By Jeremy White and James Barrie I t is not too often that I start researching for an article and find something that explains the passion and dedication that people involved in the Craft Brewing Industry have for their businesses, their fellow craft brewers and their cu tomer’s as this letter that I came across by Jeremy White, Founder and Alesmith of Big Spruce Brewing of Nyanza, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. I wanted you to be able to read the letter that White wrote back in early October of 2016 in its entirety as it say a lot about the people working in the Craft Brewing Industry and that they look out for each other and wanted to see everyone succeed and have the ability to grow their business, which is probably why this industry is one of the fastest growing business sectors of the economy on both sides of the border.
THIS IS JEREMY’S LETTER;
October 5 th , 2016
Dear Nova Scotia,
I’ve been meaning to write. Ever since my wife and I fell in love with this province while on our honeymoon, bought a Cape Breton farm sight unseen off the internet, moved here and got into the #NSCraftBeer industry with the launch of Big Spruce Brewing, I’ve been truly amazed. Amazed at just how much pride there is in this province. Amazed at the tasty beer made by NS Craft Breweries. Amazed at the passion shown by nearly 400 (and growing) hardworking Nova Scotians who work in NS Craft Beer. Amazed at the willingness we all have as craft brewers to stop everything we are doing for our own businesses to help a fellow craft brewer in need, regardless of the cost. Amazed at the 30%+ annual growth of the NS Craft Beer industry - Nova Scotians will drive anywhere to seek out great Craft Beer!
There is so much homegrown success in our industry that I have to believe #NSCraftBeer should be the poster child for what Mr. Ivany and his colleagues envisaged for this province going forward in their report…..but herein lies the reason for my letter: you’re being duped.
It amazes me to have to say it, but the Nova Scotian bureaucracy, our elected officials, and a myriad of prohibition-era- esque regulations are making it impossible for us to realize our full potential as a vibrant, leading edge Craft Beer industry. Why does it take elected officials and their disobedient bureaucrats 5 years to make decisions that in the interest of improving the economic outlook of Nova Scotia should take 5 minutes? It is shameful! As a province in need of a new economic blueprint, we need them to do better.
Ready? Here’s the Top 10 Reasons Nova Scotia is getting the bum rush when it comes to Craft Beer:
1. At Big Spruce, and at many NS Craft Breweries with tasting rooms, we wash 4 times as many dishes as we need to. Under the current NSLC issued hospitality permits, we can only serve beer in 4 oz. glasses. It’s embarrassing to have legislation in place that forces us to look in the eyes of a visiting Craft Beer consumer and tell them they can have as much beer as they want but only in 4 oz. glasses. Give me a break! 2. Current regulations disallow NS Craft Breweries to have a second sales location without that second location also having a full brewery on the premises. So why does Moosehead Brewery of New Brunswick have a fully stocked retail location in Dartmouth that doesn’t have a brewery in it? Because there USED to be a brewery there? That is inconsistent, and unfair to NS Craft Brewers. Furthermore, Moosehead also act as Canadian distributors of Sam Adams, a beer from the largest craft brewery in the USA (Boston Brewing Company). Low and behold, Nova Scotians can buy Sam Adams at the Moosehead beer store in Dartmouth too! So now the largest craft brewery in North America essentially has an outlet store for their beer in the biggest urban center in the province, without any requirement for an actual brewery. If we local craft brewers decided to open a second location, we’d have to also build a brewery to gain the right. What’s more, we are not even permitted to sell each other’s beer at each of our existing breweries. It’s ridiculous. 3. Why, why, WHY is’t there a Nova Scotian Craft Beer Section at NSLC Stores? In many stores, there is no mention of the word Craft. What’s more, I see wonderful NS Craft Beers on the shelf from Propeller, Garrison, Boxing Rock, Hell Bay, Uncle Leo’s, Spindrift, 9 Locks, and Breton Brewing, mixed in with imposter faux-craft beers from large international brewing companies. Imposter beers may contain dubious ingredients and are at the very least brewed elsewhere -- making money for companies outside this province. It’s confusing to consumers (possibly that is the intent?). I mean come on, I don’t see all the Merlot piled up together on your shelves. Craft beer from Nova Scotia is distinct and unique. Seriously folks, we need our own section.
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