Sask. most patriotic beer drinkers, top cider and cooler buyers in Canada

When it comes to liquor sales in Saskatchewan, beer is still king of the land. But according to newly released figures, residents of Rider Nation love their wine coolers.

Annual alcohol sales statistics released today by Statistics Canada shows that ciders, coolers and other refreshmentbeverages hadthe greatest market share in Saskatchewan, representingnearly sixper cent of total sales of alcoholic beverages in 2014-15.

The lowest market share for this category ofdrinks was in Qubec, with sales representing on 1.2 per centof the market.

Of the $622 million in total salesin the province last year, beer and spirits accounted for $284 million and $214 million respectively.

Wine sales accounted for $89 million dollars, while just over $36 million in refreshment beverages such as coolers and ciders were purchased by Saskatchewan residents.

People in Sask.amongmost patriotic beer drinkers

According to Statistics Canada, overall beer sales across the country increased two per cent last year, but the imported beer market increased by just over nine per cent.

However, the figures show that among provinces, Saskatchewan residents are the most patriotic beer drinkers, with only 3.4 per cent of beer sales going to imported brands; in contrast nearly 20 per cent ofbeer salesin Ontariowere for imported beers in 2015.

• Saskatchewan to privatize 40 government-owned liquor stores

• Growler jug refills now allowed at liquor stores in Saskatchewan

Wine sales were also up (4.1%) with over 481 million litres sold countrywide last year. While all provinces and territories saw increases, Alberta (+8.2%) and Saskatchewan (+6.6%) posted the great increases.

Over $21 billion worth of alcoholic beverages were sold in public and private liquor store in Canada in the 2014-15 fiscal year, representing over threebillion litres of product.