Cider made available in 60 grocery stores

How do you like them apples?

Cider has joined beer on Ontario supermarket shelves.

Premier Kathleen Wynne made it official on Friday at a Sobeys outlet in Waterloo.

“This summer, people can, for the first time, buy cider as well as beer in grocery stores across Ontario,” Wynne said. “As part of our shakeup of beverage alcohol sales, we are making it more convenient to buy cider, while expanding its availability in a socially responsible way.

“We are also increasing opportunities for our province’s fast-growing craft producers, who have turned locally made cider into one of Ontario’s emerging success stories.”

Cider will be sold at the 60 supermarkets already selling beer. Eventually, 450 of Ontario’s 1,500 supermarkets will be licensed to sell sixpacks and cider, while 300 of them will be allowed to sell wine. Wynne also announced that 70 more grocery stores are expected to be selling beer, cider and wine this fall.

Those chains and independent outlets wishing to purchase licences from the government-owned Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) have until Aug. 5 to bid on them.

Sales of domestic cider at the LCBO jumped 54 per cent last year.

Thomas Wilson, chairman of the Ontario Craft Cider Association, said the expansion to supermarkets is good news for the industry.

“We are thrilled with the opportunities government has provided to open up our local products to reach Ontario consumers,” Wilson said.

“These opportunities help us move forward on our vision to further our world-class cider industry using local fruit from Ontario farmers, creating jobs in local communities across the province.”