From the introduction of wine in grocery stores to liquor sales at artisan markets – the provincial government has continued improving convenience, flexibility and choice in liquor sales for consumers and small businesses over the past year.

On April 1, 2015, marked a significant milestone in government’s efforts to modernize the province’s liquor policies based on the feedback we heard from British Columbians and industry stakeholders.

British Columbians and visitors can now:

• buy B.C. wine off grocery store shelves in seven locations,
• buy B.C. liquor products at artisan markets,
• host hobby brewer and hobby vintner competitions,
• enjoy a signature beverage at a manufacturer’s on-site lounge OR choose from an assortment of other alcohol drinks produced off-site, and
• order a cocktail through hotel room service 24/7.

Businesses can now:

• remove their designated lounge space, as it is no longer required in order to serve customers a drink if they aren’t ordering food,
• host entertainment such as a guitar player or comedian, without having to apply for a permit as long as customers aren’t participating in the show,
• showcase craft brewery products at the closest BC Liquor Store – even before they’ve proven themselves in the larger marketplace,
• grow their craft beer business with a more graduated mark-up scale, and
• sell liquor products they’ve manufactured at artisan markets.

Previous changes, including the introduction of happy hours, the removal of beer garden fencing requirements, and the introduction of liquor sales at farmers’ markets have paved the way as government continues to respond to feedback from British Columbians, industry and health stakeholders gathered during government’s 2013 liquor policy review.

The Liquor Policy Review also called for government to develop a robust public education and social responsibility program. As a result, the Province has implemented mandatory training programs for people serving and selling liquor. Businesses are also required to display government-produced social responsibility materials about health and safety risks related to alcohol use for their customers.

Liquor Policy Review Recommendations:

• Recommendations implemented since April 1, 2015: 1, 5, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 28, 29, 35, 50 and 65.
• Stay up to date on the changes with the Liquor Policy Review implementation table: www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/lclb/docs-forms/lpr-implementation-table.pdf
• Read the full list of Liquor Policy Review recommendations: www2.gov.bc.ca/local/haveyoursay/Docs/liquor_policy_review_report.pdf

Quick facts:

• New craft breweries are opening around the province each month – there’s been a 35% increase in the amount of microbrewery beer produced in B.C. since the new wholesale pricing model was introduced.
• As of mid-March 2016, there are 50 active distilleries in B.C.
  • Thirty-one are designated as craft distilleries, and 19 are commercial distilleries.
  • There are currently 12 applications for craft distilleries and one for a commercial distillery underway.
• Since 2001, wineries in B.C. have grown, from 70 to over 320 now.
• There are now seven grocery stores selling wine right off the shelf in B.C. – with another seven expected by July.
• B.C. is auctioning off six initial opportunities to bid on the right to apply for Special Wine Store Licences starting mid-April, which means more exposure for B.C. wine on grocery store shelves. 
•  According to the BC Wine Institute:
  • Since the opening of the first grocery store April 1, 2015, more than 50,000 bottles of BC VQA wine have been sold (over $3 million in retail sales).
  • The average retail price of a bottle of wine sold in grocery is just over $18 before tax – showing that customers are choosing a wide variety of wines.
  • Over 60% of the 900 different wines available at each store come from small and medium sized wineries with 50% of them NOT available through any other liquor retail channel.
• More than 50 artisan markets hosted close to 55 beer, cider, wine and spirits manufacturers over the winter holidays.
• Government has officially implemented 41 of Parliamentary Secretary Yap’s recommendations – well over half of the 73 recommendations from the liquor policy review.
• Since Serving It Right was enhanced and expanded in September 2015, over 2,700 people have taken the program.