Alberta beer lovers have reason to toast new booze policy in the province, a local craft brewer says.

Thanks to changes to policies, it will be easier for licensed manufacturers such as breweries, wineries and distilleries to get up and running in the province, which could spark the trend of nano-brewing in Alberta.

Following a review and consultation with stakeholders, the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) is, effective immediately, eliminating the minimum production capacity requirements to make it easier to begin a manufacturing business.

Before, manufacturers had to produce a minimum capacity — 5,000 hectolitres a year for brewers, and 2,500 hectolitres a year for wineries and distilleries, said AGLC spokeswoman Tatjana Laskovic.

“The AGLC did hear from quite a few stakeholders that this is actually making it hard to start a business ... and eliminating minimum production capacity requirements would allow Albertans to start up a manufacturing business or would allow current manufacturers to pursue other business opportunities,” she said.

The moved was welcomed by some in Alberta’s craft beer industry, including Graham Sherman, co-founder of Calgary’s Tool Shed Brewing Company.

“I never would have guessed they would have done it, but they have,” he said.

“It shows the AGLC is thinking about breweries like Tool Shed.”

Sherman and his co-founder Jeff Orr had to partner with B.C.’s Dead Frog Brewery to get their beer to market and were looking at a significant financial investment, potentially millions of dollars, to start operations in Alberta.

While they will have to continue the partnership with Dead Frog while they get operations up and running in Calgary, Sherman said he was excited at the prospect of having “total control over new products and research and development.”

“It’s tough to do from a province away,” he said.

With the minimum requirements removed, Sherman says Albertans can expect a host of homebrewers turning pro.

“I can think of at least five guys who have talked extensively about going down that road but stopped because of the cost involved,” he said.

The changes also expand the types of products that can be produced in the province.

And before, operators could run a retail outlet at the same location where their manufacturing premises are, but now they are allowed to own one in a place that best suits their needs.

President and CEO Bill Robinson said the AGLC is pleased to respond to stakeholders with policies that will create opportunities for future growth.

“Once the recommendations are fully implemented, we hope to see new operations, more selection for consumers and some new products being made right here in Alberta,” he said.

katie.schneider@sunmedia.ca

On Twitter: @SUNKSchneider

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