By Leah Murray

Local brewers excited about tapping into new markets

Aug 4, 2017 | 5:27 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Some new rules being introduced by the NDP government are attempting to make it easier for breweries and distilleries in the province to sell their craft products.

The rules would allow the local manufacturers to sell beer and liquor at approved farmers markets across the province, an option that, up until now, was only available for wineries.

It’s a move the Medicine Hat Brewing Company is excited about.

“We’ve been going to a lot of trade shows and it would be nice if we could sell more,” said co-owner Kaiden VanCuren. “Farmers markets, we’re always a big fan of those, we go to them a lot so it would be nice to have our own booth in there.”

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Finance Minister Joe Ceci made the announcement Thursday afternoon. He said the new rules will give small liquor manufacturers a chance to market their products in a new way.

“This new policy has many potential benefits,” he explained. “Including enhanced product selection at farmers and artisan markets, allowing more local businesses to connect with their local communities and potential customers.”

Ceci said it will be up to each market to decide if it will allow the sales.

The Medicine Hat Stampede hosts the largest farmers markets in the city every Saturday from May to October.

Right now, none of their vendors are allowed to have store fronts, so this would really change things up for the annual market and Jim MacArthur said their committees are looking into it.

“The farmers market approach is that it’s locally grown, so I think this obviously fits into that criteria but there are probably a few more things to look into,” said MacArthur. “But, we’re always excited when local businesses have an opportunity and perhaps we can be part of that, but we’ll see.”

MacArthur said the board of directors for the farmers market will likely make a decision on whether the local breweries can sell at the markets here before the end of the season.

The Market At Medalta said it’s also looking into it and welcome the opportunity to have the local brewers as vendors at its Thursday markets.

There are 92 liquor manufacturers across Alberta so it’s likely you’ll see many of them popping up at markets all across the province starting August 15th.

VanCuren said it’s a win for the whole industry.

“Being able to find bigger markets to sell to, and there’s like trade shows and farmers markets we’re able to sell now,” he said. “So it’s a big win for us so we’ll actively participate in any one we can.”

Hell’s Basement Brewery said it’s great news, but wasn’t sure if they’d take advantage of the chance to sell at farmers markets right away as they’d need to find the time and staff to do it.

In an effort to reduce red tape the provincial government also announced it’s changing the way small brewers and distillers are licensed.

Instead of applying for a different licence depending on what they make and how much, there will now be just one manufacturers licence.

On Friday Ceci also announced a newly created taproom licence that will permit manufacturers to offer food service along with events and entertainment in their establishments.

Just a note in case of any confusion, the ‘Something for Everyone’ Market is not run by the Medicine Exhibition and Stampede.