These Breweries Are Against Buck-a-Beer

Published August 14, 2018 at 7:53 pm

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The newly elected Conservative government’s Buck-a-Beer initiative is officially on its way to Ontario, just in time for Labour Day weekend.

Premier Doug Ford said the changes will be in place by August 27 this year. The program will see the government-set minimum price of beer drop from $1.25 to $1.00 for any beer under 5.6 per cent in alcohol volume.

The program is voluntary, and its marketed as more of a challenge than a mandate for Ontario’s breweries. There are some perks participating breweries are eligible for, though, including recognition by the LCBO, promotional discounts and in-store displays at LCBO locations, and advertising in LCBO literature such as flyers and inserts.

But not many breweries are on board.

Only one brewery has signed up – it’s Barley Days Brewery in Prince Edward County.

In fact, a lot of breweries are refusing to participate in the program, and are outright against the intiative entirely.

And most of them are taking to Twitter.

People’s Pint in Toronto is one of them.

Hamilton-based MERIT Brewing Co says that there are better things for the Ford government to subsidize.

Hometown Brew Co. in Norfolk County says “Quality & Sustainability above all else.”

Descendants Beer in Kitchener noted a few reasons why they will be boycotting Buck-a-Beer, saying it’s “countercraft culture.”

Beau’s Brewery in Vanleek Hill calls Buck-a-Beer “nonsensical.”

And Bell City Brewing in Brantford tweeted that they’re standing with craft brewers against Buck-a-Beer, tagging Premier Ford’s Twitter account in the post.

An Ontario Buck-a-Beer Tracker recently popped up on Twitter. The account tracks all breweries that are for and against the initiative.

What’s your take on Buck-a-Beer?

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