‘Outdated policy’ keeping BC distilleries’ award-winning products out of liquor stores

Despite taking home several honours at the recent 2025 World Spirits Awards in Germany, you still won’t be able to find Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery products at BC Liquor Stores.

This has the Okanagan Spirits and 85 other craft distilleries in BC calling on the provincial government to fast track policy changes that would see government liquor stores support locally-made spirits.

A release from Okanagan Spirits says it’s a change that would ignite long overdue growth in an industry that could have an overwhelmingly positive impact on BC’s agriculture sector and the economy.

“Every day since the trade war started, we are being asked why Okanagan Spirits products aren’t found in Government stores. Now more than ever, consumers want to support local,” says Okanagan Spirits CEO Tyler Dyck.

“But it makes no sense for us to sell our internationally recognized whiskies in Government stores at a loss because of outdated policy.”

That outdated policy Dyck is referring to is higher markups that would result in BC distilleries making no profit, or even losing money, if they sold their spirits in government liquor stores.

According to Okanagan Spirits, craft distilleries also face additional hurdles like an annual production cap of 50,000 litres.

The production cap stifles growth and keeps these local distilleries from being able to become a bigger contributor to BC’s economy.

BC wineries, on the other hand, benefit from sales agreements and the Vinters Quality Alliance (VQA) program.

Distilleries are not asking for handouts, Dyck says, but rather a chance to keep profits local, support BC farmers and create jobs at home.

“It’s a shame that some of the world’s best spirits, produced right here in BC, aren’t available where most British Columbians shop,” Dyck adds.

“We just want the same fair shot that’s made BC wine a global success. Our distilleries could do so much more for this province if the system didn’t stack the deck against us.”

You can see Okanagan Spirits’ full catalogue of award-winning spirits online and they’re hoping that you’ll be able to see them on the shelves of BC Liquor Stores in the not-so-distant future.