TORONTO, ON – The LCBO – Ontario’s government-owned liquor distribution and retail agency – has announced its financial results for the 2015-16 fiscal year, and Ontario craft beer and cider have once again shown some of the largest sales growth of all product segments at the retailer.
Sales of Ontario craft beer hit $69 million for the year, an increase of more than 35% over 2014-15, while Ontario craft cider sales jumped 54% to $5.1 million. Both were well ahead of the 11.7% increase seen for the full beer and cider segment, which includes all domestic and imported products.
A number of initiatives are noted as playing a part in this growth, including the establishment of specialized craft beer sections are select store locations. The large Craft Beer Experience section at Toronto’s Summerhill store, which includes a growler station, has been a success, and a similar section is set to open at an Ottawa area store this summer.
For more details, see the full press release at the LCBO media centre, as well as backgrounders on craft beer and craft cider.