Hey everybody! First post here. I go on other forums a bit as well though. I am a complete noob and expect to get flamed though
I am interested in seeing what it would take to start my own distillery in Alberta. LEGALLY! I own a grain (wheat) farm and thought it would be interesting to use it as my main ingredient. So, while this should focus on the legal aspects of the operation, vodka should come from a grain? I am not sure. I have seen on the parent site that it is recommended to use a sugar wash... I want to create a high quality product as well. Not another cheap knockoff... But back to the issue. I basically need to obtain a Class E license. https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http ... r/5233.pdf Most of the things make sense. It is fairly summarized and doesn't go into extreme detail. But do I really need to produce 650,000 L of 40% vodka first year out? Reference picture: I know it says you have an extra 18 months and so on. But it seems like a really high requirement to meet. I mean, what if I just want to do a micro-distillery? It says you need the capacity, but you are not required to actually make that much? Correct? And those fermentation tanks are huge! So, anyone have any input?
Not much to tell you about the legality in Alberta except that you are reading the laws correctly, looks like distillery lobbyists have outed any chance of a start-up distillery business. Open it in BC instead, there are no production requirements there. You can contact your local government officials and complain if you want.
Vodka can certainly be made from grain, but there are no set rules that I am aware of as to the source (grain, sugar, vegetable, milk); can be anything. Wheat will make an excellent vodka though. A wheat whiskey might receive more attention however as, at least in the US, micro vodka is kind of a joke in my opinion, same shit at twice the price. Wheat vodka based cordials/liqueurs might also work.
Cheers and good luck with your "BC not Alberta distillery ",
-Loneswinger
It's better to learn from other people's mistakes than your own.
Ok thanks for the info. That kinda seems like BS. They are basically shutting out any small business opportunities. Also, I can't move so I'm stuck here. And really how much could I change? I don't think the AGLC would really care that much anyways.
I live 30 minutes from the Canadian Border to BC. Are you telling me I can buy some property across the border and be legal? Back to the topic welcome to the forum, I almost went to the University of Alberta back in the late 60's early 70's. I trained in Edmonton Alberta with the National Canadian Wrestling team as they were hosting the World Games. I ended up in the States as Canada except for Simon Frazier University (private school) does not give athletic scholarships and I could not afford the out of country tuition. I guess I did not get back to the topic but again Welcome to the forum!
758759754 wrote:Ok thanks for the info. That kinda seems like BS. They are basically shutting out any small business opportunities. Also, I can't move so I'm stuck here. And really how much could I change? I don't think the AGLC would really care that much anyways.
Agreed, it is BS. I don't suspect that you alone would change much but you should do it anyway (file a complaint). With enough complaints they might change their ways, especially if they see positive things from the BC micro distillery business: more tourism, higher tax revenues, etc.. I have noticed that the Alberta liquor laws continue to get more liberal so there is hope for you. You farmers can now make and sell fruit based wines, so it is heading in the right direction.
There might be other ways to introduce yourself into the business. For example, you could partner up with an existing-micro distillery or a to-be distillery, and provide your wheat crop and exchange ideas. Who knows where a small involvement in a distilling business could lead if you are passionate about the idea.
Don't give up just yet,
-Loneswinger
It's better to learn from other people's mistakes than your own.
Bushman wrote:I live 30 minutes from the Canadian Border to BC. Are you telling me I can buy some property across the border and be legal?
I briefly scanned through the BC laws so I am not sure but: It doesn't look like you have to be a resident there to own a business so you should be able to. You still have to properly licensed, open to inspection, pay tax on product, etc, same as in US. Distribution/sales might be tricky.
-Loneswinger
It's better to learn from other people's mistakes than your own.
Bushman wrote:I live 30 minutes from the Canadian Border to BC. Are you telling me I can buy some property across the border and be legal?
I briefly scanned through the BC laws so I am not sure but: It doesn't look like you have to be a resident there to own a business so you should be able to. You still have to properly licensed, open to inspection, pay tax on product, etc, same as in US. Distribution/sales might be tricky.
-Loneswinger
Loneswinger I'm just day dreaming! I love BC and buy a yearly fishing license really like Rivers Inlet!
Well thanks for the help so far. But keep it flowing! If I can't do it as an outright business, I will likely continue as a "hobby". It's too bad that I won't be able to share with more people though...
758759754 wrote: If I can't do it as an outright business, I will likely continue as a "hobby". It's too bad that I won't be able to share with more people though...
Well then,
Welcome. Is the plan to make some wheat vodka to start? You are going to need some sort of a reflux column still for the vodka, and some big containers that you can cook in for the mash.
Cheers
-Loneswinger
It's better to learn from other people's mistakes than your own.
I have been tinkering with the thought of starting a commercial distillery as well. I made a production planning for a quarter using one still for both stripping runs and low wines runs and having the weekends off. I also made a rough calculation of turnover and profits. Turns out that here in this country it's not feasible because 60% of turnover is creamed off by the government in excise taxes and VAT. The taxation system only makes for very large scale operations to be possibly profitable. Perhaps in Canada it's different. You will also see that you need huge amounts of storage and tankage capacity to keep the still running every weekday. The still capacity is (usually) the bottleneck in distillery operations, so it needs to be running at full capacity all the time. You need to adapt your fermenting times or fermenting capacity to the still capacity. The same goes for your low wines receiver capacity. I left out many things, this is only a provisional calculation. Perhaps the spreadsheet is of some help to you. Uploading spreadsheets is not allowed, so if you want to have it, contact me in a personal message with your email address.
Best of luck, and keep us posted of your ventures.
Mike
We were planning the same and if you call the board they will hear you and might process a special request, as long as you plan on staying small, it is possible. When we chatted with the board they thought it would be easier if you were not in the city. Key is to sell the idea to you local chamber of commerce. call them tell them you plans you might get really lucky...
All minimums have been removed, for a mere $2000 license fee, and hold a federal excise license, distill as little or as much as you like! No minimums!!
I should note that the aglc of course will want to make sure that you are following the rest of the rules, but welcome to micro distilleries in Alberta!!
I know it says you have an extra 18 months and so on. But it seems like a really high requirement to meet. I mean, what if I just want to do a micro-distillery? It says you need the capacity, but you are not required to actually make that much? Correct? And those fermentation tanks are huge! So, anyone have any input?
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