{
  "id": 5738832,
  "title": "Brewers question province’s plan for trade missions to open markets",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/brewers-question-provinces-plan-for-trade-missions-to-open-markets",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-05T07:01:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/2026/09/05/brewers-question-provinces-plan-for-trade-missions-to-open-markets"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Some Manitoba brewers are expressing confusion and frustration over the province's plan to hold interprovincial trade missions aimed at opening new markets for local beer. The government has allocated $500,000 for this initiative, and is working with the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries to assist. Breweries like Little Brown Jug and Devil May Care Brewing have long advocated for lower markups, which they say make their drinks more expensive compared to those in neighboring provinces with privatized liquor stores. Kevin Selch, president of Little Brown Jug, argues that the current markup of 29.5 percent for local brews sold in liquor marts is prohibitive, and that reducing the fee would provide \"extra money in pockets\" for brewers. However, others in the industry are more skeptical about the effectiveness of trade missions, pointing to high shipping and aluminum can costs as barriers to expanding sales. Some craft brewers simply don't have the production capacity to compete interprovincially, according to Michael Mikulak, executive director of Food & Beverage Manitoba. Ultimately, Mikulak believes that a free trade deal is needed to give Manitoba breweries a fair chance. Business Minister Jamie Moses has acknowledged the pressure on the local beer market, stating that the province wants to provide consumers with other options beyond American liquor.",
  "summary": "INSTEAD of a travel itch, confusion and frustration have emerged among some Manitoba brewers while the province plans interprovincial trade missions for the sector. The government has slated $500,000 for […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}