The Sad State of Beer in Ontario
I went to Florida back in November and ever since then I’ve just been more and more frustrated about the state of beer in a country that’s supposed to be known for it. As you probably know, in Florida (and most states I believe) you can buy macrobrew beer at basically any convenience store or grocery store, and there are many specialty stores that sell local and international microbrew beer. We passed a gas station that had a sign boasting over 100 microbrews.
Coming back to Ontario I couldn’t help but notice the lack of choice. I’m restricted to buying beer from either the LCBO, The Beer Store, or breweries themselves. Not only that, but the selection is poor. The LCBO near me has one tiny aisle for local and international microbrew beer, and The Beer Store carries only a few brands of craft beer (not surprising considering that it’s owned by BRI – Brewer’s Retail International – a conglomerate of AB InBev, MolsonCoors, and Sapporo). /r/beer has really introduced me to a lot of quality of beers. Except that I can’t my hands on any of them. And it’s not like I’m out in the sticks, I live in the 8th largest city in Canada.
Because of this ridiculous set up I’ve been boycotting BRI brands whenever possible. These brands make up probably 95% of what’s available not only in the LCBO and The Beer Store, but also in many bars and restaurants who have struck licensing deals with Molson or Labatt (each owned by a larger international company). I went to an authentic-looking pub in Burlington last night and had a short conversation with our server that really pinpointed the situation.
Me: Do you have Steam Whistle? (A pilsner brewed in Toronto, about 40 minutes away)
Server: No.
Me: How about anything by Cameron’s? (A brewery in Oakville, maybe 4 or 5 highway exits away).
Server: No.
Me: Do you have anything that’s brewed around here?
Server: No.
I’m not really sure why I’m posting this except to get it off my chest and maybe motivate other Ontario residents to start getting mad about the state of beer in this province. Not only are we treated like children, we’re treated like dumb children. Half of the oligopoly on beer is owned by three foreign companies. Nearly all of our macrobrew beer that we’re supposed to be so proud of is owned by foreign companies (with the exception of Moosehead). We’re supposed to be thinking globally and acting locally, but when we buy these macro brew beers we’re funnelling our money into the pockets of huge international corporations and not our neighbours. The concept of eating local food is everywhere these days, but where’s the support for local beer? Where’s the support for choice?
Comments
Thanks for your comment Ted! Can you tell me which Beer Stores carry Flying Monkey's Hopitcal Illusion, Bell's Hopslam, or anything by Dogfish Head? I know these aren't all Ontario beers, but I've heard great things about them would love to try them.
Could you also recommend somewhere that I could legally purchase take-home beer after 10pm, before noon, or on certain holidays? It seems that if you had some competition I might have these options.
It's impressive that The Beer Store carries so many brands, but what's not impressive is that each individual Beer Store seems to carry and feature the same brands. No, you can't get Dogfish Head's 120 Minute IPA at Wal-Mart in the US, but you have the option of going to a privately owned specialty retailer and purchasing it there.
My complaint isn't that The Beer Store isn't a good store (by most accounts it is). My complaint is that if The Beer Store doesn't carry a certain brand, and the LCBO doesn't carry a certain brand, that certain brand is outside my reach. As an adult and as a consumer I find this unacceptable.
haha thanks for describing the operations of the Brewer's retail monopoly and its legally sanctioned/protected competitive advantage, Ted!
Maybe a better Idea would be for the LCBO or the brewer's retail to create a small subsiderary that specializes in independent/craft beer sales in small retail stores across ontario (on a regional demand basis). They could yank some of the microbrews collecting dust off the shelves at some lcbo's, certainly expand the list of brewers and supply each location with a wide variety of beer products. They might be small boutiques, but craft beer lovers will flock constantly. The problem is that the brewer's retail and the Lcbo take advantage of economies of scale (which enhances profit) but this might prevent them from retailing the wide variety of microbrews desired because the relative quantities are low and the unit costs are higher. Regardless, there is no reason why a small subsidiary like the one I proposed would not be profitable. Obviously not as profitable as the current retail stores, but I believe, like Sean, that consumers should have a bigger say in their preferences, for a) we're not only customers but also tax payers, they should be loving us! b) As the organization's continue to grow and monopolize, product differentiation will continue to be lowered to meet profit demands. So back down and give us our microbrew's, or you will be attacked by a flock of flying monkeys and a group drunken cameron's drinkers at corporate office! Let's mobilize people! we want our specially brewed, generously hopped beverages and we would like them right now please!
