Pour Summer 2020 - Able BC

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Pour Summer 2020 - Able BC
Pour
             THE QUARTERLY
                                            Summer 2020

             formerly the publican
PM40026059

             » CONNECTING WITH GEN Z » ANALYZING TRENDS
                  » FOOD TRENDS » QUICK ON OUR FEET
Pour Summer 2020 - Able BC
604-271-1412 250-868-8890
  Lower Mainland               Okanagan

            boaler_inc@hotmail.com
Pour Summer 2020 - Able BC
up front                   FEATURES
                               10 Quick on our Feet

connecting with gen z
                                    Our industry is doing what it does
                                    best–take care of each other.

                               16 Village Liquor Store

6
    GEN Z BRAND EXPECTATIONS        How Village Liquor Store makes
    ARE NOT WHAT YOU THINK          life better for everyone on
                                    Gabriola Island

                               18 10 Food Trends for 2020
                                    Takeout, supporting local, low
                                    proof drinks, flexitarianism, and
                                    fermentation are top trends.

                               22 Counting what Counts
                                    Find the right data, review statistics
                                    and benchmarks, then analyze
                                    the trends.

                                    DEPARTMENTS
                               4    ABLE BC Industry Update
                               5    BC Liquor Industry Trends
                               13   Beer Notes: Wine-beer Hybrids
                               13   Product Showcase
                               14   Wine Report: Viva La France
                               21   Names in the News
                               26   Liquor Licences in BC
                               27   What’s Coming?
                               28   ABLE BC Membership Report
                               29   BC Hospitality Foundation
                               30   Spirit Spotlight: All the Fizz
                                    About Carbonation

                                    EXTRAS
                               9    Make your Business More
                                    Influencer-friendly
                               24   Fostering Employee Engagement
                                    During a Time of Crisis
Pour Summer 2020 - Able BC
» ABLE BC Industry Update
                                                            by Jeff Guignard

                                                            It’s hard to believe how quickly things changed.       Hill in Ottawa, I know how important it is for
                                                            For me, March 13th—barely seven weeks                  governments to step up to the plate. Only
                                                            ago—was the day I fully understood that BC             government has the financial resources to
                                                            was going to be irrevocably changed by the             tackle the staggering scope of our collective
Quarterly Publication for the
Alliance of Beverage Licensees                              COVID-19 pandemic that had, until then, been           challenge.
                                                            mostly confined to other places.                          That’s why we’ve working with dozens of
2nd floor 948 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1N9                By March 16th, hundreds of hospitality             business associations to fight for rent relief,
T 604-688-5560 F 604-688-8560
Toll free 1-800-663-4883                                    businesses closed. Then St. Patrick’s Day—             tax deferrals, wage subsidies, forgivable
info@ablebc.ca www.ablebc.ca @ABLEBC                        one of our industry’s most profitable days—was         loans, and a host of other measures. Although
                                                            all but officially cancelled.                          we still have much to do, I am enormously
2019-2020 Board of Directors & ABLE BC Staff
                                                                COVID-19 had officially taken root in BC.          grateful for how quickly governments have
President                Al McCreary
Past President           Poma Dhaliwal
                                                                BC’s hospitality industry was hit first—and        implemented these needed programs. Most
Vice President           Al Deacon                          hit hardest—by this pandemic. After that first         importantly, they are actively seeking input
Treasurer                Trevor Kaatz                       week, almost every LP in BC had closed. When           to proactively solve challenges. We remain in
Directors                Brady Beruschi, Michael Brown,
                                                            you add in layoffs from the accommodation and          daily contact with our government partners to
                         Yvan Charette, Stephen Roughley,
                         Barry Zwueste                      tourism sectors, our industries lost 250,000           give them feedback on which programs are
Director-At-Large        Lorne Folick, Gerald Proctor       jobs that first week alone.                            working, which need improving, and where
Executive Director       Jeff Guignard
                                                                As of late April, much of BC’s economy             gaps remain.
Director of
Membership &                                                remains shuttered or operating at reduced                 Throughout this crisis, BC’s Business
Communications           Danielle Leroux                    capacity. While some sectors like liquor retail        Technical Advisory Panel (the liquor advisory
                                                            are doing well, others have been decimated.            panel comprised of the heads of BC’s
The Quarterly Pour Editorial Committee: Megan Carson,
Trevor Kaatz, Paul Rickett, Leah Stark, Dave Lindsay        According to the BC Chamber of Commerce,               various liquor and hospitality associations)
                                                            40% of BC’s businesses have less than 90 days          has been meeting several times per week to
Designed, Produced & Published by:                          of operating cash, over half of those still open       discuss liquor policy solutions to support your
EMC Publications
19073 63 Avenue, Surrey BC V3S 8G7                          report 75% declines in revenue, and more than          businesses. Things like allowing LPs and FPs
Ph: 604-574-4577 1-800-667-0955                             half of those currently closed likely won’t reopen     to sell alcohol with take-out or delivery meals,
info@emcmarketing.com                                       once this pandemic is over.                            protecting the integrity of our supply chain,
www.emcmarketing.com
Publisher              Joyce Hayne                              The International Monetary Fund has said           and earlier opening hours for liquor retailers.
Designer               Krysta Furioso                       that COVID-19 will lead to “the worst economic         We’re also working on deferring licensing fees,
ABLE BC Editor         Danielle Leroux                      fallout since the Great Depression.”                   securing a discounted “hospitality price” for
Copyright EMC Publications                                      THAT is the true scope of what we are all          on-premise licensees, and restoring single
                                                            confronting together.                                  bottle picks from LDB Wholesale.
PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40026059                        I know many of you aren’t sure how you’re             We’ve divided our recommendations into
RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES
TO CIRCULATION DEPT EMC PUBLICATIONS                        going to make it. You’re losing sleep wondering        three general buckets: 1) urgent (i.e. what you
19073 63 AVENUE                                             how to pay your rent, property tax, and utility        need now to survive), 2) re-opening (what will
SURREY BC V3S 8G7                                           bills. And I know it hurts to tell people you’ve       help you get your doors open), and 3) recovery
email: info@emcmarketing.com
                                                            worked with for years that you have to let them        (what you need to get back on your feet in
                                                            go; that you don’t know if their job will be there     the long term). To learn more, check out our
                                                            when all of this is over.                              “COVID-19 and BC’s Hospitality Industry”
                                                                It may offer only a small comfort to say it, but   webinar in ABLE BC’s online store at ablebc.
                                                            you are not alone. None of us have ever faced          ca or drop me a line at jeff@ablebc.ca.
                                                            anything like this, but we will get through this          No one knows how long this pandemic
The opinions & points of view expressed in                  by working together. For our part, the team at         will last, or when our industry will be able
published articles are not necessarily those of ABLE BC.
Advertisers are not necessarily endorsed by ABLE BC.        ABLE BC will be here for you, and will keep            to resume some level of “normal” services.
                                                            fighting for you, for as long as it takes.             No matter what comes next, ABLE BC will
                                                                The work we do at ABLE BC on your behalf           remained focused on fighting for your interests.
                                                            has never felt more important or more urgent.             If you’d like to discuss these or other issues,
                                                                Having spent a decade working on Parliament        please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

