Many breweries in Alberta are in a rage over the new Alberta beer tax, but a Fort McMurray craft brewery is welcoming the change in the hopes that it is a start to a better future for the industry. Wood Buffalo Brewing Co. co-owner Brett Ireland stated “We’re definitely pleased with it. There is a lot of beer coming in from outside the province and it’s difficult for Albertan brewers, if not impossible, to get beer into their provinces. So this tax is kind of leveling the playing field. We would love to see the entire country go to a non-protectionist model for all brewers across the country.” The new tax is set at a flat rate of $1.25 per litre, and this tax does not take into account the size of the brewery.

The Alberta beer tax may be seen with optimism by the Fort McMurray craft brewery but many outside of the local area are not so enthused with the idea. According to Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming authority Don McMorris the tax will be an impediment to free trade between provinces in Canada. Great Western Brewing Co. CEO Michael Micovcin feels that Alberta breweries will receive preferential trade treatment. For Alberta Small Brewers Association Terry Rock the tax represents industry growth though. Brock explained “If we had an open Canadian market and the government of Saskatchewan didn’t have centralized buyers who were making the decision about whether to stock Alberta beer or not… I might have a different opinion. But at this point, that’s not the case.”