Windsor craft breweries ready for opportunities with PC ending Beer Store deal

Craft brewers in Windsor are reacting positively to Ontario's plans to end the deal with The Beer Store, citing more distribution opportunities to customers.

Now that the Progressive Conservatives have tabled legislation to terminate a contract with The Beer Store to allow corner stores to sell alcohol, a craft brewery is ready to seize the opportunity.

"I hoped it was inevitable that this would happen at some point, that everyone would have a choice of where they're buying their booze from, so, and especially beer in our industry," said Jordan Goure, brewer at Brew Microbrewery.

Like Brew, Chapter Two Brewing Company also doesn't sell at The Beer Store.

Co-owner Terry Dube of Chapter Two said it's because of the "insurmountable" barrier to entry for smaller players.

"So we're a small business who brings a niche product of very high quality directly to an aficionado or an enthusiast audience," said Dube.

"And The Beer Store doesn't really address that market effectively and it's really not geared or built to service our market."

Right now the brewery sells at a taproom, through eateries and other alcohol establishments.

Concerns about breaking contract

Labatt Brewing Company Limited and Molson Canada 2005, two of three brewers who predominantly own The Beer Store, have sent a letter to the province via their legal counsel.

The lawyers mention the job cuts that would result from terminating this contract. They also say their clients reserve the right to challenge the bill that's been tabled.

The potential cost from breaking the contract worries Windsorite Philip Dutton.

"It's going to be expensive, and it's a waste of millions of dollars," said Dutton. "I don't see why we can't wait for a few years and let the contract run out."

But Goure isn't too worried. He thinks it was inevitable that the contract would be broken at some point.

"So I'd rather break the contract and get it done than try to renegotiate when the contract comes up," he said.