 4 The Quarterly Pour
Pour Summer 2020 - Able BC
BC LIQUOR INDUSTRY

       trends
            Wholesale Sales October - December 2019

                                                                          Litres             % increase/decrease   % increase/decrease
                                                                                             over previous quarter  over previous year
            Beer - Domestic BC Commercial                              33,141,121                     - 13.4% 			 - 9.3%
            Beer - BC Micro Brew                                        7,030,078                      - 17.5%			 +5.8%
            Beer - BC Regional                                         11,261,106                      - 15.1%			 +4.5%
            Beer - Import                                               9,293,125                      - 17.8% 			 - 0.8%
            Cider - Domestic & Import                                   3,779,037                     - 33.0% 			 - 7.8%
            Coolers                                                     8,779,048                      - 42.1%			+22.4%
            Gin                                                           458,895                     - 13.0%			 +6.4%
            Rum                                                          1,197,991                    - 30.0% 			 - 4.8%
            Tequila                                                       256,019                     - 23.2%			 +6.8%
            Vodka                                                       2,455,175                       +3.6%			               +2.4%
            Whisky                                                      2,233,194                     +20.7% 			- 0.01%
            Wine - BC                                                  11,091,512                       - 1.8% 			- 0.08%
            Wine - Canadian                                               301,802                     +44.6%			+60.6%
            Wine - USA                                                  2,186,238                     +25.2%			 +2.9%
            WineTotal                                                 21,606,908                        +6.7% 			- 0.05%

            Hospitality Sales October - December 2019

                                                                           Litres            % increase/decrease % increase/decrease
                                                                                             over previous quarter over previous year
            Beer - Domestic BC Commercial                                5,874,012                   - 2.1% 			- 12.3%
            Beer - BC Micro Brew                                         2,797,899                - 14.8%			 +7.4%
            Beer - BC Regional                                           2,738,126                - 17.6% 			 - 5.5%
            Beer - Import                                                2,075,323                  - 6.1% 			 +4.7%
            Cider - Domestic & Import                                      530,131                - 23.1% 			 - 3.4%
            Coolers                                                        260,810                - 40.1%			+16.0%
            Gin                                                             85,372                  - 6.8%			 +6.0%
            Rum                                                              91,174                 - 5.2% 			- 10.8%
            Tequila                                                         90,748                - 14.0%			 +9.2%
            Vodka                                                          260,367                  - 7.5%			 +0.1%
            Whisky                                                         154,460                 +12.5% 			 - 5.6%
            Wine - BC                                                    1,504,523                  - 9.5%			 +1.7%
            Wine - Canadian                                                 19,606                - 40.7%			+22.8%
            Wine - USA                                                     195,467                 +14.4% 			 - 5.1%
            WineTotal                                                    2,576,807                  - 4.2%			 +0.2%

At the end of last year, most trends continued on the same path as they were heading earlier in the year. Domestic commercial
beers continued their decline as craft beers and RTDs took their market share.
Rum is definitely declining in popularity both in hospitality and wholesale sales. Tequila slowed its growth in the last quarter,
but still showed gains over last year. Not surprisingly, whisky sales were strong over the holidays, but haven’t increased much
year-over-year.
Canadian rosé wine sales from outside of BC were making big gains earlier in the year, but had an over 40% drop in the last
quarter, in both hospitality and wholesale sales, as the weather started to cool. Red wines from USA took some of that market
share, so the ‘Buy Local’ message wasn’t very strong over the holidays.
                                                                                                                                    The Quarterly Pour 5
Pour Summer 2020 - Able BC
Top 3 Ways to
         Connect with Gen Z
                 GenZ Brand Expectations are Not
                         What You Think
                                by G r ac e La n u za

Emerging from the shadow of Millennials, Generation Z is making waves         behaviours and highlighted the great ways on how being “typical” is
and claiming its place in society. With a firm grip on social influence and   the true essence of what makes a difference in the world. Combined
the spending power of $143 billion, companies are eager to capture their      with great imagery and key messaging that tugs on the heart strings
attention, which is only the first step. When a brand is “lit” (as the cool   of everyday “typical” life scenarios, it conveys their brand’s “why”.
kids say these days!) and turns the impression into an engagement, and        The realness is revealed, it’s seen as not manufactured or “fancy”,
then eventually into a conversion or a sale, that’s when the rubber meets     but something that the viewers themselves or someone in their social
the road. But how do you do that?                                             network might have experienced before.
   Traditionally, companies have had a large                                                                    Now what does that have to do with

                                                   The intent is
focus on conversion. However, with this                                                                       making and selling beer? Everything!
generation it’s all about purpose, intent,                                                                    Because ads like these make the
and connection. They want to be seen and                                                                      content real and relatable to the people
heard, and have a strong stand on core
values that they apply in their everyday lives.    something that Gen Z                              s
                                                                                                              who are buying and consuming their
                                                                                                              products.

Purpose
What is your company’s purpose and how
                                                   zero in on.                                                     Intent
                                                                                                                  When reaching out to connect with
do you make that come to life? A bigger                                                                           consumers, the intent is something that
question is, does your brand live its purpose and is it infused in every      Gen Zs zero in on. They want to know why companies want to connect
bit that is consumer facing? This generation expects to know your “why”       with them and most importantly how they want to connect.
and then they make the decision to engage with your brand.                       Anyone can hire a big-time celebrity to represent a brand, but this generation
   Studies have shown that it takes an average of eight seconds for           sees through that. The importance of transparency and authenticity is
this consumer mix to decide whether they deem your brand worthy to            paramount to today’s key messaging. The rise of “micro influencers” on social
interact with. Aligning your purpose in a concise and meaningful way is       media bleeds onto retail and ecommerce. This generation wants to know who
key for brand engagement. Budweiser’s “Typical American” Superbowl            is using the product. Real people who share their life in digestible snippets on
commercial did just that. They took the “typical” American stereotype         social platforms promote the realness and relatability factor.

6 The Quarterly Pour
Pour Summer 2020 - Able BC
How can you apply this to your business? Invite influencers into your
pub and liquor store, create a photo wall, and provide opportunities to
make great photos that they can share with their followers. The White
Claw phenomenon is real and not just on memes anymore. The rise of
the White Claw Gang and White Claw Crew makes the brand’s intent
clear: they have real people drinking their products and it is firmly
infused into the White Claw culture and lifestyle.
   Gen Z like the glory of acquiring something that is desired by others
and the feel of belonging to a clan, a crew, or a cult following who
prescribe to the ideal “Instagram famous” vision amongst their peers.
The White Claw brand makes it easy for their consumers to desire the
product but more so, to desire the intended lifestyle the product makes
the consumer experience. In this case, it’s not just a drink, it’s also an
experience, and a fun one at that.