oops, my bad. I just learned that the brewer's retail is not owned by government. Apparently, the government is in their back pocket though: http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/454836
Sean,
Hoptical Illusion can definitely be found at most Barrie and areas stores but to get the full list of stores that products are available at, please visit thebeerstore.ca and click on stores and products. There is then a search area to select beers from and once a brand is selected, you can get package size availability, pricing, and a list of stores at which to find that product. Also on the web site is information regarding store hours -- there are stores throughout the province that are open past 10:00 p.m. on certain days. Clayton, we will be opening/piloting a Beer Boutique later this year in Liberty Village. We're hopeful that this unique new design that will feature an array of different brews (craft, import, domestic) will be a hit with customers.
I like the sounds of that Ted!
Hi Ted,
I think it's great that you guys are making the effort to expand into more specialty beers. The Beer Boutique sounds great. However, we shouldn't have to wait for The Beer Store to get with the program to have access to these beers. My issue isn't with the Beer Store itself, it's with the limited access that we have to beer retailers. It's ridiculous to expect that two chains (The Beer Store and the LCBO) can handle the diverse preferences of everyone in the province.
The Beer Store does a great job at selling a lot of beer that people want, but there's absolutely no reason why I shouldn't be able to pick up beer at a specialty food shop, the grocery store, or a small independent beer retailer. I don't want to wait for The Beer Store to slowly roll out new boutiques and acquire new brands as it sees fit, and I shouldn't have to.
Again, thanks for the comments, it's nice to know that you guys are listening. Incidentally, how did you find this?
I just received a Request for Tender for a "Beer Boutique" to be built at 120 Lynn-Williams Street, Toronto, ON!!! After visiting Vermont this past week and trying their many tasty beers, I too was left wondering why the Beer Store and LCBO seemed short on selection. If you get a chance, Magic Hat #9.
The Beer Store monopoly on retails sales in this province should be declared illegal. Anyone should be able to open a Craft Beer Store in Ontario. This brewery owned monopoly doesn't care about getting that great tasting beer made down the road into their stores. Just go into any Beer Store and look around. nothing but mega-swill in your face. They changed most of their self serve stores back to the 1960's style of selling beer. Their own brands are everywhere and if you really want a Craft Beer, go over and elbow your way around people bringing back their empties to look at pics of beer on the wall. I gave up on this store years ago. I make my own. I rarely go into this store now, and try to avoid it since they changed their stores back to the 1960's. Beer Boutique? Same old, same old.....
Here is a mom and pop store which has over 1000 beers in stock. Puts the Beer Store to shame. They brag over 350 brands for 13 million people. The people of Ontario are not being served,
period.
http://www.houseof1000beers.com/
Good find Chris. There's absolutely no reason that we shouldn't be able to have that in Ontario. Are teenage drunks going to run rampant in the streets because an independent store sells beer that's probably too expensive and too strong-tasting for them anyway? I don't think so.
This prohibition-era morality mixed with protecting non-Canadian big business interests is just insane. I wish more people would realize that.
I have been to many Craft Beer stores in the US and even Alaska. Some were small and most were big. They all carried a wide variety of Craft Beer. The one thing that stood out was that the big US breweries were not in your face when you walked in. Yes, Bud, and Bud Light were there, but Craft Beer was the main focus in most of these wonderful stores. They were owned and run by real people, not by big breweries like here in Ontario. It was refreshing to walk from aisle to aisle to see interesting beers from all over the US and the world. 1000 brands of real Craft Beer in a state of only 5 million people. We in Ontario are definitely losers in the Craft Beer market. I blame it totally on our gutless gov't and the Brewers Retail monopoly.
`the beer store` has become a joke in this province. since opening up those big ass stores on selected corners with the 100% return policy, i`ve found myself many times lined up behind dozens of peeps returning everything but beer bottles in the designated return check-out while the other two check-outs for purchasing beer are, 99% of the time, sitting idle with no one available to serve you.
why the hell don`t they have return depots for returns only and get on with doing what they are there for, to sell the friggin stuff??
Why would they waste money on opening another till? What are you gonna do, go to the competition? Ha!
I wish the Ontario Craft Brewers would put more pressure on our gutless gov't to open Craft Beer stores here in Ontario. At least give it a try, maybe give it a good fight anyway. Get the word out and the people of Ontario may get behind them. We just have to break the monopoly the "Kingpins" who run the Beer Store have in this province. Competition is not a bad thing.
