe]

I'm not being argumentative here. I don't get what you're after. Stores can sell 100% craft beer if they want, right now.

I asked my local Loblaws. They said no. Could you phone them and tell them they are wrong? here is the phone number 1-800-296-2332.

 

[Northern Light]

I asked my local Loblaws. They said no. Could you phone them and tell them they are wrong? here is the phone number 1-800-296-2332.

I have a different number..........

I'm not going to argue w/their 'customer service rep'. LOL

That said, here, or privately, sent me a list of what you want, that IS offered by the LCBO currently.

They can't bring in what isn't in the LCBO catalogue, but LCBO does carry a lot of Ontario Craft Brew, even if its less than they should.

 

[christiesplits]

Beer Store closing five locations in Ontario. A sign of things to come?

John Nock, the president of UFCW Local 12R24, the union that represents Beer Store workers across the province, wrote in an email to the Star that the “price stability” that the Beer Store brings “will be at risk.”

“I anticipate this fall up to 100 more closures,” Nock said.

Beer Store to close five locations next month, including ones in Kitchener and London

Beer Store locations in Corunna, Hearst and Erin are also among the locations set to close their doors in April, the company confirmed.

www.thestar.com

 

[Northern Light]

Beer Store closing five locations in Ontario. A sign of things to come?

Beer Store to close five locations next month, including ones in Kitchener and London

Beer Store locations in Corunna, Hearst and Erin are also among the locations set to close their doors in April, the company confirmed.

www.thestar.com

There are lots more coming.........100 is a low-ball.

I'm personally aware of several that are not yet announced, a few of which I don't think will be cut in the next round as they are owned properties and better traffic locations.......but the plans are already in motion.

Several sites have also been sold some as long as seven or eight years ago and have been operating on short-term leasebacks.

 

[Smoke2011]

If you want more Craft on grocery store shelves, contact Ford and have him require more shelf space for craft. Loblaws is going to stay with the products that sell Flying Monkey, Muskoka, Steam Whistle, etc. I carry Side Lauch Wheat but for every one case I move I can do about 5 cases of Blue Moon.

 

[ShonTron]

There are lots more coming.........100 is a low-ball.

I'm personally aware of several that are not yet announced, a few of which I don't think will be cut in the next round as they are owned properties and better traffic locations.......but the plans are already in motion.

Several sites have also been sold some as long as seven or eight years ago and have been operating on short-term leasebacks.

Brewers Retail has a lot of real estate. I bet a few of these locations announced are owned, especially the small towns like Hearst and Arkona.

 

[Towered]

The craft beer selection in the US is second to none. For innovation, it blows away the conservative Europeans, who are traditionally considered to make the best beers.

 

[PL1]

The craft beer selection in the US is second to none. For innovation, it blows away the conservative Europeans, who are traditionally considered to make the best beers.

Most of the positive experimentation has (IMHO) been in the IPA part of the market. I'd say the best lagers/pilsners (at least to my taste) are in the Czech, German, or Austrian styles (see Godspeed Brewery). Actually, some of the Italian style pilsners are newish (I think) and are quite good.

Anyway, drink what you like, but it's great to try different.

 

[afransen]

We can get really good beer from breweries, the LCBO and grocery stores. But no beer connoisseur would compare our craft beer availability to the American market.

When I visited Texas, I found it very difficult to find decent craft beers there. Even in a mega liquor store. Your typical Loblaws has over 100.

 

[evandyk]

When I visited Texas, I found it very difficult to find decent craft beers there. Even in a mega liquor store. Your typical Loblaws has over 100.

One of the absolute legends of craft beer went to Texas (from Belgium, where he had revived brewing in Hoegaarden) to open his brewery. Austin is a mecca for any beer enthusiast.

Pierre Celis - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

Before prohibition in Ontario, 1916 ( until 1927), most beer, wine, and other alcohol products, were sold in convenience stores and bars, to take home. Eaton's Department stores did not sell alcohol, tobacco, or playing cards, because he was a devout Methodist (now part of the United Church). Self serve supermarkets did not appear until after 1919.

Beer stores and the LCBO were corporate entities that showed up to sell alcohol, instead of the mom-n-pop stores, after 1927. Today, supermarkets or corporations started alcohol. Only now are convenience stores are returning into the alcohol business that they used to handle. Could one take home a bottle from bars, like they do in Europe?