THUNDER BAY -- A local brewery says it's excited to hear more about changes to The Beer Store.
Sleeping Giant Brewing Company owner Matt Pearson was surprised as the rest of the province's craft brewery industry when the store announced Wednesday morning that it would open ownership to include them. The Beer Store, run by Molson, Labatt and Sleeman, has been under pressure to give more access to craft breweries.
"I'm glad they're listening, that's kind of exciting," Pearson said.
Previously it would've cost Sleeping Giant $3,000 per type of unit to get listed with the store and then $250 per location. The new structure would see companies producing under one million litres, including Sleeping Giant, would pay $100 to become owners. They can then stock two products at the closest five locations for no fee.
Pearson said craft breweries are around seven per cent of the market but employ nearly 40 per cent of the workforce. Money saved will be invested back into those local companies.
"We're looking for people to work. We're looking for new equipment," he said.
The news comes just as Sleeping Giant's canning machine arrived Tuesday. The company is getting ready to stock beer at the LCBO starting in March.
Having the chance to have product where the majority of beer is sold though will add even more growth. The Beer Store is also able to sell things like cases and reduce prices for more units, something the LCBO can't do. That gives places like Sleeping Giant more chances to get into restaurants.
"It's kind of a neat opportunity actually because you go from selling beer by the can or four-pack to the 12-pack or case," he said.