Connection
Gen Z crave connection that leads to community building. In the recent,
COVID-19 pandemic, Gen Z were quick to adapt to technology resources,
which may seem detached to some people, but they are using it to
connect and cultivate their community. They tend to gravitate towards
companies that also understand connection and community with the

                                                                             The Quarterly Pour 7
Pour Summer 2020 - Able BC
added bonus of being able to encourage the freedom of self-expression.
                       The success of apps such as TikTok covers all of that, along with the
                       ease of a mobile platform, which this generation lives on. One of the
                       most popular features of TikTok is the “duet” feature where creators
                       can “co-create” with another person and put their own spin to things.
                       Instagram has followed suit with the update of being able to go “live” on
                       Instagram stories with another user. Creating connection and building
                       community creates influence and clout, which turns into conversion.
                         In today’s uncertain times, what is your company doing in order to
                       prepare to capture the wave of this new generation? Stanford Professor
                       and author, Bob Sutton recommends thinking of what you can do to
                       connect on an emotional level and then you’ll be able to “guide their

                       Creating connection and
                       building community creates
                       influence and clout...
                       behaviour to more tangible outcomes.” Consider taking an inventory of
                       your brand, its values, messaging, and behaviours. How do you make
                       your brand come to life? How do you make Gen Z consumers be able
                       to feel like they are your co-creators and not just customers?
                          What we have learned lately is how brands are able to pivot when
                       faced with adversity and be of service to their community on a global
                       scale. When thinking of your next campaign or even a social media post,
                       consider if it serves your brand’s purpose, if it has a clear intention, and
                       how it will create connection with your new consumer. They’re here,
                       they’re waiting, and there’s no turning back.

                       O’Hares’ owners Erinn & Grant Bryan

8 The Quarterly Pour
Pour Summer 2020 - Able BC
Make your
Business More
influencer- friendly
by Lindsay O’Donnell

‘Influencer Marketing’ is one of those
buzzwords that gets thrown around a lot. It’s
like how people use the word ‘synergy’ or
‘brand awareness’. They all can be powerful
assets in your marketing toolbox, but the
majority of the time people throw those
words around without being purposeful and
strategic. Influencer marketing is one of those
elusive things that every business feels they
need, but many aren’t sure where to start.
   My advice is to take some time and understand
what exactly an influencer is and what their job is.
This will make it so much easier for your business
to work with one. Why work with an influencer?
You can reach new customers and drive sales.              You’ll also notice that most new restaurants          The goal here is to access their audiences
   Let’s start with the basics. An influencer          and cafes have feature walls. This is because         by having them talk about and promote your
is anyone who has influence over a group of            people are generally looking for somewhere to         brand on their digital channels. What they’re
people, usually within a niche. I usually see          take photos that immediately tell people where        getting is fresh content. But remember, they
three types of influencers:                            they are. It can be as simple as statement            don’t want to talk about what everyone else
• Digital Influencers (bloggers, YouTubers,            wallpaper or a living wall with plants. Make it       has already reviewed. So offer something timely
      Instagrammers)                                   easy for people to take photos of your place          and unique, like trying a limited edition cocktail
• Community Influencers (i.e. yoga teachers            to share.                                             or a product with a seasonal recipe.
      who are out in their community every day            Making your business accommodating to                 I also use this outreach as a way to see who is
      in a leadership role)                            influencers is just the first step. This is the low   genuinely enthusiastic about the brand so that
• Expert Influencers (i.e. a food scientist who        hanging fruit. Next comes outreach.                   when we’re ready to start paid partnerships,
      has influence within their industry)                                                                   I know who provides the most value. You’re
   We’re going to cover digital influencers            Reach Out to People                                   trying to get some online conversation going,
and how to build long-lasting and productive           For most businesses or brands, I recommend            but you’re also vetting who you might want to
relationships with them.                               reaching out to one or two influencers a              work with more seriously in the future.
   An influencer’s job is to produce new,              month. Offer to send them some of your                   One of the most impor tant things to
fresh content that is timely and relevant. That        dishes to try. Find influencers who have similar      remember is to maintain relationships with
means they need news that is relevant to their         audiences as you or currently are engaging            those who you had a good experience with.
audience and they generally need fresh and             with businesses in the same neighbourhood.            It can be a bit of work finding people and
unique photos.                                         Send a simple message saying why you’re a             coordinating a partnership, so keep those
   The good news is, they need you as much as                                                                valuable contacts happy by reaching out when
                                                       fan of what they do, what you’d like to offer
you need them! Brands and influencers have a                                                                 you have something new for them to talk about.
                                                       them for free, and why it would be worth
symbiotic relationship.                                                                                         It may take a bit of trial and error in the
                                                       sharing it with their audience.
                                                                                                             beginning, but these relationships can be
                                                          Remember that if you aren’t paying bloggers
Make it Easy to Share                                                                                        extremely valuable to you as you grow and
                                                       or Instagrammers anything, you can’t ask
So, if you want to get more online conversation                                                              build your online presence!
                                                       for anything in return. Consider this type of
(i.e. more customers talking about you on              outreach like sending a press release. You’re
social media), make an influencer’s job easy.          sending it out and hoping for the best.
If they come to your business, can they get                                                                  Lindsay O’Donnell is the founder and owner of
                                                          What you can do is be specific about what
good photos? Is the food plated nicely? Is the                                                               Piquant Marketing, a Vancouver-based agency
                                                       you’d like. Offer a free meal or a free product
lighting adequate? Do you have unique and              sample and suggest they review it on their blog       that grows food and wellness businesses.
seasonal products or dishes?                           or Instagram stories.                                 @piquantmarketing

                                                                                                                                   The Quarterly Pour 9
Pour Summer 2020 - Able BC
Quick on Our Feet
                   The Intrinsic Adaptability
                  of our Hospitality Industry
                           by Lau r a Sta r r

                                                                                                          Courtesy of Resurrection Spirits Distillery & Lounge

These last weeks have been a devastating time for our society as
we slowly descend into a harsh new reality that leaves many people           Distilleries
uncertain, unbalanced, unsupported, and unemployed. The hospitality          In one of the most feel-good moments since COVID-19 became a
industry in particular has taken a hard blow, as many are small businesses   household name, we started to see local distilleries catch wind of a
with miniscule profit margins and high numbers of employees on               desperate need for hand sanitizer. These manufacturers switched
minimum wage. Many are feeling overlooked by the government for              up their entire production lines to start supplying front-line workers,
support, and while there have been many hands thrown in the air from         hospitals, nurses, palliative care centers, senior facilities, and at-risk
all sectors, there has also been a very                                      communities with donated hand sanitizer.
touching wave of creative solidarity.                                                                         Jacob Wiebe, manager of Shelter Point
    The hospitality industry is resilient
and adaptive by nature – being
                                           shelter point                                                   Distillery on Vancouver Island, said they
                                                                                                           were compelled to make the quick switch in

                                           distillery was able to
quick on our feet is how we survive                                                                        production after being approached by medical
every day and night of service,                                                                            clinics and hospitals that were dangerously
bartending, stocking liquor shelves,                                                                       low or completely out of hand sanitizer. In
and accommodating customer
demands. And now, in the face
                                           make and donate 2000L                                           only a few short days, they were able to make
                                                                                                           and donate 2000L of medical grade hand

                                           of medical grade hand
of a global pandemic and forced                                                                            sanitizer to Vancouver General Hospital.
shutdown, businesses that thrive                                                                           Since then, with an overwhelming amount of
                                                                                                           sweat, volunteers, and overtime, Shelter Point

                                           sanitizer.
on fostering human connection are
stepping up and doing what our                                                                             will have manufactured just shy of 40,000L,
industry does best–take care of                                                                            most of which is donated, but now some being
each other.                                                                                                made available to the public at a cost.

