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NB Liquor says new rule won’t impede 2 microbreweries

NB Liquor President and CEO Brian Harriman met with two New Brunswick microbrewery owners Tuesday.

The head of the New Brunswick Liquor Corporation (ANBL) says a new rule some brewers believe will kill start-ups in the province will not inhibit at least two businesses.

The rule came into effect this month under a new Brewery Agency Stores (BAS) policy. It requires microbreweries to sell 10,000 litres of beer in NB Liquor stores in to obtain a BAS licence.

A BAS licence allows a brewer to sell beer on-site for consumption off-site.

ANBL's president and CEO met with Railcar Brewing Company of Florenceville-Bristol and Grimross Brewers of Fredericton at ANBL's headquarters Tuesday.

“We are going to work with them to ensure that they are not impeded at all in their start-up and that we can work with them to grow their business and grow the [craft beer] category here in New Brunswick,” said Brian Harriman.

He says the new policy still stands and applies to all brewers, but that ANBL will continue to work with Railcar and Grimross to ensure their businesses, scheduled to open their brewery doors next month and in the fall, respectively, aren’t hampered.

Grimross Brewers's founder and owner walked out of his meeting with Harriman a happy man.

“I was given the assurance that I will be eligible to apply for a Brewery Agency Store and I’m confident based on what we’re doing today that we’ll be in good stead to be able to have that," said Stephen Dixon.