NB Liquor says new rule wont impede 2 microbreweries

The presidentof the NB Liquor says a new rule some brewers believe will kill start-ups in the province will not inhibitat least two businesses.

The rule, which came into effect this month, requires microbreweries to sell 10,000 litres of beer through NB Liquorinto obtain a Brewery Agency Stores (BAS)licence.

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

Brian Harriman, the president and chief executive officer of NB Liquor, metwith Railcar Brewing Company of Florenceville-Bristol and Grimross Brewers of Fredericton at NB Liquor'sheadquarters onTuesday.

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 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, arent hampered.

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

I was given the assurance that I will be eligible to apply for a Brewery Agency Store and Im confident based on what were doing today that well be in good stead to be able to have that," said Stephen Dixon.