10 The Quarterly Pour
In East Vancouver, Resurrection Spirits picked up on the sanitizer
                                                                            trend and immediately recognized a need for it not only for front-line
                                                                            workers in hospitals, but also the struggling Downtown Eastside (DTES)
                                                                            communities. Founder Brian Grant, who is no stranger to community
                                                                            initiatives and helping out those in need, didn’t want to wait to distill
                                                                            and decided to use his own neutral grape spirit to make a fast 800L of
                                                                            sanitizer that was promptly delivered to those most in need and at risk
                                                                            in the DTES. Since then he has organized a GoFundMe to raise funds
                                                                            to continue the production and distribution of sanitizer.
                                                                               The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch recently changed its
                                                                            policies to support distilleries in their endeavours to help out–resulting
                                                                            in many more companies jumping on board.
                                                                               There have been talks and promises of support and payment from
                                                                            different governments and agencies, but for the most part, these
                                                                            distilleries started production out of their own pockets, using their own
                                                                            supplies and with the dedication of their hardworking staff, many of
                                                                            whom are donating their time. Now that there seems to be enough
                                                                            sanitizer for the front lines, these companies have opened up their sales
                                                                            of sanitizer to the public, and many are offering it barely at cost. It is a
                                                                            point of pride to call these companies our own, and it is worth an extra
                                                                            cheer to these champions in our industry who stepped up to help out
                                                                            when our communities needed it most.

Courtesy of Resurrection Spirits Distillery & Lounge
                                                                            Bars, Pubs, and Restaurants
                                                                            Where distilleries had the capacity to step in with sanitizer production, bars,
   The tone is similar at Wayward Distillery. Owner Dave Brimacombe,        pubs, and restaurants have been able to do this with food and beverage
ex-Canadian military, immediately noticed the effect of COVID-19 on the     (we can all be grateful for the loosening of liquor delivery regulations).
small town of Comox, which consists of mainly family businesses that           Trevor Kallies, bar beverage director of Donnelly Group, spoke to
simply couldn’t keep up with product demand. Being so attached to the       the devastation of laying off employees and feeling helpless against this
community and the people, as well as attuned to the essential need for      pandemic. The Donnelly Group implemented a lunch program for their
protection for front-line workers, Brimacombe quickly modified Wayward      employees who had been let go, offering boxed lunches several days a
Distillery’s production line and came through with sanitizer for not only   week as a way to help alleviate food costs while people figure out how
front-line workers, but also other areas of need such as palliative care    to make ends meet. Kallies was quick on his feet too and took on the
centers, senior facilities, and warehouses.

                                                                                                                               The Quarterly Pour 11
Courtesy of Wayward Distillery

responsibility of maintaining communications         their doors. Originally intended for their staff,   Survival of the Quickest on their Feet
with all staff. He works to keep everyone            they then opened up their cheap and wildly          The initiatives continue to gain momentum,
engaged and informed during these trying             delicious dishes to the public, with a mandatory    as our hospitality hearts continue to grow and
times, from offering current government              $2 donation to the Food Bank, as well as            evolve. But one thing is for certain, no matter how
information, to signing up staff for online liquor   the chance to buy a “suspended stew” for            tough these times might get, we can do this. Our
and bar training courses through Bar Smarts          someone in need.                                    capacity to nurture and care for our community
and Ananas–currently available for free.               Keefer Bar was also on the ball when they         is ingrained in our industry, and when faced with
   Takeout has been the most common                  shut their doors and immediately announced          a crisis, we will figure out how to stay on our feet.
foodservice adaptation, but some estab-              the sale of online gift cards with 100%             Lean into that inherent adaptability that goes so
lishments took it upon themselves to do more         proceeds going to their staff. Many other bars      hand in hand with hospitality, and together we’ll
than just try and survive–they wanted to make        have rolled out similar incentives since, each      see this crisis through to the end!
sure everyone else was fed, too. Say Mercy           with a heartfelt endeavor to make sure their
rolled out their Staff Meal initiative seemingly     hospitality family is going to be looked after.
moments after restaurants were told to close

