“I’m making more beer than ever before. I’m also making less money than ever before.” It’s a story I’ve been hearing a lot lately. While new in the role as Executive Director of your CCBA, I’m not new to the industry, having most recently co-chaired the Canada Beer Cup and before that, as Executive Director of Craft Alcohol NB. So, yeah, I’ve been hearing a lot of stories,” says Christine Comeau, Executive Director of the Canadian Craft Brewers Association.

“The happy tales are of those emerging from the pandemic, with friends and family joyfully reuniting over a brew or two in taprooms and brewpubs across our nation. Meanwhile, inflationary pressures, fuel surcharges, supply chain issues, cashflow pressure, space, labour shortages, cleaning, and keeping customers and staff safe and happy are putting pressures on us like never before. As if that’s not enough, excise is calibrated with inflation and expected to go up around 6% next year. Ouch. Just imagine if our PST or HST went up 6%, there’d be national outrage,” she says.

“Canada’s craft beer industry needs a break. We are vital to Canada’s economic recovery. That’s the story I tell. Our craft sector represents 60% of all industry jobs. Fifty-five percent of craft breweries are in rural communities. We contribute to tourism, agriculture, professional services, transportation, arts, culture, and population growth and retention. We help build strong communities where people want to live, work and play.”

Nationally, craft breweries have 10% market share[1]. In the US, it’s 13.1%[2]. In BC, it’s over 30% and growing. Consumers love local craft beer. We are nowhere near market saturation.

“As your new Executive Director of the CCBA my first order of business will be fighting to modernize the excise duty structure. This one isn’t a sprint, but a marathon. Other priorities include soon announcing dates for the second annual Canada Beer Cup; promoting the Independent Craft BreweryTM seal; advocating for fair and reasonable labelling, traceability, and environmental stewardship requirements; and advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in our craft brewing industry.”

[1] MNP Economic Impact Study of Canada’s independent craft beer sector, 2022.

[2] Brewers Association, 2021 “National Beer Sales & Production Data” https://www.brewersassociation.org/statistics-and-data/national-beer-stats/.