We recently hosted the third annual Canada Beer Cup gala in New Westminster, BC and I couldn’t have been prouder to celebrate the incredible talent, passion, and innovation of Canada’s craft brewers. It was wonderful seeing it grow to more than 1,500 entries from over 250 breweries.

The Canada Beer Cup is Canada’s only national, not-for-profit craft beer competition. Every entry and sponsorship is an investment in the success of our industry’s nearly 1,200 Canadian craft breweries. Together, we represent 21,000 industry jobs, another 8,800 in the tourism sector, and contribute $1.7 billion in GDP.

When you enter or sponsor it, like Federated Insurance did, you know you’re investing in advocacy and benefits to keep our industry strong.

We all know the challenges we’re facing. Inflation has taken a toll on our industry, with malt prices up by as much as 50%, aluminum cans by 20%, and cardboard by 16%. Some breweries are also dealing with unprecedented rent hikes. On average, our input costs are three times higher than those of foreign-owned multinational breweries, and the impact has been real: 70 craft breweries have closed in the past 18 months.

But here’s the thing—our industry is resilient. Craft brewers are creative, determined, and, frankly, a little bit badass. Even in the face of adversity, new breweries are opening, and others are expanding.

This past April, we achieved a significant win for Canadian brewers: a 50% excise rate reduction on the first 15,000 hL of beer brewed, set to last for the next two years. It’s a step forward, though there’s more work ahead to make this change permanent and to increase the production limit so breweries can keep growing without penalty.

That’s why I was in Ottawa again at the end of October with our partners from the Canadian Coalition of Independent Craft Brewers to make our message clear, Canada’s craft brewers need permanent tax relief, and we have the business case endorsed by MNP to support it.

We’re also closely monitoring current and emerging federal Bills that are calling for health warning labels on alcohol and advertising restrictions that reflect a push for lowered low-risk drinking guidelines that, frankly, don’t align with reality. Suggesting Canadians limit consumption to two drinks per week is, to put it lightly, completely out of touch.

Let me be clear: these restrictions are part of a well-funded, global neo-prohibitionist movement that wants alcohol treated like tobacco – or worse – with extreme labeling, packaging, advertising bans and restricted market access. We’re advocating for a balanced approach, asking Health Canada to affirm that current low-risk guidelines are effective and reasonable.

Let’s stand strong against misinformation and together support a sustainable path for our industry.

There’s a powerful way for each of us to make a statement: through the Independent Craft Seal. For those of you displaying the Seal on your packaging—thank you! If you’re not,  please consider doing so. The Seal not only signals to beer lovers that they’re choosing authentic local, quality, and independent craft but also sends a message to policymakers that we are a united, powerful force in Canada’s economy.

Now, let’s get back to celebrating the Canada Beer Cup! This competition, the most technical and respected of its kind in Canada, showcases excellence and dedication. Whether you brought home a crown trophy (or two) or none, your participation makes you a winner because of the quality of the feedback and knowing it is an investment in your craft, your brewery, and Canada’s brewing industry.

From the bottom of my heart—and my glass—thank you for supporting the Canada Beer Cup, for strengthening our industry, and for being part of the Canadian Craft Brewers Association.

Santé! To your health! Cheers!

Christine Comeau,

Executive Director

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SOURCE: Canadian Craft Brewers Association (Press Release)
PHOTO CREDIT: Canadian Craft Brewers Association