12 The Quarterly Pour
BEER
Wine-Beer Hybrids
                 NOTES
There is an old adage about never mixing the grain
and the grape, but it seems like BC breweries are
                                                                        by Joe Wiebe
                                                                                                                        PRODUCT
                                                                                                                        SHOWCASE
doing just that with more and more frequency.
Wine-beer hybrids or so-called “grape ales” are
the newest trend to hit the craft beer world, and the
results have been very tasty indeed.
   Brewers have experimented by fermenting grape
juice or grape must (freshly squeezed grape juice
with skins, seeds, and stems included) or pomace
(just the solid portion of the must) along with typical      It featured Riesling grapes blended with a tart
beer ingredients (barley, hops, water, and yeast).           farmhouse ale, elderflower and sweet woodruff, and
Sometimes, they also choose to age these hybrid              fermented with wild yeast.
grape ales in foeders or wine barrels, adding extra             Parker Reid, Head Brewer at Field House,
character from the wood. They might funk them up             was first inspired by a beer he tasted at Burdock
with Brettanomyces yeast or purposefully sour them           Brewing in Toronto three years ago. A collaboration
with mixed bacterial cultures.                               with a Niagara winery called Pearl Morissette,
   Several BC breweries have dabbled in the style,           Bumo 2 featured a blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Rosé,
including: Brassneck Brewery and Strange                     and one-year-old barrel-aged Saison. “It just blew
Fellows Brewing (both in Vancouver); House of                me away,” Reid remembers, adding that he soon              GIGGLEWATER
Funk Brewing in North Vancouver, where every                 realized “there are so many different grapes and so        PROSECCO DOC
beer spends time fermenting or conditioning in               many different flavours. That was three years ago.         Sparkling Wine
wood at some point; Spinnakers Brewpub in                    We’ve just been experimenting ever since.”                 Italy
Victoria, which first dabbled in the style back in              Field House’s main winer y par tner in this
2014 using Vancouver Island grape juice to brew              endeavour is Whispering Horse in Yarrow, near              Gigglewater, a term used
its Ortega Blonde; Steel and Oak Brewing in                  Chilliwack. Reid’s favourite of their grapes is called     in the 1920s for alcoholic
New Westminster; and Coalesce Brewing, a side                L’Acadie, which reminds him of the Nelson Sauvin           beverage.
project founded by Twin Sails Brewing’s head                 hop. Speaking of hops, Reid sometimes doesn’t
brewer Ryan Voigt.                                           even add hops because the grapes have so much              Winner: Best Prosecco
                                                             flavour. In other cases they “use hops to accentuate       – Alberta Beverage
   Luppolo Brewing (and its in-house side project
                                                                                                                        Awards
Temporal Ales) has also explored the wine-beer               certain flavours.”
hybrid style quite a bit, which perhaps makes sense             Field House would like to work with bunches of
                                                                                                                        “A pale straw yellow
considering its Italian roots. After all, brewers in Italy   grapes directly, but they are very expensive and
                                                                                                                        colour precedes this
have been making “uva birra” or grape beer for more          difficult to find, apparently, so the brewery is putting
                                                                                                                        flowery, exuberantly
than 15 years already. Italian Grape Ale was even            in grapes at its own farm, a project that began in
                                                                                                                        fruity, light bubble.
recognized as an Italian regional style by the Beer          2018 to support the food program at the brewery.
                                                                                                                        Apples, lemon and fun
Judge Certification Program (BJCP) in 2015.                  As well, the brewery is moving its entire barrel           mark the palate and not
   Steamworks Brewer y, based in Burnaby,                    program and foeders to the farm, which has its             necessarily in that order.
partnered with Blasted Church Vineyards to                   own manufacturing licence: the Field House Barrel          This Glera fizz is ready to
make a special Saison fermented with fresh                   Room. It takes two or three years for grape vines to       party.”
Gewürztraminer grape must. Some of it was                    mature enough to bear fruit, so they won’t be making       GismondiOnWine.com
released as Sanctuary Saison, and some was put               any beers with their own grapes for a while yet.
away in barrels with Brettanomyces yeast, then                  All around BC, breweries are exploring the
bottle conditioned with white wine yeast. The                possibilities of brewing beers with traditional wine
resulting beer was called Purgatory.                         ingredients mixed in. Whether you call them grape          750ml +100011 SPEC
   Abbotsford brewery Field House Brewing has                ales or beer-wine hybrids, the results are often           $14.99 Wholesale
released more than a dozen grape ales over the               unique and tasty. And with such a strong wine              $17.99 Hospitality
past few years. The first was Wild Riesling Ale, a           industry here in BC, just think of the collaborations
collaboration with the Head Brewer from Dogfish              that will occur as local partnerships form between         604-737-0018
Head, the famously experimental Delaware brewery.            breweries and wineries.                                    dhs-wine.com

                                                                                                                         The Quarterly Pour 13
Wine report                             by Tim Ellison

Viva La France
Following the Vancouver International Wine Festival, there is renewed
excitement for the wines of this year’s featured country, France.
   And with good reason, as France straddles ideal latitudes for
grape growing and all types of climatic conditions are represented,
from Continental in the east, cool to the north, hot in the south, and
Mediterranean to the west, particularly around Bordeaux. The country
encompasses all of the best growing climates for wine grapes. France
is also located on the convergence of the African and Eurasian tectonic
plates and the ensuing volcanic activity and other earth movements have
contributed to a unique variety of soil types and composition.
   The French are experts at identifying exact geographic/climatic
conditions and then carefully matching them best to the variety to grow
in that region, right down to the plot. There have been centuries of
experimentation, observation, and documentation of the performance of
different varietals and clones in various places. Linkage has been made
to how this information influences the decisions around wine making and
characteristics of the finished wine. This knowledge has contributed to
their mastery of wresting the best a vine has to offer.
   As a result, France is the only country in the world able to produce,
arguably, the best examples of wines from of all 8 of the noble grape
varieties. These French regions can lay claim to producing world class
wines from all the following varietals:
   • Chardonna, Burgundy, Languedoc, Champagne
   • Sauvignon Blanc, Loire, Bordeaux and Languedoc
   • Riesling, Alsace
   • Pinot Gris, Alsace
                                                                                 Courtesy of Wine Folly
   • Pinot Noir, Burgundy, Champagne, Alsace
   • Merlot, Bordeaux and Languedoc
   • Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux and Languedoc
   • Syrah/Shiraz, Rhone and Languedoc                                         AOC Bourgogne level. Chablis AOC especially is producing some clean,
   So, no matter your style of cuisine or service, from seafood driven         crisp, unoaked Chardonnays that sing with seafood and are fantastic
to burgers and fries, bistro style to fine dining, there is a French wine      all on their own. Plus, look for amazing values in richer oaked whites
ideal to serve. That coupled with a recent string of great vintages have       from the Macon and Cotes Chalonnaise to the south of the Cote d’
caused consumers to discover France all over again.                            Or. Cremant de Bourgogne, offering sparkling wine that is made from
   The wine producing regions and their most famous styles of wine             the same grapes as in Champagne, can provide great value for dollar
are as follows:                                                                drinking pleasure.

Alsace                                                                         Burgundy (red)
Look for aromatic Gewürztraminer, dry, high alcohol Riesling, and              Red Burgundy can be tricky, so know your negotiant (the reseller of
delicious, unctuous, and incredibly inexpensive Pinot Gris (especially         someone else’s grapes or wines), grower or Domaine, region or village,
from the Grand Cru sites).                                                     and vintage (there have been some very good ones lately). Some great
                                                                               wines, at all price points, are available but be sure to do your research,
Burgundy – Beaujolais (not to be missed these days)                            work with a trusted importer, and try to taste the wines before committing
Eschew the lighter, fruity, carbonic maceration produced incarnations          to purchase them. Often available in extremely limited quantities and at
for the traditionally vinified versions of Gamay offered from ten named        heart stopping prices, with careful selection these can be some of the
villages or Crus–Morgon, Moulin-au-Vent, and Brouilly are some of my           most ethereal and delicate (yet complex) wines you’ll ever taste.
favourites.
                                                                               Bordeaux
Burgundy (white)                                                               Famous for the 1855 classed growths or Crus, these are not just high-
A string of great vintages (except some difficulties in 2016) since the late   priced red wines anymore. At the lower and mid-price points, the reds
2000s has resulted in some awesome wines even from the value driven

