In-Store Brewing Authorization - Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba

In-store brewing retailers sell customers the ingredients and provide them with advice, service and equipment to make beer or wine for personal consumption at their home, an offsite private location or at the retailer’s location.

After mixing their beer or wine, the customer leaves it at the retailer to ferment and returns after the specified time (approximately four to six weeks) to bottle their beer or wine and remove it from the site.

An authorization from the LGCA is required to operate as an instore brewing retailer. There is no application fee or any other fee to maintain an in-store brewing authorization.

Standards

Retailers with an in-store brewing authorization must comply with the standards set by the LGCA.

STANDARDS: In-store brewing

Ready to apply? Click here to learn about our in-store brewing application process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any special requirements that in-store brewing retailers must meet?

Yes, in-store brewing retailers must:

meet federal excise requirements under the Excise Act (for beer) and the Excise Act, 2001 (for wine and high-alcohol beer). These federal acts establish requirements for the production, storage and packaging of beverage alcohol at in-store brewing facilities;
comply with the LGA’s standards for in-store brewing facilities which are based on the federally-legislated requirements;
comply with municipal zoning and food handling requirements;
make sure the area where beer or wine is produced is not accessible to the general public;
ensure the production area is age-controlled and that minors are monitored by an adult; and
limit quality control taste testing to the person making the beer or wine and ensure the amount consumed does not exceed 120 ml of beer or 60 ml of wine.

How does an in-store brewing retailer comply with the federal excise acts?

Can in-store brewing retailers mix or brew beer?

Can beer or wine made at an in-store retailer be used for commercial purposes?

Can someone use the beer or wine they make at an in-store brewing retailer at a social or wedding?

Can minors participate in making beer or wine?

No. Minors may not make beer or wine and they cannot assist parents or guardians mix ingredients or bottle the finished product. Minors may be employed by an in-store brewing retailer, but must be supervised by an adult. Minors employed by an in-store brewing retailer are restricted from participating in any functions related to the making of beer or wine, and are limited to basic retail functions (e.g. customer service, cashier, stocking shelves, cleaning, etc.).

In-Store Brewing

Standards

Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions