B.C. beer drinkers are generally paying more for their brew since the provincial government's liquor pricing reforms took effect in April.
New Democrats released an that shows more than 85 per cent of beer types now cost more than they did in March while less than 10 per cent have gone down in price.
Attorney General Suzanne Anton had there would be no significant price increases with the move to standard wholesale prices and said critics were "beer mongering."
The typical price increase is not large B次元官网网址� about 2.8 per cent B次元官网网址� but the price hikes are more likely to hit craft beer lovers than those who quaff beer from big labels like Budweiser and Molson, which are largely unchanged.
Several beers from Victoria's Driftwood Brewery are up at least seven per cent, as is Delta-brewed Four Winds IPA, and some varieties from Kelowna's Tree Brewing are up nearly 17 per cent.
More than 200 varieties of beer are up at least five per cent since March.
The Opposition called the changes a stealth beer tax.
"Despite repeated promises that beer prices wouldnB次元官网网址檛 increase, the B.C. LiberalsB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址榳holesale price reformB次元官网网址�, has now resulted in retail price increases for B.C. beer," NDP leader John Horgan said.
Private stores now pay the same wholesale price as the government liquor stores, which have been allowed to open Sundays and sell cold beer. The was supposed to create a level playing field for retailers while maintaining the government's total revenue at $1 billion a year from the wholesale liquor markup.
Craft beer fans fear higher prices will hurt their booming industry.
"Our vibrant craft beer community will pay more for no discernable reason other than a government cash grab," said Ari Dressler, president of the . "The updated pricing model is hugely disappointing for the consumer."
According to the Liquor Distribution Branch, prices are reviewed and change on an ongoing basis according to demand, profitability and other factors.
Price increases and promotional discounts applied in June may have made some beer types more or less expensive.
Anton said the government fully supports the B.C. craft beer industry, which has seen sales triple in five years.
"LetB次元官网网址檚 put things in perspective: every month, some prices go up and some prices go down B次元官网网址� just as any other retail cost of goods B次元官网网址� but weB次元官网网址檙e talking about cents here," Anton said in an emailed statement.
"At the end of the day, itB次元官网网址檚 up to consumers to decide how much they want to pay for a product and where they want to shop."
