INFORMATION BULLETIN No. 36
(Effective May 1, 2015)
Following extensive consultations between the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (“AGCO”) and Ontario’s liquor manufacturers, the Ontario Government announced that Ontario breweries will be able to operate two on-site retail stores starting May 1, 2015.
To implement this change, the AGCO will eliminate what is known as the 25,000 hectolitre rule. Currently, all manufacturers of beer in Ontario are able to operate one on-site retail store at their main production site but only larger brewers – those making more than 25,000 hectolitres – are permitted to operate a second on-site retail store at another production site.
This change will mean that all manufacturers of beer in Ontario will be permitted to operate up to two on-site retail stores, provided they have at least two production sites.
The following requirements will continue to apply to beer manufacturers operating two on-site stores:
- Each brewery retail store must be located at a production site of the manufacturer.
- At least fifty per cent (50%) of the beer sold in each store must be made by the manufacturer at the site of the retail store where it is being sold.
For a full list of criteria and requirements for on-site brewery retail stores, please refer to the AGCO’s Brewery Retail Store Information Guide.
For more information, please call or e-mail the AGCO’s Customer Service Department at 416 326-8700 (GTA) or 1 800 522-2876 (toll-free in Ontario) or customer.service@agco.ca .