New Craft Brewery policies and August 23rd Beer Cruise

What's going on with ANBL?

There's been a lot of talk lately about the new rules surrounding craft breweries in New Brunswick. Without getting too far into it, here are the basics of where the policies stand.

Alcool New Brunswick Liquor (ANBL) has issued a new policy requiring anyone applying for a Craft Brewery License to first sell 10000L through the ANBL network before selling ANY beer onsite for offsite consumption (no growlers and no kegs for your party). At the same time, ANBL is now beginning a pilot project to sell growlers at three of its corporate locations. Coincidence?

The new policies put too much pressure on small producers to meet excessively large production targets and to invest in equipment including kegs, bottles, labeling, and transportation (ANBL does not distribute NB craft beer or NB wine).

A delegation of NB microbreweries will be meeting with ANBL on August 15. Let's all hope that there are significant changes to the policies as they've been drafted so that entrepreneurs have a fair shot at making a nanobrewery work in this province. Otherwise, we may see strong business people moving to other jurisdictions to open their breweries, which I think everyone can agree would be a huge loss for NB.

Uncorked River Cruise features beer from new New Brunswick breweries

On a happier note, we have ALMOST finalized the beer list for the August 23rd beer cruise. In response to the new rules and regulations surrounding craft breweries, here at Uncorked Tours we've decided to celebrate the breweries who have opened in the past year. Look for beer/cider from Big Axe Brewing, Hammond River Brewery, Grimross Brewery, and Red Rover Cider. As always, we'll also feature beer from Big Tide Brewery here in Saint John.

There are still tickets available at $75+HST that include a three-hour cruise, 6 beers (minimum) and a delicious spread of NB cheese, condiments, charcuterie, and chocolates :)

Tickets can be purchased online here

Cheers,
Gilliane