14 The Quarterly Pour
from the Medoc and Haut Medoc (the bulk of the regions production)            Provence
are comprising increasing amounts of Merlot in the normally Cabernet          The classic region famous for rosé wines is enjoying renewed popularity
Sauvignon dominant blends to provide plumper, more approachable               as people are enjoying dry pink wines in ever increasing quantities.
wines in their youth. And finally, there is reason for some real excitement   Discover the Grenache-based sweet red wines from Banyuls. Some
for the whites, especially those from the Entre Deux Mer region. The          very old vintages are available in the market for surprisingly low prices
whites of Bordeaux are seeing ever increasing amounts of Sauvignon            considering their age.
Blanc (as opposed to the traditional Semillon) and decreasing amounts
of oak (including some exclusively stainless-steel versions) so the end       Languedoc-Roussillon
result is fresher, brighter wines more similar to the New World style as      This is one of the more exciting regions in France today for both quality,
opposed to the flabby, oxidated, over-oaked versions of old. Check            diversity, and value. Great lighter wines from PicPoul and rich, value
them out and don’t overlook some of the more moderately priced white          driven Viogniers are especially impressive whites, but even more exciting
and red wines. There are tremendous values in the teens to mid-20’s           are the generous, muscular, and powerful reds. Syrah has always led the
price points.                                                                 charge and the exploitation of established communes like Faugeres, St.
                                                                              Chinian, Minervois, and La Clape are allowing the true potential of the
Champagne                                                                     terroir to be unleashed. Producers like Gerard Bertrand are identifying
The big houses have long dominated this scene. But now, grower                superior sites that anywhere else would achieve ‘Grand Cru’ status.
champagnes, which are made in much smaller quantities from producer-          Producers are crafting wines that could command ten times the price
owned plots of land are making flavourful bubble at all price points.         if they were to have come from more storied regions like the Northern
                                                                              Rhone, Burgundy, or Bordeaux. Also, you can find some expansive,
Loire Valley                                                                  brooding reds dominant in Mouvedre (popularly known as Monastrell
Nantais - Muscadet is great as a light white aperitif and ideal with          in eastern Spain).
seafood (oysters on the half shell!) and young cheese. Drink young and            These wines are classics and you need to be aware of them. But the
cold! Premium versions are often from the Sevre Maine area, which takes       more well-known and established regions aren’t what is causing the
its name from the two rivers that flow through the vineyards.                 greatest stir in the sommelier community.
Anjou – Saumur/Touraine - This is probably the most underappreciated
area in France after Alsace. For a unique, delicate expression of Cabernet    Emerging Regions
Franc, look to the region of Chinon. Throughout the region, the whites        Look for fresher, less oxidized wines from the Jura of both traditional
made from Chenin Blanc (both dry and sweet) are a revelation of this          grapes like Savagnin, Poulsard, and Trousseau, and international
grape’s potential. You can find famous and reliable dry and off dry rosé      varieties like Chardonnay. Deep, tannic reds made from Tannat are a real
made from Cab Franc and Grolleau.                                             treat when sourced from Madiran in Southwest France near Bordeaux.
Central Vineyards - Sancerre/Pouilly Fume - This region produces a            The Tannat grape has enough structure to age for long periods produces
Classic bone-dry version of Sauvignon Blanc, which is steely and crisp.       seductive and sensual reds. Even the younger wines it will stand up
The wines of Pouilly Fume have a smoky nuance owed to gunflint soils.         to the most intense of dishes. Now that Argentina has created global
                                                                              acceptance for the Malbec grape to stand alone in a bottle of wine,
                                                                              give the wines of Cahor a try. Malbec, known locally as Cot, has long
Northern Rhone
                                                                              been the majority component of the red wines of this region. Dark and
The northern region comprises only 5% of the overall Rhone’s total
                                                                              brooding, these powerful reds provide great drinking enjoyment on their
volume, but produces some of the valley’s most famous wines, such as
                                                                              own and are a delight when paired with grilled meat and/or vegetables.
Hermitage and Cote Rotie, which are rich, deep, and powerful versions
                                                                                 There is a reason France is revered all over the world for their wine
of Syrah. Keep an eye out for some exciting developments in the whites
                                                                              producing prowess. The better known, more established regions are
as well. The exotic and heady Viogniers from Condrieu and the exclusive
                                                                              building on their strengths producing a string of good vintages. But the
Chateau Grillet will redefine your expectations for wine from this grape.
                                                                              real excitement is getting generated by the emerging regions that are
                                                                              seeing increasing investment and care as entrepreneurial winemakers
Southern Rhone                                                                are forced economically to explore these lesser known areas. Look for
Look for great value, and exciting red wines from the villages including
                                                                              real value and interesting wines from yet to be discovered grape varietals.
Seguret, Gigondas, Vacqueryas, and Rasteau made from an extensive
                                                                                 Ask your reps if they have some great values or unique wines from
blend of varieties (a total of 13 with Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan, and
                                                                              these emerging regions. Your staff will like being able to offer something
Syrah often dominant). The classic red wines of Chateauneuf-de-Pape
                                                                              different and your customers will enjoy the opportunity to experience
are being given a run for their money by the marked improvements in
                                                                              something new. Viva la France!
the whites of the Southern Rhone, and consumers’ interest in wines
made from grapes other than Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay like
                                                                              Tim Ellison is a Certified Sommelier & Chef de Cuisine that has dedicated
Grenache Blanc, Rousanne, and Marsanne. Don’t overlook the serious
                                                                              over 45 years to a career in the hospitality industry including running
rosé wines of Tavel, which are grown on the right bank of the Rhone.
                                                                              the Medoc Marathon in 2011. Currently, Tim is Director of Sales at the
Surprisingly powerful for rosés, they make a credible substitute for red
                                                                              prestigious Vancouver Club. tim@vancouverclub.ca
wine on a hot summer day.

                                                                                                                              The Quarterly Pour 15
VILLAGE LIQUOR STORE
How Village Liquor Store Makes Life Better for Everyone on Gabriola Island
by Joanne Sasvari

It is said that no man is an island, and no one knows that better than a          found himself working in English pubs and discovered that he enjoyed
man who actually works on one.                                                    it much more than science. “I liked the people side of things,” he says.
    “When you have a business like this on a small island, you can make              He studied hospitality at university in the UK, then came back to BC
a big difference,” says Michael Brown, the owner of the Village Liquor            where he worked at Vancouver’s Pan Pacific Hotel before buying a
Store in Gabriola Island.                                                         fine dining restaurant in West Vancouver. Around the time he closed
    Gabriola is a speck of land in the Strait of Georgia, about five kilometres   the restaurant he heard that a pub was up for sale on one of the Gulf
and a 20-minute ferry ride east of Nanaimo. About 4,000 people, many              Islands, and went to check it out. And just like that he was the owner
of them artists, call its 57.6 sq. km. home, and a good number of them            of the Surf Pub and a resident of Gabriola Island.
frequent the Village Liquor Store.                                                   “I’d never been to Gabriola before, never even knew it existed,” he says.
    Located in the FolkLife Village mall, the store is a wood-and-glass              Four years later, he bought Silva Bay Resort & Marina, then he
structure with a rustic ambiance, a lofty 1,800-sq.-ft. space with walls          switched gears and opened the liquor store. “Before it opened, there
and shelves crafted from wood, and a giant mural of local characters              was only the government store,” he notes. “It was at the far end of the
painted by a local artist.                                                        island, and it used to close down between 12 and 1 every day for lunch.”
    “The entire store was built and designed by Gabriola. I’m a huge                 Village Liquor tries to fill the gaps that the government store can’t fill, not
advocate for keeping everything on the island,” Brown says. “This is all          just in terms of service, but also product. “We sell basically everything–wine,
about people. It’s about our staff and our customers.”                            beer, spirits, cider,” says Manager, Adam Giles. “We have a focus on
    Brown opened the store in 2004. It wasn’t, to be sure, his first career       international wines as many of our customers are looking for something they
plan. Originally from West Vancouver, about 30 years ago he was                   can’t find at a government store. And I like to boast that we have one of the
studying science at UBC when he decided to take time off to travel. He            best selections of scotch in the province. It’s a very well curated selection.”

