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Alberta’s tax system favours local brew to the detriment of all others, say small beer importers who claim they’ve lost almost half of their business.

Bo Vitanov and her husband Michael Tessier, owners of Artisan Ales, say last fall’s changes to liquor taxation is hurting importers, with some closing up shop altogether.

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“Several of our friends are losing their businesses over this,” said Tessier. “They put up protectionist barriers for Alberta brewers and … in my opinion, destroyed a lot of Alberta businesses.”

Artisan Ales represents small, high-end microbreweries in Quebec, France and Belgium. And it’s those products crafted outside of the western provinces that are taking a hit.

In October, Alberta raised taxes on imported beer by five per cent (21 cents for a case of beer), but it’s changes to the graduated tax system that is crippling importers, says Vitanov.

The incremental tax rates that go up as production rises, are now only for small craft brewers in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan — as part of a New West Partnership. Rates for these breweries start at 10 cents per litre for small batches (less than 10,000 hectolitres).