Craft alcohol producers are getting creative about bringing their products to customers during the pandemic.
Christine Comeau, the new executive director of the New Brunswick Craft Alcohol Producers Association, said there’s still a demand for products.
“All in all, I would say everyone is doing OK. There is definitely a decrease in consumption and a lot of that is related of course to the social distancing so there’s less events,” she said.
Comeau was brought on as executive director on April 20 to focus on strengthening the network of craft beverage producers with government representatives, economic development leaders, and supportive licensees.
Comeau said short-term goals will include business sustainability especially during the pandemic.
“We were pleased to see the government relax the rules in terms of the restaurants who are open and are delivering alcohol or offering alcohol that they can actually deliver them as part of the food orders,” she said.
Comeau said some of the restaurants are depleting the stock and the inventory they already have, before reaching out to order more from producers.
“A lot of the craft breweries, the distilleries, the cideries and wineries are putting in provisions for home delivery as well, so it’s actually forcing folks to be more innovative and we hope that some of the practices that are being put in place now will continue post-COVID,” she said.
Comeau said she still sees people going to liquer stores, visiting craft producers directly and taking deliveries.
She said when people call in, the producer can still recommend a new product or something to try based on past products.
“There’s the conversations that are happening in the phone orders which are replacing the face to face. So there’s still conversations that are going on and there’s a lot of online resources as well,” she said.
Comeau said a big challenge ahead include how to create a beneficial economical environment for craft producers and the province.
She said the association feels like they will play an elevated role in continuing to spark economic activity, post-COVID.
