New serving rules make life easier for craft breweries

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This article was published 15/06/2023 (845 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Big thirst? You’re in luck.

The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba updated regulations this week to allow venues to serve patrons up to one litre (33.8 ounces) of beer, cider or coolers at a time.

Previous regulations were set at 750 ml (26.4 oz.), or two standard-size beer cans.

“It’s good all around,” said Colin Koop, co-owner of Devil May Care Brewery. “Quite often somebody will come up to the bar and order drinks for themself and a buddy…. Now we can give them two pints and they can walk back to their table without us.”

The changes were implemented, in part, to accommodate Manitoba’s growing number of craft breweries, which typically serve beverages in 473 ml (15.9 oz.) containers. Under the new regulations, patrons can order two of those larger drinks.

“It’s definitely great news, not just for us, but for our other colleagues in event industries,” said Jason Hayes, sponsorship and development manager for the Winnipeg Folk Festival.

“It’s something we’ve kind of been pushing for, for the last two years…. When we’re pouring beers in the taverns, its important for us to be able to serve two at a time.”

Speaking by phone Wednesday, Hayes applauded the news, saying the former serving limits had caused some confusion for customers and congestion at the bar.

The move will expedite service just in time for festival season, agreed Kevin Selch, founder of Little Brown Jug.

Selch’s brewery is the official sponsor for several local events, including the Pride Winnipeg festival, Winnipeg International Jazz Festival and the folk fest. He has been among those in the industry championing the cause.

“This is something we have been working on with the LGCA and the provincial government for a long time, so we’re ecstatic this change has been put through,” he said.

“It’s going to be good for festival-goers, good for customers and local businesses.”

The change is part of a larger effort to modernize Manitoba’s liquor legislation.

Future changes could include the ability to purchase alcohol with different forms of identification, and further “reduce the red tape currently governing the industry,” said Lisa Hansen, LGCA communications analyst.

The new regulation took effect Monday, and applies to all current and future liquor licence holders. Serving sizes for spirits and wine remain unchanged, at 85.2 ml (3 oz.) and 500 ml (17.6 oz.), respectively.

“The limit that has just been phased out… has been in place for decades, and put in place well before the expansion of craft beer,” Hansen said.

The changes do not impact safe-consumption regulations, and servers are still obligated to stop serving patrons who appear overly intoxicated, she said.

Regulatory requirements continue to restrict liquor service to a maximum of two containers at one time. However, a bartender could serve the full one-litre pour in a single container, should they choose.

Koop believes that option could open the door to local events inspired by Oktoberfest, a German celebration known for serving beer in large steins.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca