Updated: Ontario Craft Brewers’ stance on The Beer Store

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Craft Brewers has issued a new statement of update regarding its position towards The Beer Store’s January ownership offering.

“To the best of our knowledge, OCB members have not taken up the offer to become shareholders of The Beer Store. It is possible, however, some may have taken advantage of the five free listings,” indicates the association. “OCB does not recommend craft brewers purchase the shares offered by The Beer Store.”

The Ontario Craft Brewers indicate they are liaising with the provincial government to focus on using legislation and regulation to require TBS to change store formats, operating policies and rate sheets so as to improve retail access for craft brewers.

See Related: Poll Results: Ontario brewers on Beer Store ownership offer

“Being a minority shareholder of any type in an organization where your competitors are the major shareholders would have no guarantees of improving retail access to the level consumers and craft brewers need to sustain growth,” they conclude.