Over the past few days I have grown more frustrated with the Nanny state Kathleen Wynne continues to hold the Craft Beer drinkers and breweries of Ontario under. On Monday afternoon CBC News did a Live online chat W/ Jason Fisher the owner of Indie Ale House located in Toronto’s Junction Neighborhood. As many of you are aware Jason asked Ms. Wynne “Why she hated Ontario Craft Brewers?” One of the things I love about Jason’s choice for the location of his brew pub is the Junction was a dry area up to 1997.

For me as a consumer and craft beer lover it is about product availability. The last time I purchased beer from foreign owned The Beer Store was at least two years ago. When I walked in to the middle aisle of The Beer Store on Bleams Rd my options were Steam Whistle and Mill St. Don’t get me wrong I am a fan of both breweries. Particularly Mill St. But with over 35 plus registered Ontario Craft Breweries in the province why are my choices so limited. According to Ms. Wynne the people of Ontario needs are being met under the current business models. If my needs are being meet as a consumer why am I having to travel an hour plus each way to purchase the beer I want to drink. I have to admit the LCBO has come along way with availability of craft beer in its stores over the last two years, there is also plenty of room for improvement. Most of the time product availability in the LCBO is one run availability.

Why can’t the people of Ontario have access to all of Ontario Craft Beers? Why can’t the people of Ontario have the ability to walk in to a retail location which carries exclusively craft beers. I can walk in to the Wine Rack and purchase a bottle of wine or a bottle of knock off baileys. But because I am a beer drinker this makes me socially less responsible. Why can’t the people of Ontario purchase their beer from knowledgeable staff? Ever asked the staff at The Beer Store what pairs well with an IPA, APA or Saison? Do it I dare you. Why do the people of Ontario have to purchase their beer from the foreign owned Beer Store or the government owned LCBO?

Well Ms. Wynne the current model is no longer feasible for today’s savvy Ontario beer drinkers. Times have changed and so have consumers. I am not asking to walk in to MACS, Big Bear Variety, Hasty Market and purchase a keg of Bud Light. I am asking for somewhere to purchase local produced Ontario Craft Beer from knowledgeable staff.

If you agree as an Ontario craft beer drinker, Brewer or advocate please take a moment and let Ms. Wynne know how you feel.

Petition Time For Change

-Cheers