These Breweries Are Against Buck-a-Beer
Published August 14, 2018 at 7:53 pm
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.
Our brewery will not be joining this #buckabeer race to the bottom. We are committed to making a quality product that we are proud to serve and that means it will always cost more. We firmly believe that you really do get what you pay for. #qualitymatters #craftbeer
— People's Pint (@PeoplesPintTO) August 7, 2018
Hamilton-based MERIT Brewing Co says that there are better things for the Ford government to subsidize.
Hey @fordnation, want to provide a subsidy to breweries in Ontario? Here are a few ideas of better things to subsidize than $1 beer (feel free to add on…)….
— MERIT Brewing Co. (@MERITBrewing) August 7, 2018
Hometown Brew Co. in Norfolk County says “Quality & Sustainability above all else.”
No, we will not be offering buck-a-beer. Quality & sustainability above all else.
End of statement.
— Hometown Brew Co. (@HTBCbeer) August 6, 2018
Descendants Beer in Kitchener noted a few reasons why they will be boycotting Buck-a-Beer, saying it’s “countercraft culture.”
1/2 To those threatening to “disavow”, “boycott” breweries who participate in #BuckaBeer scheme. We appreciate your passion & your points. Please note that we don’t need to be threatened in order to not participate. We won’t participate because 1. It’s not economically viable
— Descendants Beer (@Descendantsbeer) August 7, 2018
2/2 2. It would force us to make an inferior product in an effort to be economically viable 3. We’ve had other opportunities to participate in projects that are countercraft culture & we’ve turned those down as well because we respect our customers & ourselves
— Descendants Beer (@Descendantsbeer) August 7, 2018
Beau’s Brewery in Vanleek Hill calls Buck-a-Beer “nonsensical.”
Re: #buckabeer pic.twitter.com/0UFGqvfFrG
— Beau’s Brewery (@beausallnatural) August 8, 2018
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.
Bell City not participate in "buck a beer". We've always been about quality ingredients and beer. We stand together with Craft Brewers against #BuckABeer. @fordnation @OntarioBevNet @TheExpositor @GreatLakesBeer @NickelBrookBeer @lagershed @MERITBrewing
— Bell City Brewing (@bellcitybeer) August 8, 2018
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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