I think you need money and numbers to put that kind of pressure on the government, and the OCB has neither. The number of people who have no idea the beer store is owned by three foreign companies, and who also think that "beer" is synonymous with "macro brew lager" is staggering. If you asked most people who owns the beer store they would likely say either the province, or Molson and Labatt (not MolsonCoors and InBev). You can't blame people for not being beer enthusiasts, it's just a bummer because it means the status quo is unlikely to change.
Here is a story about the Beer Store monopoly in the Star.
http://www.thestar.com/business/companies/article/1030395--small-brewers-bitter-with-beer-store
Glad to see this issue is getting mainstream coverage! Here's another great article with a bit more info than mine: http://raisethehammer.org/article/1417/it's_time_to_take_our_booze_back
Unbelievable that in 2011 we have such an antiquated retail system that the only way for me to secure a particular beer product is to plead with a manufacturer/distributor for inclusion of their product in my particular area. And, it's not like I'm in the sticks.
In order for me to get a beer brand that I want I have to travel 53 km's to Oakville, Ont. How pathetic is that?
Oh, and I have heard the argument that we (customers) benefit from bigger purchasing power and see better prices. BFD. I'll gladly pay an extra buck a bottle if I can actually get what I want and not have to spend $25 in gas and take two hours of my time driving to Oakville and back.
Thanks for your comment Ted! Can you tell me which Beer Stores carry Flying Monkey's Hopitcal Illusion, Bell's Hopslam, or anything by Dogfish Head? I know these aren't all Ontario beers, but I've heard great things about them would love to try them.
Could you also recommend somewhere that I could legally purchase take-home beer after 10pm, before noon, or on certain holidays? It seems that if you had some competition I might have these options.
It's impressive that The Beer Store carries so many brands, but what's not impressive is that each individual Beer Store seems to carry and feature the same brands. No, you can't get Dogfish Head's 120 Minute IPA at Wal-Mart in the US, but you have the option of going to a privately owned specialty retailer and purchasing it there.
My complaint isn't that The Beer Store isn't a good store (by most accounts it is). My complaint is that if The Beer Store doesn't carry a certain brand, and the LCBO doesn't carry a certain brand, that certain brand is outside my reach. As an adult and as a consumer I find this unacceptable.
Could you also recommend somewhere that I could legally purchase take-home beer after 10pm, before noon, or on certain holidays? It seems that if you had some competition I might have these options.
It's impressive that The Beer Store carries so many brands, but what's not impressive is that each individual Beer Store seems to carry and feature the same brands. No, you can't get Dogfish Head's 120 Minute IPA at Wal-Mart in the US, but you have the option of going to a privately owned specialty retailer and purchasing it there.
My complaint isn't that The Beer Store isn't a good store (by most accounts it is). My complaint is that if The Beer Store doesn't carry a certain brand, and the LCBO doesn't carry a certain brand, that certain brand is outside my reach. As an adult and as a consumer I find this unacceptable.
haha thanks for describing the operations of the Brewer's retail monopoly and its legally sanctioned/protected competitive advantage, Ted!
Maybe a better Idea would be for the LCBO or the brewer's retail to create a small subsiderary that specializes in independent/craft beer sales in small retail stores across ontario (on a regional demand basis). They could yank some of the microbrews collecting dust off the shelves at some lcbo's, certainly expand the list of brewers and supply each location with a wide variety of beer products. They might be small boutiques, but craft beer lovers will flock constantly. The problem is that the brewer's retail and the Lcbo take advantage of economies of scale (which enhances profit) but this might prevent them from retailing the wide variety of microbrews desired because the relative quantities are low and the unit costs are higher. Regardless, there is no reason why a small subsidiary like the one I proposed would not be profitable. Obviously not as profitable as the current retail stores, but I believe, like Sean, that consumers should have a bigger say in their preferences, for a) we're not only customers but also tax payers, they should be loving us! b) As the organization's continue to grow and monopolize, product differentiation will continue to be lowered to meet profit demands. So back down and give us our microbrew's, or you will be attacked by a flock of flying monkeys and a group drunken cameron's drinkers at corporate office! Let's mobilize people! we want our specially brewed, generously hopped beverages and we would like them right now please!
