Taxes and beer - Canadian perspective

[waldoar15]

I have wondered that myself many times. High beer prices should make Canadians want to make their own beer. Nope. They bitch and complain about the price of beer, but line up in our ( Ontario ) so called beer stores which resemble Russian bread lines and pay huge prices for bland and boring lagers. I can't figure that part out. On the other hand, I don't know why homebrewing is so popular in the US with your cheap beer. If I lived in the US, I would brew my own beer for the joy of brewing only. I wouldn't brew beer because I have to like I do here in Canada.

Conehead

Well, cheap beer is cheap in the states. But craft/micros are fairly expensive.

It pays to brew here if you normally drink craft beers.

 

[Hemsworth]

If this means anything. Please bring your clay bottles back to the beer store! They need them back!!!

Really? It was my understanding that they pay $2 each for brand new bottles which is the same as the deposit that they return and would rather NOT have the old ones back. That it was cheaper for them to just get the new ones.

Hmmm...you've put me in a bad spot, Limoges...these are REALLY nice bottles for the homebrew!

 

[Montanaandy]

"But the liquor stores are all privatized, (in Alberta)".

I must have confused SK stores with AB because I can't recall a private store in SK. Believe me, AB is light years ahead of SK in terms of what is available at the liquor stores. AB is a great province and Calgary is a fantastic city. Go there as often as I can.

With the US dollar at parity with the Canadian dollar I don't purchase much liquor when I am in AB or any other part of Canada because it is simply too expensive. Sucks because Canada is producing some world-class wine in the BC area and also imports brands/labels that are hard to find in the US. Montanaandy

 

[limoges]

Really? It was my understanding that they pay $2 each for brand new bottles which is the same as the deposit that they return and would rather NOT have the old ones back. That it was cheaper for them to just get the new ones.

Hmmm...you've put me in a bad spot, Limoges...these are REALLY nice bottles for the homebrew!

The deposit on them has changed to 25 cents at the LCBO I believe. Thuse they really do need them back... I do not know the depot at the brewery store, I buy growler's when I got there.

In any case fear not, 500 ml see threw flip tops are coming (soon)!

 

[gtpro]

Australia has some pretty high booze taxes, a sixer of Corona could run as high as $20, $40+ for a case of anything.

 

[seanybubbles]

I seriously can't believe these posts about people saying they can't save money brewing their own brew. Here in Quebec 24 bottles of coors or bud costs 25$, which is considered a deal. Most of the better (although not premium or imported) beers cost at least 30-35$ for 24 bottles. Imported beers costs about 20$+ for twelve and are not even available in the 24 bottle case. I can brew 55 bottles for 30$. In no way am I saying my beer is better than most premium or imported beers, but it definitely as more taste than coors light.....

 

[Hemsworth]

Agreed. Even going all grain isn't THAT expensive. I've spent maybe $300 for the equipment ($150 of that was just for the grain mill) and the cost of a 5 gallon batch is now around $15.

 

[Frank99]

This is why socialism sucks

 

[Dauntless]

Pffff, beer is waaaay more expensive in free wheeling Alberta than in "socialist" Quebec. It depends on what people want to tax / make available in each province. French Canadians are a little more relaxed when I comes to alcohol. There are beers and wines in every corner store and grocery.

I got into homebrewing for the price, stayed for the real beer.

 

[mrmcdowe]

Luckily I am fully prepared to do a lot off homebrewing when I move to Calgary in a few months. I also will need to perfect my winemaking, because if not I will definitely be BROKE

 

[osagedr]

This is why socialism sucks

You said it brother. Y'all will be passing Obamacare soon enough; welcome to the club!

 

[FlyGuy]

Luckily I am fully prepared to do a lot off homebrewing when I move to Calgary in a few months. I also will need to perfect my winemaking, because if not I will definitely be BROKE

Bring LOTS of ingredients when you come here, then! We don't have much for homebrew shops in Calgary (although our main one is slowly improving again).

And look up the Cowtown Yeast Wranglers when you get here (Calgary's homebrew club). It's a great bunch and you'll get to know a LOT of people really quickly. Let me know when you get here and I will buy you a pint and introduce you to the gang.

 

[hopdawg]

........Why don't we have at least ONE killer homebrew shop in every major center, or at least, one great online shop in Canada......

I'm working on it my friend, just a few more days.......

 

[FlyGuy]

I'm working on it my friend, just a few more days.......

Anxiously awaiting.... be sure to let us know when you are online.

It will be great to have a homebrew shop out west again. There are a LOT of avid homebrewers out here!