The taps wonB次元官网网址檛 exactly run dry, but the Alberta Gaming and Licensing CorporationB次元官网网址檚 decision to hike its markup for out-of-province microbreweries is less than ideal for View Royal-based 4 Mile Brewing Co.

While Vancouver Island and the rest of B.C. are clearly 4 MileB次元官网网址檚 main markets for distribution, the microbrewery does ship its beers to Alberta and Manitoba as well.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 kind of a secondary market for us,B次元官网网址� said Graham Haymes, one of the owners of the family-run business, adding that 4 Mile entered the Alberta market this spring.

Two of its beers are sold in that province and they plan to distribute a seasonal fall brew there as well.

As of Aug. 5, those products will be sold with a $1.25/L markup in Alberta, up from just 10 cents per litre before the provinceB次元官网网址檚 monopoly liquor wholesaler decided to hike the rates on all microbreweries producing under 20 million litres per year.

A subsidy system for Alberta craft breweries will give them an advantage over their B.C. competition.

B次元官网网址淲hile our membership is based in B.C., we have been encouraged by our neighbours in Alberta in their growing affinity for craft beer,B次元官网网址� Ken Beattie, executive director of the B.C. Craft Brewers Guild, wrote in a statement last month.

B次元官网网址淚t is disheartening to see that the Alberta government does not recognize that such extreme increases in markup to craft brewers outside Alberta will damage what could be a growing industry in the province and reduce affordability and selection for its own craft beer lovers.B次元官网网址�

The office for Joe Ceci, AlbertaB次元官网网址檚 Minister of Finance, was not immediately available for comment.

Four Mile had been in business for many years before deciding to enter the craft brewing game three years ago, just as the wave of microbrewing momentum was beginning to crest.

Haymes says their venture into the market is going well so far. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a pretty competitive market right now,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e focused on building up a core business locally in View Royal with the brew pub and then expanding into Victoria B次元官网网址� and then reaching out as weB次元官网网址檝e added capacity and the equipment to brew.B次元官网网址�

The company distributes five beers in the Victoria area and three in Vancouver, with more options coming out of their main location on the West Shore.

TheyB次元官网网址檝e also recently expanded and doubled the size of their liquor store on Goldstream Avenue in Colwood, giving them 5,000 square feet to work with.

B次元官网网址� with files from Tom Fletcher/Black Press

joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com