The provincial government poured a mug of cheer for the B.C. brewing industry on Friday.
After a long consultation process, the government unveiled a pricing structure that offers support to craft brewers like Crossroads Brewing Company, Barkerville Brewing Company and the biggest and oldest of all, Pacific Western Brewing.
"Effective July 3, 2016, the markup rate for small and regional breweries will be reduced by approximately 25 per cent, meaning craft breweries will have increased financial capacity to grow and expand," said a joint statement from local MLAs Shirley Bond and Mike Morris.
"These changes further improve markup rates for craft beer announced last year when government introduced the new wholesale pricing model, and will enable craft breweries to increase production and create jobs, while increasing the availability of high quality, made-in-B.C. products."
In addition to that, said the MLAs, the B.C. government will take action to improve cash flow for regional and craft brewers by removing the previous requirement to remit the supplier price of their products to the Liquor Distribution Branch.
"Breweries across the province are faced with the challenge of keeping up with increased market demand," Morris said. "Reductions will help make it easier for breweries to expand."
Bond added that, "Pacific Western Brewing has provided B.C. with specialty beer since 1957. They're a successful regional brewery and our government is working hard to encourage the growth and prosperity of breweries like these. Pacific Western Brewing is a job creator and an important contributor to the economy of our city and region."
