tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-826637739916486721.post8214113287330476966..comments2023-09-19T06:58:49.690-07:00Comments on VanEast Beer Blog: Storm of Bureaucratic Red Tape Threatens Iconic East Van BreweryPaddy Treavorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16360223916204727525noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-826637739916486721.post-30444193744996832232013-10-08T15:17:33.287-07:002013-10-08T15:17:33.287-07:00Thanks again Dustan
Just so you know, John Yap tw...Thanks again Dustan<br /><br />Just so you know, John Yap tweeted that the LCLB are "expediting" the process and it should be cleared up in 3 days. I really hope for James's sake it is. I have friends coming to Powell River to visit soon and would for them to be able to bring me a growler of Black Plague Stout :)Paddy Treavorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16360223916204727525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-826637739916486721.post-37462250805681739842013-10-08T14:50:46.452-07:002013-10-08T14:50:46.452-07:00All great points. I have no arguments and my sympa...All great points. I have no arguments and my sympathy goes out to James. The LDB is playing a how grey is too grey game here and James is stuck in the middle. I hope that the consumer reaction and articles like this are able to expedite the process of getting delicious Storm Beer in the hands of thirsty consumers as quickly as possible!Dustan Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07708678127181189767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-826637739916486721.post-49295308735619029942013-10-08T12:37:44.670-07:002013-10-08T12:37:44.670-07:00And just a side note to all, James did not reach o...And just a side note to all, James did not reach out to me, whining about the situation...I was contacted in Powell River and advised about the situation and followed up on my own as I wanted to know what had happened and thought others should know. Paddy Treavorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16360223916204727525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-826637739916486721.post-5187327996997330502013-10-08T12:17:27.649-07:002013-10-08T12:17:27.649-07:00Thank you for your well-thought out comments.
No...Thank you for your well-thought out comments. <br /><br />No one, including James, is denying he holds some of the blame but this issue is one where blame lies on both sides of the fence. <br /><br />The issue I specifically have is that he not only had growler sales shut down, but his keg sales to non-licensees, which he has been doing for almost 20 years, as well. <br /><br />The heavy-handed, "cease immediately or lose your ability to do any business" is, in my humble opinion, an abuse of power and let us face it, liquor inspectors have absolute power, with little-to-no recourse for appeal by those they target. He is now at the mercy the bureaucrat whose desk his application falls on and if they choose to drag their heels, James and his business are in jeopardy. <br /><br />If the LCLB have issue with the growler sales, then shut those down. As far as I know, Storm's ability to sell kegs to the general public, while collecting $$$s for the LDB and reporting the sales, have not posed a risk to public safety.<br /> <br />You are right in saying that this does highlight many issues that need to be addressed in the current liquor policy review. It is the LCLB that has hammered down on him while the LDB have been happy taking his money and gouging out their share after approving the sales. I would be willing to bet that the LDB had nothing to do with this and this was all on the LCLB wielding a stick far too big for the situation as they are want to do. <br /><br />And if the LDB did complain, shame on them for allowing James a sku for his growlers with the knowledge he should not be selling them with the license he has. When they grant skus, do the LDB do it without vetting at all who is applying and what their licensing situation is? Or do they just grant skus to sell product with no responsibility. It is abhorrent, in my opinion, that one bureaucratic government branch grants permission to sell a product while another says no, that is illegal. <br /><br />Yes, James is partially to blame, but others need to take responsibility here and do the right thing. I, like yourself, hope this is resolved quickly, as in today, so James can get back to what he loves doing, getting great beer out to his customers.Paddy Treavorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16360223916204727525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-826637739916486721.post-1759394108648697132013-10-08T10:31:55.757-07:002013-10-08T10:31:55.757-07:00Unfortunately James became a victim of being grand...Unfortunately James became a victim of being grandfathered in as the Craft Beer industry developed in BC. James is a local pioneer for craft beer and deserves a lot of credit for where we are today. I 100% support him in his local business but we should try to understand why this was done. No decision is made on a whim.<br /><br />The issue though is the the LDB exists as a means of controlling the distribution and consumption of liquor. That is their sole reason for existing... When kegs are sold do consumers, I see the justification by the LDB being that this would be for a wedding, party or event that would require an SOL license that would be issued by the LDB. This. (Technically it should still be purchased from the LDB though). Through this process they are able to control, regulate and track the consumption.<br /><br />When we start talking about growlers this is for immediate consumption and there is likely liquor being consumed on site as well. For this, health codes, fire codes, and of course liquor regulation comes into effect as it is a different nature of business. Regrettably from a diplomatic point of view these actions make sense. Serving beer on site changes the nature of business which requires different permits. This is no different than an industrial vs. retail type situation outside of craft beer. The addition of growler fills changes grey to black and white and that is why the issue has come up.<br /><br />If the LDB was to turn another blind eye then any brewery in BC that was not currently selling direct could jump on board and do so. Canadian law is based on precedent so this is dangerous territory for municipal and provincial laws. <br /><br />Yes, Storm should be able to sell their beer, Yes the LDB has done wrong in revoking past exceptions but every business regardless of industry should have the proper licensing to conduct their daily operations. The LDB and local government should expedite the process given the circumstances but there is logic behind their madness.<br /><br />This event highlights many of the issues with current liquor laws in BC and with any luck it will be dealt with swiftly and the lesson will be used to improve the laws moving forward. In the meantime, next time you see Storm Beer on tap have a few pints and Support James until this whole ordeal is over with.Dustan Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07708678127181189767noreply@blogger.com