Molson Coors Canada holds beer monopoly on KW Oktoberfest

In Oktoberfest festival halls across Waterloo Region, beer selection is limited to Molson Canadian brews and a few craft beers from the Molson-owned Creemore Springs. Its no coincidence either, asMolson Coors Canada is a sponsor of the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest.

When asked about the beer monopoly, Dave MacNeil, executive director for KW Oktoberfest said, It takes a lot of cash to put this festival onand its important to have our sponsors.

Molsonhas been sponsoring Oktoberfest in Kitchener-Waterloo for more than thirty years. Gavin Thompson, senior director of corporate affairs of Molson Coors Canada, says the sponsorship means the Denver-based brewer has exclusivity at events.

There are some of the local microbreweries that are starting to move their threshold up, Thompson said.

But to be able to have a direct impact on the numbers of attendees and consumers you have to have a pretty high level of volume," he said.

"The other side of it too, is not just about the beer, its about the distribution, its about the promotion, its about making sure you have the right number of servers thereand thats something we work very closely on, said Thompson.

One local brewery, Block Three Brewing is getting involved in the 9 day Bavarian-themedfestival in their own way by hosting Blocktoberfest at its St. Jacobs facilityon Fridaynight. Owner Phil Hipkiss says theyll be showcasing their first one-off seasonal beer also named Blocktoberfest.

Were hoping [the event is] just kind of a pop-in. You know, have a sample, maybe have a beer, try out our product and then take off and hit up your real Oktoberfest night. Just something we can do to try to contribute to the event and show passion for it.

Hipkiss added it would be amazing if local breweries could participate in official Oktoberfest events.

Something like, whether it be a one night thing at one of the venues, a small boutique at a couple of the venuesjust something to give some local flavor to the event.