As Victoria Beer Week gets underway, beer, wine, cider and mead hobbyists across British Columbia can now host competitions to showcase their creations, thanks to provincial regulation changes announced today.

Starting immediately, hobbyists will be able to apply for a special occasion licence to hold an event where their beverages can be tasted by judges and attendees. Previously, special occasion licensees could only serve commercially-manufactured liquor to raise funds for charitable purposes.

In order to comply with the Liquor Control and Licensing Regulation, an event and tasting must be free of charge for attendees. However, organizers can charge competitors a fee to recoup costs. The event must also comply with private event licensing criteria by limiting attendees to members or staff of the host organization, invited guests or people provided tickets, free of charge, before the event. The beer, wine, cider and mead entered in the competitions must be made at home or in a licensed UBrew or UVin establishment.

During the Liquor Policy Review, the Province received several submissions from hobby brewers and vintners who wanted to hold competitions to expose their beverage recipes to more people. This latest change is part of government’s ongoing efforts to reduce red tape, modernize liquor laws and increase consumer convenience while protecting public health and safety.

Hobbyists wishing to apply for a licence can call 1 855 999-7656 until changes to the online system are completed this spring.

Quotes:

John Yap, Parliamentary Secretary for Liquor Reform –

“We are acting on the input received during the Liquor Policy Review by enabling British Columbians who make beer, wine or cider as a hobby to hold competitions and be recognized by their peers and judges. Our government is continuing to modernize liquor laws and create new ways for people to support local businesses while having fun and drinking responsibly.”

Gaylor Kozak, chair, BC Council of the Canadian Craft Winemakers Association (formerly BC Fermenters Guild) –

“We are pleased with the announcement that our UBrew/UVin/Ferment on premise industry is now permitted to host competition events. Allowing the public to experience the quality of wine and beer they can make will greatly enhance the success of our industry.”

Joe Wiebe, co-founder, Victoria Beer Week –

“We applaud this announcement. Each year, Victoria Beer Week puts on a home-brewing workshop at a local brewery. It’s a very popular event. This year it sold out within a couple days of going on sale. Maybe next year we will include a home-brewing competition now that it is permitted.”

David Mitchell, co-founder, BrewVIC –

“BrewVIC, Victoria's home-brewing community, welcomes changes to liquor laws that will allow us to further share our craft with fellow home brewers and the public at large.”
 

Quick facts:

• B.C.’s Liquor Policy Review makes 73 common-sense recommendations to change B.C’s liquor laws so that they reflect current lifestyles, encourage the growth of small businesses and B.C.’s economy, address calls for consumer convenience and continue to safeguard health and public safety.
• This policy change implements recommendation No. 50 from the Liquor Policy Review.
• To date, 40 of the 73 recommendations have been implemented. Work to continue implementing additional recommendations is ongoing.

Learn More:

• Liquor Policy Review Final Report and recommendations: http://ow.ly/Z2CT1
• BC Council of the Canadian Craft Winemakers Association: http://www.acva.ca/en/
• Victoria Beer Week: http://victoriabeerweek.com/
• BrewVIC: http://brewvic.ca/