Maybe a better Idea would be for the LCBO or the brewer's retail to create a small subsiderary that specializes in independent/craft beer sales in small retail stores across ontario (on a regional demand basis). They could yank some of the microbrews collecting dust off the shelves at some lcbo's, certainly expand the list of brewers and supply each location with a wide variety of beer products. They might be small boutiques, but craft beer lovers will flock constantly. The problem is that the brewer's retail and the Lcbo take advantage of economies of scale (which enhances profit) but this might prevent them from retailing the wide variety of microbrews desired because the relative quantities are low and the unit costs are higher. Regardless, there is no reason why a small subsidiary like the one I proposed would not be profitable. Obviously not as profitable as the current retail stores, but I believe, like Sean, that consumers should have a bigger say in their preferences, for a) we're not only customers but also tax payers, they should be loving us! b) As the organization's continue to grow and monopolize, product differentiation will continue to be lowered to meet profit demands. So back down and give us our microbrew's, or you will be attacked by a flock of flying monkeys and a group drunken cameron's drinkers at corporate office! Let's mobilize people! we want our specially brewed, generously hopped beverages and we would like them right now please!
oops, my bad. I just learned that the brewer's retail is not owned by government. Apparently, the government is in their back pocket though: http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/454836
Sean,
Hoptical Illusion can definitely be found at most Barrie and areas stores but to get the full list of stores that products are available at, please visit thebeerstore.ca and click on stores and products. There is then a search area to select beers from and once a brand is selected, you can get package size availability, pricing, and a list of stores at which to find that product. Also on the web site is information regarding store hours -- there are stores throughout the province that are open past 10:00 p.m. on certain days. Clayton, we will be opening/piloting a Beer Boutique later this year in Liberty Village. We're hopeful that this unique new design that will feature an array of different brews (craft, import, domestic) will be a hit with customers.
Hoptical Illusion can definitely be found at most Barrie and areas stores but to get the full list of stores that products are available at, please visit thebeerstore.ca and click on stores and products. There is then a search area to select beers from and once a brand is selected, you can get package size availability, pricing, and a list of stores at which to find that product. Also on the web site is information regarding store hours -- there are stores throughout the province that are open past 10:00 p.m. on certain days. Clayton, we will be opening/piloting a Beer Boutique later this year in Liberty Village. We're hopeful that this unique new design that will feature an array of different brews (craft, import, domestic) will be a hit with customers.
I like the sounds of that Ted!
Hi Ted,
I think it's great that you guys are making the effort to expand into more specialty beers. The Beer Boutique sounds great. However, we shouldn't have to wait for The Beer Store to get with the program to have access to these beers. My issue isn't with the Beer Store itself, it's with the limited access that we have to beer retailers. It's ridiculous to expect that two chains (The Beer Store and the LCBO) can handle the diverse preferences of everyone in the province.
The Beer Store does a great job at selling a lot of beer that people want, but there's absolutely no reason why I shouldn't be able to pick up beer at a specialty food shop, the grocery store, or a small independent beer retailer. I don't want to wait for The Beer Store to slowly roll out new boutiques and acquire new brands as it sees fit, and I shouldn't have to.
Again, thanks for the comments, it's nice to know that you guys are listening. Incidentally, how did you find this?
I think it's great that you guys are making the effort to expand into more specialty beers. The Beer Boutique sounds great. However, we shouldn't have to wait for The Beer Store to get with the program to have access to these beers. My issue isn't with the Beer Store itself, it's with the limited access that we have to beer retailers. It's ridiculous to expect that two chains (The Beer Store and the LCBO) can handle the diverse preferences of everyone in the province.
The Beer Store does a great job at selling a lot of beer that people want, but there's absolutely no reason why I shouldn't be able to pick up beer at a specialty food shop, the grocery store, or a small independent beer retailer. I don't want to wait for The Beer Store to slowly roll out new boutiques and acquire new brands as it sees fit, and I shouldn't have to.
Again, thanks for the comments, it's nice to know that you guys are listening. Incidentally, how did you find this?
I just received a Request for Tender for a "Beer Boutique" to be built at 120 Lynn-Williams Street, Toronto, ON!!! After visiting Vermont this past week and trying their many tasty beers, I too was left wondering why the Beer Store and LCBO seemed short on selection. If you get a chance, Magic Hat #9.
