B.C. loosens liquor rules; brewers, distillers can have lounges, tasting rooms

VANCOUVER – B.C. is loosening liquor rules by allowing brewers and distillers to have on-site lounges and tasting rooms.

Minister Rich Coleman says small and medium-sized liquor manufacturers can also own licensed establishments that are separate from their brewery, winery or distillery.

The government is also simplifying the rules for how liquor manufacturers can promote their products in bars and restaurants.

In addition, liquor products made of 100 per cent B.C. agricultural ingredients can be sold directly to the public without a liquor branch mark-up in price.

The changes are the latest in a series of recent updates to B.C. liquor laws that have also included allowing booze to sold between shows at some movie theatres, letting people bring their own wine to restaurants and allowing people to import wine from other provinces without paying B.C. taxes.