16 The Quarterly Pour
It’s a feeling of pride to
support local businesses.

    In addition to all the inexpensive Spanish and Chilean wines, high-
end French and Italian vintages, Japanese sakes and Mexican mezcals,
Village Liquor showcases local wine, craft beer, and artisan spirits from
distilleries including Sheringham, DeVine, Wayward and Shelter Point.
As Giles says, “We try to focus on Vancouver Island because it’s closer
to home and it’s a feeling of pride to support local businesses.”                  And for the past three years, he’s donated 1% of sales during the busy
    Giles and Brown also make sure the staff are well trained on those           summer season, about $6,000 annually, to local charities– “anyone who
products. Brown likes to boast that the newest staff member has been             has a good cause.” This year, he plans to start early because he figures
with the store for five years. “I do not have staff turnover. I love my staff.   people will need the help more than ever.
I treat them like my family,” he says. He himself works in the store, and          Brown no longer lives on Gabriola because he has teenage children
believes an owner should “never ask your staff to do anything you                and the island doesn’t have a high school. However, he still works there,
wouldn’t do.” And yes, that includes cleaning the toilets.                       cares for the community, and shows just what a difference a small
    He also believes in supporting community however he can. For                 business can make.
instance, a few years ago, he moved the store from its original location           “When you’re a business in a small community, to give back to
to allow the local library to expand. “It was for the good of the island,”       that community is huge,” Brown says. “And in return, the community
he says.                                                                         supports you.”

                                                                                                                                The Quarterly Pour 17
10 Food Trends
                     for 2020
            How COVID-19 has (and hasn’t) Affected
                our Drinking and Dining Habits
                                by J oa n n e Sasva r i

As 2020 dawned, trend spotters figured they had a handle on what we’d          Vancouver or the Black Bear in Lynn Valley. (The restaurant collaborative
be eating and drinking in this new decade. (Oat milk figured heavily.) Then,   Breaking Bread has compiled a growing list at breakingbreadnow.com.)
only a few weeks later, a global pandemic changed everything. Now it’s         This has led to a huge rise in the use of food delivery services like Skip
fair to say that COVID-19 will affect every aspect of our lives for some       the Dishes, Uber Eats, and Door Dash. These services have helped
time to come. It will change society in a myriad of ways, big and small, in    establishments stay open, but at a cost of hefty fees that add one more
the short term and the long. It will, above all,                                                                  expensive item to a pub’s bottom line.
alter the way we socialize, celebrate events,                                                                     The turn to takeout has also affected
and share our meals.
   But COVID-19 aside, there are other
                                                   Hearty and                                                     the type of food that is being served.
                                                                                                                  Takeout, after all, needs to be sturdy

                                                   comforting handhelds,
changes in the way we’re eating and                                                                               enough to survive the journey in an
drinking in 2020, most of them patterns that                                                                      insulated bag. That means fussy
began in 2019 or even earlier. Here are the                                                                       food is out; hearty and comforting
biggest trends we’re seeing on the plate,
in the glass, and in the clamshell container.
                                                   curries, pastas, and                                           handhelds, curries, pastas, and salads
                                                                                                                  are in. Of course, this is exactly the sort

1. Total Takeout                                   salads are in.                                                 of satisfying cuisine most pubs have
                                                                                                                  been serving for decades.
The biggest, most fundamental change in
2020 has been the pivot from dining in to takeout and delivery. In March,      2. Supporting Local
we were all sent home to “flatten the curve” of the pandemic, and only         It’s too early to assess the full economic impact of COVID-19, but it’s
essential services were allowed to keep operating. Pubs and restaurants        not too early to sense that, more than ever, we want to support our
were among the first businesses to shut their doors, the exceptions            neighbours: the people who grow our food, bake our bread, brew our
being those who offered takeout and delivery, such as Darby’s Pub in           beer, make our cheese, raise our chickens, and distill our spirits. BC

 18 The Quarterly Pour
has long been in the forefront of locavorism, and
we can expect that movement to grow as the
province recovers from the pandemic. The BC
Wine Institute, for instance, is already urging
consumers to buy local wine as a key message
of its response and recovery efforts.

3. Low (and No) Proof Drinks
Over the past couple of years, the “sober
curious” movement has been growing and is
expected to continue doing so, especially with
Nielsen reporting that two-thirds of millennials
say they are making a conscious effort to reduce
their alcohol consumption. Low- and no-proof
cocktails allow everyone to join the party, as
do 5% ABV hard seltzers like Nude, Nütrl and
White Claw, which has just entered the Canadian
market. Consumers are also looking for thirst
quenchers that are naturally low in alcohol but
big in flavour, like vermouth and spritzes.

4. Flexitarianism
Even consumers who still enjoy the occasional
steak are eating less meat these days. In part
it’s because of the number of new, plant-based
proteins like Beyond Meat, which have made
it easy to skip the beef without sacrificing the
flavour or the pleasure in your burger. Fake meat

                                                    The Quarterly Pour 19
aside, consumers are simply craving lighter and veggier fare, which is       8. Non-dairy Milk and Butters
considered to be better for our bodies and the planet.                       About two-thirds of the world’s adult population struggles to digest lactose,
                                                                             the sugar found in dairy products like milk and butter. That, coupled with
5. Fermentation                                                              a growing awareness of the environmental impact of dairy herds, has led
In food and drink, fermentation is the process of converting carbohydrates   Canadians to seek alternatives to dairy–we already consume 20% less of
to alcohol or organic acids using microorganisms such as yeasts              it today than we did in 2009. Oat and soy milks made a splash in 2019;
or bacteria. More appetizingly, it’s how grain becomes beer, grapes          expect to see them used increasingly in products like chocolate, ice cream,
become wine, milk becomes cheese, and flour becomes sourdough                and yogurt. Also look for plant-based milks made from flax, sunflower,
bread. These transformative foods have the deep, complex flavours            and hemp seeds as well as vegan seed and nut butters.
we’re craving now, and are thought to

                                                 It seems nothing can
improve gut health, too. So raise a glass of                                                                 9. Flour Dust-up
kombucha and join the fermentation party.                                                                   A few years ago, all a baker could find
                                                                                                            on grocery shelves was industrially
6. Korean Food
Speaking of fermentation, it seems
                                                 quell our love for                                         produced wheat flour, which is heavily
                                                                                                            processed with chemicals including

