Last year was not a good one for Canadian breweries, with demand dropping by four percent, the largest one-year reduction since National Prohibition from 1918-1920, according to Sylvain Charlebois and reported by the Cape Breton Post.

Data from AC Nielson states that while 15-years-ago, beer accounted for 50 percent of all Canadian alcohol sales, this figure has dropped below 38 percent.

According to Charlebois, it is a combination of factors ranging from younger consumers more interested in ready-to-drink cocktails such as vodka and soda, an increased use of cannabis and more non-alcoholic drinks becoming available.

In addition, with such a strong increase of craft breweries, consumers are confused as to which brands to remain loyal to.

Charlebois report, however, is not all gloom and doom.

“Despite sluggish sales in 2019, consumers are better served by our beer industry, perhaps more than ever. Indeed, many brewers are in small communities, using locally grown ingredients, making a difference, getting people together and celebrating the bounty of our land,” she says.

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