Fans 'distraught' as Prince George liquor stores run out of Canterbury beer bottles
Change to manufacturing has left stores out of stock of the locally-made beer since August
German tourists and local beer enthusiasts alike in Prince George, B.C., say they're disappointed by the absence of locally-brewed Canterbury Dark Mild bottles from liquor store shelves.
The beer is manufactured by Pacific Western Brewing and is difficult to find outside of Prince George. Cans are still available, but bottles have been out of stock since the beginning of August, according to local sellers.
"Customers prefer the taste of the bottle over the can," said Paula Hayward, who manages Shooters, a local liquor store.
"It may be the same beer, but it's not the same taste. A lot of our craft drinkers, things like that, they love their bottles."
Hayward said she's had to deal with a lot of customers upset at the lack of bottled Canterbury over the summer, including German tourists who stock up on it before heading further north.
"They were pretty distraught to see it was gone," she said.
Stocking up
The last bottles of Canterbury in Prince George may have been purchased by Sophia Iliopulos, who stocked up after being told they were no longer being manufactured.
"I went to B.C. Liquor and asked, 'Do you guys have any Canterbury left?'" she said. The store employee was able to look into the city-wide system and direct Iliopulos to every location with bottles still in stock.
"They managed to round up twelve boxes for me," she laughed. "And so they sit guarded in my house as I host guests and reluctantly pass off my last batches of Canterbury."
Unique flavour with hometown pride
Natasha Bernier is in charge of purchasing alcohol for Nancy O's, a restaurant with over sixty beers available. Canterbury is their 'happy hour' beer due to a combination of its flavour and place of origin.
"When people are looking for a dark mild, that's a really good local go-to, for sure," she said.
Iliopulos agreed.
"I like really dark, full-bodied beers and the beautiful thing about Canterbury is it's sort of a dark beer but it's a very mild flavour," she said.
Iliopulos also said the beer's appeal is increased by the fact that it's harder to find outside of Prince George.
"I've lived in Vancouver on and off ... and I asked for Canterbury everywhere I went and no one knew what I was talking about," she said. "So I just realized how northern the beer is."
Bottles to return within the month: company
While stores and fans have been under the impression Pacific Western Brewing has stopped packaging Canterbury in bottles altogether, a representative for the company said the shortage is temporary.
"We are making adjustments to our bottling line, just to make it more efficient," said sales manager Scott Rettee.
He explained the company is coming up with a more uniform way to package all of its products, and as a result has fallen behind on some products.
"Canterbury's one of our longest-standing brands, and we have quite a following and the intent was to always have it and bring it back," he said.
"It's been very great to hear the response that we've had, the number of people that love the Canterbury and can't wait to have it back."
Iliopulos said news of the bottle's return was welcome.
"I feel relieved I don't have to hoard my six boxes left," she said. "It's exciting news."
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