Not even using the backdrop of a craft brewery in Prince Edward County could convince Windsor brewers to climb onboard with the Ford government's Buck a Beer plan.
"Anything that gets consumers good value in beer is obviously a good thing," stated Walkerville Brewery Partner Ian Gourlay. "But, it's not like we'll be taking part... we just don't have the economy of scale."
BlackburnNews.com reached out to Sandwich Brewing Company, Craftheads, Brew, Frank's, and Chapter II Brewing Company. All six brewers are located in the City of Windsor. Two responded.
A crowd at Chapter II Brewing Company in Windsor (Photo courtesy of Chapter II Brewing Company Facebook)
At Chapter II, owner Chris Holt echoed Gourlay's sentiments.
"There is no way that Chapter II Brewing Company could sell beer for a dollar without compromising quality and laying people off," said Holt. "We work at very slim margins, and we try to provide a service to our community as well a delicious, frothy beverage."
Tuesday, Premier Doug Ford announced legislation to change the lowest price that beer can be sold for from $1.25 a bottle to $1. He also touted non-financial incentives, like promotional and advertising opportunities with the LCBO to help convince brewers to lower their prices.
The legislation is expected to take effect August 27, just ahead of the Labour Day long weekend.
Gourlay believes the only brewers that may be able to lower their prices to a dollar are the major, industrial brewers like Labatt Breweries of Canada and Molson Breweries.
"I think those and a few others are the ones that have the economy of scale to do it," he said. "But who knows? There may be others out there that see it as an opportunity."
Both brewers doubt their decision to bow out of the Buck a Beer plan will hurt their business.
"No. Not at all," insisted Holt. "They're there for the space we built, the friends they've made inside our brewery, and the quality."
Holt says his company is taking a different twist on Buck a Beer already by donating a dollar from each sale of their specialty batch called "Gynpa" to the Canadian Mental Health Association.