August 21, 2015
Province Announces Website Launched To Help Local Craft Startups
– – –ManitobaBrewHub.ca Links Information, Resources in Convenient One-stop Shop: Minister Lemieux
ManitobaBrewHub.ca has been launched as part of the Manitoba government’s Craft Breweries Strategy, Tourism, Culture, Heritage, Sport and Consumer Protection Minister Ron Lemieux, minister responsible for the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation announced today.
“We know Manitobans love their beer and more and more of us are enjoying craft beer,” said Minister Lemieux. “Our goal is to encourage growth in the local craft brewing and micro-distillery industry to create more jobs and opportunities at home in agriculture, hospitality and tourism.”
The strategy builds on the growing momentum of the craft beer movement in the province by helping Manitoba’s homegrown brewing industry grow and thrive, the minister said. Manitoba’s Craft Breweries Strategy was announced in the 2014 throne speech and will develop and boost Manitoba's homegrown brewing industry, he added.
The Manitoba Brew Hub website provides a single location where potential craft brewers and
micro-distillers can find links to the municipal, provincial and federal information required to start operations in Manitoba. The site is divided into four broad sections: learning, getting started, selling the goods and resources.
“Fostering growth in our industry starts with giving people the information they need in one convenient place,” said Dave Rudge, president and brewmaster, Half Pints Brewing Company. “This keeps the guesswork to a minimum and makes it easier for an entrepreneur to envision the goal. If this tool had been available when I was opening my brewery, a lot of headaches and phone time could have been saved. When you’re clear with people what the needs and expectations are, it’s easier to meet those expectations from day one.”
While many would-be brewers and distillers already have extensive knowledge in their fields, entrepreneurs thinking about starting a new business must have a basic understanding of their product, know where to get training and what is happening in the local market, Minister Lemieux said.
The site also provides links to resources for help with business planning, access to government programs and services, as well as completing the licensing, registration and regulation requirements. Other important information about pricing, labelling, distribution and marketing is available to help business owners make informed decisions about their operations.
The minister noted that about 4.2 per cent of beer sales in Manitoba are of Canadian micro beers but that sales have grown 19 per cent in dollars and 12 per cent in litres over the last year. Local craft breweries Fort Garry, Half Pints and Farmery also continue to have excellent growth and the minister noted sales for Manitoba producers are up 9 per cent since May 2014. They have experienced a 48 per cent growth in their share of the overall beer market in Manitoba since 2012, the minister said.
Currently www.manitobabrewhub.cais maintained by Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, with the intent to pass ownership and growth of the website over to a member-run association in the future, Minister Lemieux said.
The minister added today’s announcement complements recent modernization initiatives including:
- the expansion of craft beer growler bars;
- licensing tasting rooms adjacent to local breweries;
- the licensing of liquor service at spas and salons;
- the removal of restrictive food to liquor ratios at restaurants;
- the removal of restrictions for live music venues;
- the introduction of a family-friendly option to allow hotel beverage rooms to operate as dining rooms until 9 p.m.; and
- the extension of liquor service hours for major events such as the Juno Music Awards, Jets playoff games and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
- 30 -