Selling Homebrew - Prov & Country Laws

[Comforteagle]

I just got back from Maine & New Hampshire where it looks to me like the craft brewing business is quite healthy & not limited to state lines.

Is it as healthy here? How bad are provincial laws & selling across the provincial borders?

I can see the US guys not wanting to bother with shipping US to Canada, but selling into the US from here would surely be worth a try at some volume if the laws/regulations aren't too burdensome?

[Ruby]

I had heard that Nova Scotia wine sometimes runs into problems exporting to the US due to the NAFTA. If the winery has received government subsidies, than it's considered an unfair advantage to the US local wine. I'm not sure if that's the case with beer and craft breweries or not though.

[jacinthebox]

are we talking about selling Homebrew or commercial craft beer? two completely different issues

[Comforteagle]

Commercial craft beer.

[akr71]

We need one of our growing number of Pros to weigh in here. I believe that a brewery needs to have its product listed with the appropriate Liquor Commission in order to be sold in that province. I have absolutely no idea what international requirements are.

The reality is that most craft breweries do not have the capacity to keep up with demand. The hassle and reduced profit of getting it to the US just doesn't make sense when you can sell all you have right where you are.

[McGruff]

I think Beaus sells it's beer in Vermont or NYS. Probably easier than selling it to another province.