News
During the pandemic-driven global glass-bottle shortage, CBC on Vancouver Island recently reported at least one distillery asking customers to return their empties.
Vancouver Tech Journal reported that Vancouver’s Ollie Order, which helps independent breweries and wineries sell their products, has been acquired by North Carolina-based Next Glass.
The BC Spirits Cocktail Book is now available for pre-order. Written by industry insider Shawn Soole with photos by Nick Halim, it showcases the distilleries and people behind the drinks. Soole’s British Columbia Distillery Passport also gives virtual discounts and perks (like free shipping) on products from 38 B.C. distillers until June 2022.
In late June the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) Saskatchewan held a digital discussion on the Saskatchewan Craft Winery, Brewery & Distillery Industry: Policy, Business & Economic Perspectives.
The Regina Leader Post reported that YQR Distillery (a new business that recently acquired Regina’s Sperling Silver Distillery) has a proposed new location, through a subject-to-approval by council 40-year lease at the Agribition Building.
In the Ontario 2021 budget, support was announced for the extension of Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs existing beverage alcohol support programs until 2022-23 and providing $15.7 million in funding to wineries, small cideries and small distilleries. Additionally, for 2021-22 only, the Small Distillery Program’s budget will be increased by $1.2 million to provide relief from the impacts of COVID-19.
Eater Montreal reported that Project Pilote in Montreal’s Plateau neighbourhood opened in late June, including a microdistillery that hopes to produce gin, eaux de vie and more.
La Journal de Montreal recently ran a piece on the high provincial tax on small-batch spirits and the stress that puts on artisan producers, authored by Jonathan Roy, president of the Union Québécoise des Microdistilleries.
New Openings, For Sale + Coming Soon
Grey Dog Distilling is a Sherwood Park, Alberta-based, rum distillery that hopes to launch soon.
A Penticton, B.C., distillery was recently listed for sale with Trade and Invest British Columbia.
A Prince Alberta, Saskatchewan, station reported that new Phantom Light Distillery is off to a spirited start.