Canada's Best Wine And Beer Retailers

Canada has a unique approach to selling wine and beer, with some provinces having very different regulations to others. For example, in Quebec, you can buy beer and wine in grocery stores and corner shops, but in other provinces, there are only a limited number of grocery stores that sell alcohol. In Ontario, beer can be bought at The Beer Store or at government-owned LCBO outlets, and some rural communities are served by private outlets. In British Columbia, there is a mix of government-owned and private outlets, and some alcohol sales, including beer, take place in rural grocery stores. Alberta has a completely private system, with around 2,300 different beers available at any given time. So, if you're looking to buy wine or beer in Canada, your options will depend on which province you're in.

Beer and wine in Quebec and Ontario

In Ontario, licensed convenience, grocery, and big-box grocery stores can sell beer, wine, cider, and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages. The Beer Store is a retailer that operates a province-wide recycling program for alcoholic beverage containers and distribution. Spirits such as vodka, gin, and whiskey can be purchased at LCBO retailers and distillery retail stores.

Quebec has a rich history of brewing beer, dating back to the early days of French colonization. The beers brewed in Quebec often follow French, Belgian, and British traditions and differ from those in the rest of North America. The microbrewery industry began in the 1980s, and today, there are numerous breweries and microbreweries across the province, including well-known names like Unibroue and McAuslan.

Quebec's largest city, Montreal, hosts the annual Mondial de la Bière, a five-day beer festival that attracts around 80,000 attendees. The festival celebrates Quebec's macro and microbrews, featuring over 100 breweries and more than 500 products.

Buying alcohol in British Columbia

The rules around buying alcohol in British Columbia (BC) are quite strict. While you can buy alcohol in-store and online, the government has no plans to make it easier for people to buy alcohol by increasing options in grocery stores. The attorney general of BC has stated that the province is already struggling with alcohol-related harms and that "it's not a priority of our [the government's] to expand the number of outlets of alcohol in our province or the availability of alcohol."

Where to Buy Alcohol in BC

You can buy alcohol in-store from licensed retailers such as liquor stores, wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Some convenience, grocery, and big-box grocery stores are also licensed to sell alcohol. You can use an online map to find licensed retailers near you.

Alcohol Types and Restrictions

In BC, liquor is defined as beer, wine, or spirits, or any other product intended for human consumption that contains more than 1% alcohol by volume. Some products, such as cooking wine and liquor-filled chocolates, may be classified as non-beverage alcohol and may not be considered liquor.

The legal drinking age in BC is 19, and it is generally against the law to provide alcohol to a minor. However, there are some exceptions, such as when alcohol is given to a minor by a parent, guardian, or spouse in a residence for consumption in the residence, by a doctor or dentist for medical purposes, or as sacramental wine in a religious ceremony.

Buying Alcohol Online

Only liquor licensees with a retail storefront operation are permitted to sell their products online, including licensee retail stores and manufacturers with an on-site store. A subscription-based liquor business is not permitted in BC. However, unlicensed delivery services are allowed to deliver liquor, and delivery persons are required to be Serving It Right (SIR) certified.

Bringing Alcohol into BC

You can bring liquor into BC from other Canadian provinces for personal consumption without any restrictions or limits. However, if you are bringing or shipping liquor from out-of-province or out-of-country, including personal liquor collections and wine cellars, you should contact the Liquor Distribution Branch for more information.

Alberta's privately-owned liquor stores

In Canada, wine and beer can be purchased at select locations across Quebec and Ontario, including some Petro-Canada gas stations. In Ontario, licensed convenience, grocery, and big-box grocery stores can sell beer, wine, cider, and ready-to-drink beverages.

Alberta stands out in Canada for its unique approach to liquor sales. All liquor stores in Alberta are privately owned, and the government does not operate any liquor stores within the province. Alberta was the first Canadian province to privatize liquor retailing in 1993, creating an open and competitive market. This model has been well-received by consumers and the industry, with Albertans enjoying competitive prices and a wide selection of products.

The Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis (AGLC) is the legal importer of record for liquor in the province. It controls the importation, manufacture, sale, possession, storage, distribution, and use of liquor in Alberta. Registered suppliers and agents are responsible for ordering, consolidating, shipping, and marketing liquor. Manufacturers and suppliers sell liquor products to licensees through the AGLC, who then sell to consumers. The AGLC adds a markup to the liquor it sells, which is collected on behalf of the government and contributes to the General Revenue Fund.

The AGLC also licenses businesses where liquor is sold or consumed and enforces the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act (GLCA) and Regulation (GLCR). The Board develops policies, conducts hearings, and makes licensing and registration decisions to ensure compliance with the legislation.

Alcohol in Saskatchewan

Alcohol laws in Canada vary by province, and this is also true of Saskatchewan. The legal alcohol limit for drivers in Saskatchewan is lower than in some other provinces, with experienced drivers over 22 facing penalties for driving with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of .04 or higher, and new drivers not permitted to have any alcohol in their system.

The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) is a crown corporation responsible for the distribution, control, and regulation of alcoholic beverages, as well as gambling, in the province. The SLGA used to operate a network of around 75 liquor stores, but in 2016, 39 of these were privatized and sold to various owners, including co-operatives, entrepreneurs, and commercial companies. The SLGA continues to act as the sole licensing agent for the sale of alcohol in the province. If you are serving or selling alcohol at an event in Saskatchewan, you need a special occasion permit.

In terms of purchasing alcohol, licensed convenience, grocery, and big-box grocery stores in Saskatchewan can now sell beer, wine, cider, and ready-to-drink beverages. This expansion of the alcohol beverage marketplace is being rolled out in phases. Aside from distillery retail stores and LCBO Convenience Outlets, the LCBO is the only retailer where spirits such as vodka, gin, and whiskey are sold.

Manitoba's mix of government-run and private stores

Manitoba has a mix of government-run and private alcohol outlets. The former Progressive Conservative government had plans to increase private liquor sales, including a pilot project in grocery stores. However, the NDP blocked the bill from passing before the election.

In urban areas, government-run stores are the only places authorised to sell a full range of products, including beer, wine, and spirits. Private sales in urban areas are limited to stand-alone stores, not grocery or convenience stores, and offer a more restricted selection of alcoholic beverages.

In contrast, many rural communities have private vendors licensed to sell a comprehensive array of alcohol. A bill before the legislature seeks to expand this into cities as well.

The Manitoba government is considering adding more liquor outlets inside grocery stores in Winnipeg. These would be small, publicly run liquor kiosks, called C-Stores, in areas not conveniently serviced by Manitoba Liquor Marts.

Frequently asked questions