Sunday 6 July 2008

Express stores hurt small brewers

The man who rejected an invitation to join Ontario's exclusive beer club

More than two decades ago, Jim Brickman had the opportunity to buy an ownership stake in The Beer Store.

Brickman says he's now kicking himself for saying "no."

The owner of Brick Brewing Co. Ltd., Ontario's biggest little brewery, says he didn't realize how important – or lucrative – membership in that exclusive club would become as time went on.

"Walk into any Beer Store. All you see is Molson, Labatt and Coors," he says, referring to the fact the most prominent brands belong to the store's two biggest owners.

Coincidence?

Brickman and other beer store critics think not.

Read the Toronto Star article here.

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