cattersley
07-19-2008, 01:41 PM
So... after reading an article in the Toronto Star about the Brewers Retail's monopoly on large pack purchases of beer in Ontario it got my blood boiling yet again about the issue.
An online poll/petition conducted on 24 hrs after that article was printed urging Premiere Dalton's "Fiberal" government to look at consumer distain about the Beer Store had 3000 people sign it, and will likely be igored.
When asked about the question of the Beer Store (Where one of his son's is employed BTW) and consumers choices, prices, etc, Dalton's answer was if it isn't broke don' fix it. Well it has been broken for a long time. The Beer Store pushes out the little brewers in Ontario, raises prices at there leisure because they can, and we as the consumer take it... because really if we can't influsence of elected representatives to change this system what the hell can we do really? The brewers retail say 50% sin taxes on the price is the real reason for high prices, and that is partly to blame yes, but raising the price of your beer 15 - 25 cents a case every six monthes consistently since I have been 17, I am 26 now, might also be part of that. Don't get me wrong inflation happens and with the price of gas things go up in price, but I work at a small brewery, I no how much water, malt, hops, and yeast costs, and I also no the big brewers get a huge, and I mean huge discount from there suppliers, and lock into prices for years. Meaning if the prices go up, they still pay the same price years on end until the contract is up for renegotiation. The Beer Store also tells the consumer that selection will suffer if the are disbanded. Well I was in the USA recently, and NY State for example the super markets there had over 50 - 100 different choices. There craft selection blew me away. In North/South Carolina a chain of all organic stores had over 150 beers to choose from, even be able to mix-a-six for the same price as most six-packs! Selection will suffer, bull-shit.
Here is the point of my rant. The Beer Store should be disbanded. Think about this... if the goverment went to the big three automakers, or petroleum produces and said you and you only can sell car or gas in Ontario how would you as citizens react? So why should we tolerate this in regards to beer???! Quebec and the USA has systems in place to ensure minors arn't getting alcohol in there hands, so the polictical players that be and lobby groups think that Ontario will be a "sin-bin" full of underage drunks if beer is sold in super markets, and corner shops??? This will no happen. Governments shouldn't police there citizens to the point that they are the parents an us law abiding Ontarian's are there over taxed, choice restricted "children".
Bottom line, we need a free system to encourage price compition, lower taxes (doupt that will ever happen), and government will to "choose change" to represent the majority of beer drinkers that want this. "Choose change", kinda has a ring to it eh Dalton?!
I plan on writing my local MP, and MPP, I urge you all to do the same. I also urge you all to try brew your own stores, start home brewering or hell, hit the border and go to NY State.
So, lets here you opinion on beer prices, the Beer Store, and the Ontario Liberal Government.
"RESPECT BEER!"
Regards, cattersley.
An online poll/petition conducted on 24 hrs after that article was printed urging Premiere Dalton's "Fiberal" government to look at consumer distain about the Beer Store had 3000 people sign it, and will likely be igored.
When asked about the question of the Beer Store (Where one of his son's is employed BTW) and consumers choices, prices, etc, Dalton's answer was if it isn't broke don' fix it. Well it has been broken for a long time. The Beer Store pushes out the little brewers in Ontario, raises prices at there leisure because they can, and we as the consumer take it... because really if we can't influsence of elected representatives to change this system what the hell can we do really? The brewers retail say 50% sin taxes on the price is the real reason for high prices, and that is partly to blame yes, but raising the price of your beer 15 - 25 cents a case every six monthes consistently since I have been 17, I am 26 now, might also be part of that. Don't get me wrong inflation happens and with the price of gas things go up in price, but I work at a small brewery, I no how much water, malt, hops, and yeast costs, and I also no the big brewers get a huge, and I mean huge discount from there suppliers, and lock into prices for years. Meaning if the prices go up, they still pay the same price years on end until the contract is up for renegotiation. The Beer Store also tells the consumer that selection will suffer if the are disbanded. Well I was in the USA recently, and NY State for example the super markets there had over 50 - 100 different choices. There craft selection blew me away. In North/South Carolina a chain of all organic stores had over 150 beers to choose from, even be able to mix-a-six for the same price as most six-packs! Selection will suffer, bull-shit.
Here is the point of my rant. The Beer Store should be disbanded. Think about this... if the goverment went to the big three automakers, or petroleum produces and said you and you only can sell car or gas in Ontario how would you as citizens react? So why should we tolerate this in regards to beer???! Quebec and the USA has systems in place to ensure minors arn't getting alcohol in there hands, so the polictical players that be and lobby groups think that Ontario will be a "sin-bin" full of underage drunks if beer is sold in super markets, and corner shops??? This will no happen. Governments shouldn't police there citizens to the point that they are the parents an us law abiding Ontarian's are there over taxed, choice restricted "children".
Bottom line, we need a free system to encourage price compition, lower taxes (doupt that will ever happen), and government will to "choose change" to represent the majority of beer drinkers that want this. "Choose change", kinda has a ring to it eh Dalton?!
I plan on writing my local MP, and MPP, I urge you all to do the same. I also urge you all to try brew your own stores, start home brewering or hell, hit the border and go to NY State.
So, lets here you opinion on beer prices, the Beer Store, and the Ontario Liberal Government.
"RESPECT BEER!"
Regards, cattersley.