Homemade beer, wine can now be served at special events in Sask.
SASKATOON Saskatchewan residents can now serve homemade beer and wine at large family events like weddings.
On Tuesday Saskatoon Churchill-wildwood MLA Lisa Lambert announced that the province has amended liquor regulations to allow people who have applied for and received a special occasion liquor permit to serve those two types of homemade alcoholic beverages to their guests.
The permit does not allow event hosts to charge for the drinks.
Speaking to media at Wine Kitz in Saskatoon, Lambert said the government decided to change the regulations after hearing from retailers like Wine Kitz that customers were interested in serving their homemade beer and wine at special events.
“Previously, these products could only be served among family and friends in their own home,” she said.
The new regulations officially came into effect on Tuesday.
“This change is yet another example of our government's ongoing efforts to reduce unnecessary regulation and red tape where possible,” Lambert said.
Wine Kitz co-owner Brennan Bonnet told media the change is welcome. The store has had to turn away customers who were looking to make homemade brew for special events in the past, he said.
“A few times every year we end up having some people come in and say they're having a wedding, they'd like to make a bunch of wine for the wedding, and we have to send them away disappointed.”
The Bonnet family has been in the homemade brewing business for around 19 years. They started out just selling boxed kits people had to take home and brew on their own. Now, along with selling supplies, Wine Kitz and similar businesses can help people brew their products on site.
Bonnet said he believes the change will be especially welcome now, as many people might be trying to cut costs for large events like weddings.
“It's nice to be able save a little bit on the liquor tab and make a quality product that people will enjoy.”