The new rules from the Alberta government will allow liquor producers to run large-format party bicycles. Zoom-zoom/Dreamstime

By Eli J. Ridder

BUSINESS

Medicine Hat brewery owner applauds Alberta’s move to loosen party bike rules

Jul 10, 2025 | 7:00 AM

A Medicine Hat brewery owner is applauding the Alberta government’s move to loosen rules around liquor party bikes — and says he might get in on the fun.

Small liquor producers will now be allowed to own, operate and sell their own products on large-format bicycles after broad regulation changes impacting the alcohol and cannabis industries.

Chris Perret, owner of Travois Ale Works downtown, said it opens the door to new possibilities for his business.

“It certainly knocked down some red tape, I think it makes a lot of sense,” Perret said from a downtown street Wednesday.

The changes still require businesses to apply to the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission and adhere to local municipal rules.

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Perret said that could be a challenge as he finds the city is often the bigger roadblock compared to the province.

“The city is more about ‘what about this? What about that?’ So way more hassle,” he said.

People pictured on the Tipsy Trolley during the summer of 2025. Tipsy Trolley/Meta

A city spokesperson, when reached for comment about the provincial regulation changes, pointed to Medicine Hat’s alcohol management bylaw.

That bylaw bars the sale or consumption of alcohol on city property — including its roads.

“Beyond that information, we are unable to speculate or hypothesize how this decision may influence our existing bylaw,” a city spokesperson said in an email to CHAT News.

However, there is some precedent.

Steve Nieman started a pedal pub on wheels two years ago called Tipsy Trolley.

He said the regulation changes could help businesses stay afloat by diversifying their income streams.

“The more opportunities — and if they’re done in a safe manner, I think it’s fine, I think it’s good,’ Nieman said.

Perret agreed deregulation can be a great economic driver.

“When I got the email (about the new rules), I was like, ‘oh, maybe we should do something like that,” Perret said.

“Because not necessarily just for ours, but I think downtown would be a good advocacy and economic driver to have.”

Perret emphasized he’d rather collaborate with a business like Tipsy Trolley as opposed to starting a service himself.

Chris Perret says the biggest obstacle in terms of rules and regulations can be the City of Medicine Hat. Kevin Kyle/CHAT News

“It’s a small community so I’d also be respectful of going and impacting Steve’s business,” he said.

It’s not just rules around the liquor bikes that are changing.

Retailers with a minimum of 10,000 square feet can now create a separate liquor store within their space, as long as it has its own entrance and full floor-to-ceiling walls separating it from other retail operations.

There are also changes for cannabis growers, who can now apply for a retail license to sell pot from the same property.

Officials say that will align Alberta with other provinces and give buyers increased access to local-grown cannabis.