                                                 kimchi.
nothing can quell our love for kimchi,                                                                      bleach, stabilizers, and preservatives.
the spicy Korean side dish of salted and                                                                    Since then, there has been a growing
fermented vegetables. In fact, according                                                                    excitement about freshly milled organic
to Yelp, we’re loving all Korean foods right now–bulgogi (barbecued          flours from ancient grains like spelt, kamut, and einkorn as well as
beef strips), bibimpap (mixed rice bowls), and the side dishes               heritage wheat such as the warmly nutty Red Fife. These flours are
collectively called banchan, all of it slathered in gochujang, the sweet-    more flavourful and more nutritious, and are rekindling our love of carbs.
spicy-savoury fermented chili paste that tastes so good on everything.
                                                                             10. Less Food Waste
7. Less Sugar/Better Sugar                                                   There’s nothing like a global pandemic to make you aware of just how
Every decade has its health bugaboo–cholesterol in the 1970s, carbs in       much food you’re wasting, right? The Commission for Environmental
the 2010s–and the 2020s are no different. Now it’s sugar’s turn in the       Cooperation has estimated that Canadians waste 85 kilograms of food
nutritional penalty box. Refined sugars are linked to a host of chronic      per person per year, and in recent years we’ve been trying to reduce
illnesses, and they lurk in three-quarters of processed foods. Now the US    that amount. Sort of. But in 2020, with food prices projected to increase
Food and Drug Administration has mandated that nutrition labels show         4% even before COVID-19 emptied store shelves, we can expect those
an “added sugars” value. As a result, experts anticipate that consumers      efforts to get serious.
and manufacturers alike will reduce sugar use. Meanwhile, consumers             In short, food in 2020 will be better for our health, better for society,
are seeking sweetness in less refined products like sorghum syrup.           and better for the planet. And that’s a pretty palatable trend.

20 The Quarterly Pour
» names in the news
        by Pamela Gray

Awards                                                                           2020 New World International Wine Competition
2020 Canadian Artisan Spirit Awards                                              Congratulations to Fort Berens Estate Winery (Lillooet, BC) that received
Congratulations to all the BC 2020 Canadian Spirit Award Winners!                a silver medal for their 2018 Chardonnay and a bronze medal for their
Artisan Spirit of the Year - Sheringham Distillery (BC)- Kazuki Gin              2017 Meritage Merlot.
Best in Class/Distinction - Arbutus Distillery (BC) - Arbutus Barrel             For a complete list of winners visit: www.nwiwc.com/results.html
Aged Absinthe
Best in Class - Monashee Spirits Craft Distillery (BC) - Garlic Vodka            The Vancouver International Wine Festival
Best in Class - Old Society Spirits (BC) - Bittersweet Vermouth                  The Vancouver International Wine Festival announced the 2020 trade
Best in Class/Distinction - Merridale Cidery & Distillery (BC) - Cowichan        competition winners at Celebrating Excellence, a program honouring
Spiced Rum                                                                       professionals who contribute to BC’s exceptional wine and food culture.
Best in Class/Distinction - Shelter Point Distillery (BC) - Shelter Point        Congratulations to the following award winners:
Single Malt                                                                      Spirited Industry Professional Award - Dana Lee Harris
For a complete list of winners visit: https:/artisandistillers.ca/2020-results   2020 Sommelier of the Year Award - Peter Van de Reep
                                                                                 For a complete list of winners visit: https://vanwinefest.ca /
2020 World Gin Awards                                                            blog/2020/02/28/2020-trade-competition-winners/
Congratulations to all the 2020 Canadian Winners!
Country Winner - Compass Distillery Gin Royal (NS) - Contemporary Gin            Appointments
Gold Winner - Seventh Heaven (QC) - Premium Dry Gin                              Krista Bax has been appointed as CEO of go2HR–BC’s tourism human
Silver Winner - Collective Arts Distillery (ON)- Artisanal Dry Gin               resource association. Bax is poised to lead go2HR on an exciting new path
Bronze Winner - Wabasso (QC) - Wabasso Gin                                       forward after the organization underwent significant changes last year.
For a complete list of winners visit: www.worldginawards.com/winner/             She has more than 20 years of experience in various strategic leadership
Gin/2020/taste                                                                   roles. Prior to joining go2HR, she was the Senior Vice President, Western
                                                                                 Canada at Context, a strategic engagement and communications firm.

                                                                                                                                The Quarterly Pour 21
Counting
                what Counts
    Analyzing Trends to Increase Performance
                           by Ta n i a M o ffat

 Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that             Finding the Right Data
              counts can be counted. - Albert Einstein                          Private liquor stores and pubs in BC can find reliable information on
                                                                                provincial trends from the Alliance of Beverage Licenses (ABLE BC),
   Endless amounts of information bombard us in our daily lives. It seems       BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB), and BC Wine Institute.
data is gathered on everything. To the masses, this may seem trivial, but the     The LDB publishes an Annual Service Plan Report covering the
right information–reliably sourced and correctly interpreted–can provide        previous fiscal every July. The report outlines business efficiencies,
businesses with invaluable insight into many facets of their operations.        improvement processes, and sales trends within their stores for the
                                                                                prior year. These reports can be found online under reports at www.
Not All Data is Equal                                                           bcldb.com.
Historical information can be used to provide cause and effect details            The LDB’s Hospitality and Wholesale Liquor Market Reviews record
about past successes and failures. Predictive analysis can help to              provincial sales from all channels for beer, refreshment beverages, spirits
forecast future trends. Traffic patterns and product trends can assist with     and wine. Sales are further broken down in each category and are
meeting customer needs at the service level and identify what products          provided in net dollar values and litres. Summarized data for the current
are ‘hot’ and which ones aren’t. Demographics can identify your target          quarter and previous four quarters can also be found on their website.
customer and the most successful marketing vehicles to reach them.                Liquor retail stores can find industry benchmarks in the second
Financial data and market research can provide benchmarks for your              annual LRS Benchmark survey conducted by ABLE BC in partnership
business and guidance on how to reduce costs and increase sales.                with Paul Rickett, VARKeting! An overview was published in the
The benefits of analyzing data trends are as endless as the data itself.        Spring issue of The Quarterly Pour and detailed. Results can be found
   Before you rush out to start gathering intel though, do some research.       on www.ablebc.ca under Advocacy.
Not all data is equal. If you want to make informed decisions that are
based on industry facts, you need to use information that has been              Getting help
gathered by a reputable source in an unbiased manner. Government                Let’s face it; most people don’t find analytics to be the most exciting way
sourced statistics and independent market research companies are often          to pass the time. If you are statistics savvy, go crazy and breakdown
excellent places to start. If you want to understand how your business          that data on your own. For those who would rather leave the number
stacks up against industry norms, you need to start asking questions            crunching to someone else, experts can assist with making the
and compare similar data. Wine sales in small-town Missouri won’t have          information more digestible. Sometimes, finding an analyst is the most
much relevance to Vancouver’s retail wine market.                               efficient and reliable way to analyze market trends.

22 The Quarterly Pour
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