Buying Beer In Canada: What You Need To Know

Canada has a unique approach to selling beer, with different provinces adopting different systems. Beer can be purchased online for home delivery, in-store pickup, or curbside pickup. However, this service is currently only available in Ontario. In most provinces, beer is sold in government-owned outlets, private outlets, or a mix of both. Some provinces, such as Quebec, have a more liberal approach, allowing beer sales in corner stores and gas stations. The Beer Store, operated by foreign-owned breweries, and LCBO outlets are popular options in Ontario. During the COVID-19 lockdown, many breweries offered new shopping options, including social distancing protocols, direct home delivery, and reduced shipping costs.

Where to buy beer in Canada

Canada has a reputation for its beer, with over 1,100 breweries across the country. Beer and liquor are generally sold through specialised stores, except in Quebec, where beer and wine can be purchased in grocery stores and small convenience stores.

British Columbia

British Columbia operates a mixed system for alcohol sales. Beer can be purchased from government-owned outlets, private outlets, and some rural grocery stores. It can also be bought at breweries or from bars and restaurants offering off-sale products. Beer is also available at farmers' markets.

Alberta

Alberta is the only province in Canada with a fully private alcohol sales system. Beer is available in bars and restaurants.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan also operates a mixed system, with beer sold at government-run outlets and some privately-owned franchises in rural areas. There are also some fully private stores.

Manitoba

Manitoba has a mixed system similar to British Columbia's. Beer is mostly sold through stores run by the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corp. It is also available in privately-owned stores attached to hotels, some of which are open until 2 a.m., and in private outlets in rural communities. A limited number of grocery stores also sell beer.

Ontario

Ontario has a complicated approach to beer sales. Beer can be bought at The Beer Store, which is operated by a trio of foreign-owned breweries, and at government-owned LCBO outlets. There are also privately-owned agency stores in rural communities. Beer is now also available in some grocery stores.

Quebec

Quebec has a more liberal approach to beer sales. Beer has long been available in corner stores (dépanneurs) until 11 p.m., and individual cans and bottles can be purchased at these locations—the only province where this is allowed. Beer is also sold at provincially-owned liquor stores, privately-owned agency stores, and local breweries.

Nova Scotia

In Nova Scotia, beer is available at government-owned NSLC stores and agency stores in rural areas. Some craft beers can be found at a limited number of private specialty wine stores.

Prince Edward Island

Most beer in Prince Edward Island is sold at locations owned by the P.E.I. Liquor Control Commission or privately-owned agency stores. There are also several craft breweries that sell their beer for takeaway, and a number of bars and restaurants with off-sale beer available.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador is the only province in Eastern Canada where locally brewed beer is available at some corner stores and gas stations. It is also sold at government-owned liquor stores or directly from craft breweries.

Northwest Territories

There are seven liquor stores operated by the NWT Liquor Commission, and a few communities where off-sale beer is available from restaurants.

Yukon

The Yukon Liquor Corporation runs six stores, and some restaurants and bars offer off-sale beer. Beer and other alcohol can also be ordered from warehouses and delivered to homes in Iqaluit.

How to buy beer online in Canada

In Canada, all beer and liquor are sold through specialised stores, except in Quebec, where beer and wine can be purchased from grocery and convenience stores. In Ontario, for example, there are two main outlets for buying alcohol: The Beer Store and The Liquor Store (LCBO). While these stores do not currently offer online ordering, there are other options for buying beer online in Canada.

Online Beer Retailers

One option for buying beer online in Canada is to use an online retailer such as Wine Online, which offers a wide range of beers, including craft beers, ales, pilsners, and IPAs. Wine Online provides free shipping on orders of 12 bottles or more across Toronto and the rest of Canada.

Beer Clubs

Another option is to join a beer club, such as the Canada Craft Club, which offers monthly subscriptions of hand-selected beers delivered directly to your home or office. The Canada Craft Club features beers from Canadian breweries and provides detailed online profiles for each beer, including reviews, tasting notes, and food pairing suggestions. However, it's important to note that those who live in a province where importing alcohol from other provinces is restricted will not be able to order from the Canada Craft Club.

Delivery Restrictions

When ordering beer online in Canada, it's important to be aware of any delivery restrictions that may apply. For example, additional charges may apply for deliveries to rural areas, and some retailers may not deliver to certain provinces due to restrictions on importing alcohol.

Beer delivery services in Canada

Canada has a thriving beer industry, with over 1,100 breweries spread across the country. There are several beer delivery services in Canada, each offering a unique range of beers to cater to different preferences. Here is a list of some popular beer delivery services in Canada:

• The Beer Guy: This service offers a wide range of beer, liquor, and wine options with free delivery on the first order. They provide same-day delivery across Ontario and have a variety of promotions and reward points for customers.
• Canada Craft Club: This is a monthly subscription service that curates rare and hard-to-find craft beers from around the world and delivers them right to your door. They offer exclusive member privileges, no contracts, and the flexibility to skip or cancel anytime.
• Drizly: Drizly is an online platform that offers a variety of Canadian beer styles, including spruce beer, ice beer, and cream ale. They promise delivery within 60 minutes of placing an order.

