London and area wine and beer makers are applauding this week’s announcement by provincial premiers to loosen trade barriers on alcohol sales. “We have lots of people that reach out to us from other provinces that would love us to get our beer out there. We’re just trying to figure out the economics of shipping and delivering, and what have you,” said Paul Corrieveau, co-founder of Railway City Brewing in St. Thomas. He’s raising a glass to a new agreement to remove some barriers on interprovincial alcohol sales. “The biggest challenge for us is continuing to brew high quality beer and then finding consumers that will enjoy it and purchase it. And then finding the retailers that are prepared to sell it, so that the retailers can actually receive it,” explained Corriveau. But he qualified that the logistics would have to make it financially viable. “Everything comes down to how can you get it to the customer at a cost-effective method that still makes it affordable,” Corriveau added. A deal signed by nine provinces, including Ontario, will allow breweries, wineries, and distilleries to sell directly to customers in participating provinces. What it could mean for consumers, for example, is they’ll now be able to order a bottle of wine from another province and have it shipped straight to their door. At Skye Chase Estate Winery near St. Thomas, general manager Russ Press is hoping new opportunities bear fruit. “It opens up markets. It opens up markets for direct sale. Wine club growth as well. Seasonal opportunities. So, could be good,” Press said. With the U.S. booze ban still in effect, the announcement comes at a time many Ontarians are discovering, or in some cases, rediscovering some of the tastes in their own backyard.
