Legislative amendments to allow cider and cooler sales at all hotel beer vendors

Legislative amendments that would expand the sale of cider and spirit-based coolers to hotel beer vendors was introduced in the Manitoba legislature today, Crown Services Minister Colleen Mayer announced.

“Our government is focused on reducing red tape that holds our province back and limits consumer choice,” Mayer said.  “We are proud to provide greater choice and convenience for Manitoba consumers, with more retail and product options closer to home.”

The amendments under The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act would reduce red tape, provide greater consumer choice and bring rural community product offerings in line with urban centres where Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (MBLL) operates retail locations.

Currently, hotel beer vendors are restricted to selling beer and malt-based coolers, and can only sell spirit-based coolers and ciders under certain conditions such as being located a specific distance from a liquor vendor.

The proposed amendments would permit all hotel beer vendors to sell cider and spirit-based coolers, in addition to privately distributed beer.

In addition, MBLL plans to extend permission to private rural liquor vendors to sell single-serve domestic beer, previously only sold by hotel beer vendors and some rural liquor vendors granted an exception.

“The changes provide the opportunity for businesses to expand their product assortment to satisfy customer demand,” Mayer added.  “A greater assortment of products closer to home is good news for the Manitoba consumer.”