In addition to these services, Canada also has physical stores dedicated to selling beer, such as The Beer Store in Ontario, which provide customers with a wide range of options to choose from.

Beer shopping options in Canada during COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadians had to adapt to new ways of buying beer as the usual methods of in-person shopping were no longer available. Many breweries across the country stepped up and offered new shopping options, including:

• Implementing social distancing protocols at their retail shops
• Offering direct home delivery
• Reducing or removing shipping costs on mailed packages
• Operating delivery and/or pick-up only services

Additionally, both government-run and private alcohol retailers remained open in most provinces.

Atlantic Canada

• New Brunswick: ANBL stores remained open with reduced hours and special protocols in place.
• Nova Scotia: NSLC stores remained open with reduced hours and special protocols in place; restaurants were allowed to sell alcohol for takeout or delivery when ordered with food.
• Prince Edward Island: Most PEILCC stores were closed, but several remained open with reduced hours and special protocols in place; some restaurants were allowed to sell alcohol for takeout when ordered with food.
• Newfoundland: NLC stores were closed to walk-in shopping, but most locations offered a pre-order pick-up service.

Quebec

• SAQ stores were open with reduced hours and special protocols in place, and online ordering for delivery was available.
• Grocery stores and depanneurs were open, some with reduced hours and special protocols in place.

Ontario

• LCBO stores were open with reduced hours and special protocols in place, pre-order pick-up at some locations, and delivery via Canada Post was available.
• Beer Store locations were open with reduced hours and special protocols in place, and pre-order pick-up and delivery were available at some locations.
• Licensed grocery stores were open, most with reduced hours and special protocols in place.
• Restaurants were allowed to deliver alcohol when ordered with food.

Prairies

• Manitoba: Liquor Mart stores were open with special protocols in place, and direct delivery was available in some areas; restaurants were allowed to deliver alcohol when ordered with food.
• Saskatchewan: SLGA stores were open with special protocols in place; private stores were allowed to remain open and offer delivery services; restaurants were allowed to sell alcohol for takeout and delivery orders.
• Alberta: Most private stores were open, with AGLC recommending special protocols; restaurants were allowed to sell alcohol for takeout and delivery with or without food orders.

British Columbia

• BC Liquor stores were open with special protocols in place.
• Most private liquor stores were open, many with special protocols in place.
• Restaurants were allowed to deliver alcohol when ordered with food.

The North

• Yukon: Yukon Liquor stores were open.
• Northwest Territories: NWT Liquor stores were open with reduced hours and special protocols in place.
• Nunavut: Iqaluit Beer & Wine Store was open with special protocols in place.

Alcohol sales regulations in Canada

Canada's alcohol sales regulations vary by province. Here is a summary of the regulations in some of the provinces:

British Columbia

Beer, wine, and spirits are sold in provincially-owned and private liquor stores. Craft beer can be purchased directly from a brewery. Since 2015, wine has also been available in grocery stores that meet specific rules.

Alberta

Alberta has a privatized liquor retail industry, with around 2,400 retailers offering over 30,000 products. Liquor is also sold at some 7-11 retail stores.

Saskatchewan

Customers can purchase alcohol from licensed retailers, which can be standalone stores or businesses attached to permitted restaurants. In smaller communities, businesses can sell alcohol alongside other products, provided they have a liquor license.

Manitoba

Manitoba has a mix of private and public channels for alcohol sales. In urban areas, government-run stores offer a full range of products, while there are also private beer vendors and a small number of private wine stores. The government-run stores include small "express" boutiques inside some large grocery stores. In rural and northern communities, private vendors sell a full range of products.

Quebec

Beer and a limited selection of wine—imported in bulk and bottled in Quebec—are sold in supermarkets and convenience stores. Liquor and most wines are available only through the province's liquor corporation, the SAQ.

Ontario

Ontario has recently announced that convenience stores and all grocery stores will be allowed to sell beer, wine, cider, and ready-to-drink cocktails by 2026. Currently, there are two main outlets for purchasing alcohol in the province: "The Beer Store" and the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO).

New Brunswick

The provincial liquor corporation oversees sales of all alcohol. Since 2014, wine has been available in some grocery stores, and today there are 66 grocery outlets in the province that sell cider, wine, and beer.

Prince Edward Island

Liquor, beer, and wine are sold in 18 corporate retail outlets and 12 liquor agency stores across the province. The outlets are operated by the Prince Edward Island Liquor Control Commission, which uses a request for proposal process to appoint the liquor agency vendors. Most of the liquor agencies have other complementary retail onsite.

Nova Scotia

Beer, wine, and spirits are sold at provincially-owned liquor store outlets. Some beer, wine, and spirits are also available at private wine and specialty stores, as well as manufacturer retail stores.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Beer made in the province is available in various convenience stores. Liquor, beer, and wine are sold at provincially-owned liquor store outlets.

Frequently asked questions