Trump tariff talk boosts N.S. craft beer business

Nova Scotia craft breweries have seen increased demand for their products since U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian goods, but they wonder if the extra support will last.

Andrew Tanner, president of the Craft Brewers Association of Nova Scotia and the founder of Saltbox Brewing in Bridgewater, said customers are making a point of visiting breweries and telling staff they're there to support local businesses.

"We've been very lucky to have very loyal, local customers ... but I think the urgency of the support may perhaps wane a bit as this is not as fresh in people's minds," said Tanner.

When it appeared the tariffs were going to be put in place, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston ordered that the NSLC remove all American alcohol from its shelves as part of the province's response.

However, because this order applied to products made, manufactured and/or produced in the U.S., this would exclude beers that people may perceive as American, such as Budweiser or Coors. That's because those products sold here are brewed in Canada.

In Halifax, the Oland Brewery is part of the global beer company Anheuser-Busch InBev. It produces beers such as Budweiser and Bud Light.

The company did not respond to a request for information about how many people the plant employs.

Tanner said craft brewers in the province have always had a consistent message for residents.

"Support the folks that are creating jobs in your local rural communities or Halifax and all that money is staying in the local communities,'" he said. "And … we're huge supporters of charitable organizations and fundraising events."

According to the NSLC's second-quarter financial results, Nova Scotia craft beer sales represented 16 per cent of beer sales.

Craft brewers looking for more shelf space at NSLC

While there was a 4.1 per cent increase in local beer sales, "beer sales overall were flat," NSLC spokesperson Terah McKinnon wrote in an email.

Tanner said brewers have been pushing for more shelf space at NSLC locations, especially given the market share has increased for local craft beer.

McKinnon said the NSLC lists products by 35 local beer producers.

"Over the past few years, the number of local beer producers carried in stores has continued to increase, as well as the number of listings and amount of shelf space dedicated to these products," she said. "These efforts ensure access to and representation of the products Nova Scotians want to buy."

McKinnon said the NSLC works closely with associations and individual producers to provide coaching and support on how to do business with the liquor corporation and get products to market.