The Beer Store monopoly on retails sales in this province should be declared illegal. Anyone should be able to open a Craft Beer Store in Ontario. This brewery owned monopoly doesn't care about getting that great tasting beer made down the road into their stores. Just go into any Beer Store and look around. nothing but mega-swill in your face. They changed most of their self serve stores back to the 1960's style of selling beer. Their own brands are everywhere and if you really want a Craft Beer, go over and elbow your way around people bringing back their empties to look at pics of beer on the wall. I gave up on this store years ago. I make my own. I rarely go into this store now, and try to avoid it since they changed their stores back to the 1960's. Beer Boutique? Same old, same old.....
Here is a mom and pop store which has over 1000 beers in stock. Puts the Beer Store to shame. They brag over 350 brands for 13 million people. The people of Ontario are not being served,
period.
http://www.houseof1000beers.com/
period.
http://www.houseof1000beers.com/
Good find Chris. There's absolutely no reason that we shouldn't be able to have that in Ontario. Are teenage drunks going to run rampant in the streets because an independent store sells beer that's probably too expensive and too strong-tasting for them anyway? I don't think so.
This prohibition-era morality mixed with protecting non-Canadian big business interests is just insane. I wish more people would realize that.
This prohibition-era morality mixed with protecting non-Canadian big business interests is just insane. I wish more people would realize that.
I have been to many Craft Beer stores in the US and even Alaska. Some were small and most were big. They all carried a wide variety of Craft Beer. The one thing that stood out was that the big US breweries were not in your face when you walked in. Yes, Bud, and Bud Light were there, but Craft Beer was the main focus in most of these wonderful stores. They were owned and run by real people, not by big breweries like here in Ontario. It was refreshing to walk from aisle to aisle to see interesting beers from all over the US and the world. 1000 brands of real Craft Beer in a state of only 5 million people. We in Ontario are definitely losers in the Craft Beer market. I blame it totally on our gutless gov't and the Brewers Retail monopoly.
`the beer store` has become a joke in this province. since opening up those big ass stores on selected corners with the 100% return policy, i`ve found myself many times lined up behind dozens of peeps returning everything but beer bottles in the designated return check-out while the other two check-outs for purchasing beer are, 99% of the time, sitting idle with no one available to serve you.
why the hell don`t they have return depots for returns only and get on with doing what they are there for, to sell the friggin stuff??
why the hell don`t they have return depots for returns only and get on with doing what they are there for, to sell the friggin stuff??
Why would they waste money on opening another till? What are you gonna do, go to the competition? Ha!
I wish the Ontario Craft Brewers would put more pressure on our gutless gov't to open Craft Beer stores here in Ontario. At least give it a try, maybe give it a good fight anyway. Get the word out and the people of Ontario may get behind them. We just have to break the monopoly the "Kingpins" who run the Beer Store have in this province. Competition is not a bad thing.
I think you need money and numbers to put that kind of pressure on the government, and the OCB has neither. The number of people who have no idea the beer store is owned by three foreign companies, and who also think that "beer" is synonymous with "macro brew lager" is staggering. If you asked most people who owns the beer store they would likely say either the province, or Molson and Labatt (not MolsonCoors and InBev). You can't blame people for not being beer enthusiasts, it's just a bummer because it means the status quo is unlikely to change.
Here is a story about the Beer Store monopoly in the Star.
http://www.thestar.com/business/companies/article/1030395--small-brewers-bitter-with-beer-store
http://www.thestar.com/business/companies/article/1030395--small-brewers-bitter-with-beer-store
Glad to see this issue is getting mainstream coverage! Here's another great article with a bit more info than mine: http://raisethehammer.org/article/1417/it's_time_to_take_our_booze_back
Unbelievable that in 2011 we have such an antiquated retail system that the only way for me to secure a particular beer product is to plead with a manufacturer/distributor for inclusion of their product in my particular area. And, it's not like I'm in the sticks.
In order for me to get a beer brand that I want I have to travel 53 km's to Oakville, Ont. How pathetic is that?
Oh, and I have heard the argument that we (customers) benefit from bigger purchasing power and see better prices. BFD. I'll gladly pay an extra buck a bottle if I can actually get what I want and not have to spend $25 in gas and take two hours of my time driving to Oakville and back.
In order for me to get a beer brand that I want I have to travel 53 km's to Oakville, Ont. How pathetic is that?
Oh, and I have heard the argument that we (customers) benefit from bigger purchasing power and see better prices. BFD. I'll gladly pay an extra buck a bottle if I can actually get what I want and not have to spend $25 in gas and take two hours of my time driving to Oakville and back.
Ted Moroz on January 28th, 2011