The Beer Store has announced a new wave of closures, with nine locations set to shut down on August 24, bringing the total to 40 stores closing in the coming weeks. This decision follows earlier closures scheduled for July 6, July 20, and August 10, as well as five locations that were recently closed on June 15.

Ozzie Ahmed, vice president of retail at The Beer Store, stated that closing a retail store is never an easy decision and highlighted the importance of these stores and employees in the community. He pointed to the changing alcohol marketplace in Ontario as a significant factor in their decision to modernize operations and focus on efficiently selling beer and managing recycling services.

The specific locations closing on August 24 include:

• Toronto — 772 The Queensway
• Toronto — 720 Spadina Avenue
• Scarborough — 1089 Kingston Road
• Richmond Hill — 8825 Yonge Street
• Bothwell — 160 Oak Street
• Blind River — 115 Causley Street
• Garson — 3098 Falconbridge Hwy.
• Manotick — 1160 Beaverwood Road
• Powassan — 760 Main Street
• Atikokan — 711 Mackenzie Street East

The rapid expansion of Ontario’s alcohol sales to include convenience and grocery stores selling beer, with the exception of spirits, has significantly impacted The Beer Store’s business model and has led to these closures.

More than 150 independent breweries in New Jersey are gearing up for the inaugural New Jersey Craft Beer Week from July 13 to 20, a statewide initiative aimed at boosting visibility and support for the craft beer industry.

Organized by the Brewers Guild of New Jersey, this campaign will include a variety of events such as tap takeovers, trivia nights, food trucks, and live music at breweries across the state, including North, Central, South Jersey, and the Jersey Shore. The Guild, representing policy interests of independent breweries and brewpubs, unveiled this initiative as their first coordinated public campaign to promote the state’s often underestimated craft beer scene.

New Jersey, despite housing numerous breweries, ranks low in brewery count per capita and beer consumption. These statistics highlight an opportunity for growth and awareness in a state that is currently lagging behind in both access to and knowledge of its craft beer offerings.

The timing of this campaign comes as the industry is emerging from a challenging period characterized by rising operational costs and regulatory hurdles related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2019, New Jersey has seen a decline in the number of breweries, dropping from around 180 to roughly 150, with a significant number of closures occurring since mid-2020.

The craft beer industry in New Jersey saw initial growth following the state’s law changes in 2012, which allowed more extensive production and distribution for microbreweries and brewpubs. However, the industry faced setbacks in 2019 due to new regulations imposed on breweries by the state’s Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), which introduced restrictions on events and food sales as a way to appease full retail license holders like bars and restaurants.

As advocates for local breweries noted the struggles posed by these restrictions, recent legislative changes have begun to ease regulations, allowing breweries more flexibility in operations and promoting local craft beer enjoyment.

The New Jersey Craft Beer Week aims to reconnect locals with breweries in their communities, encouraging residents to explore the craft beer offerings available right in their own neighborhoods. The Guild hopes this event will be the catalyst for rediscovering the state’s vibrant craft beer landscape, with specific launch events at various participating locations on July 13.

For more information about New Jersey Craft Beer Week, including a listing of participating breweries and events, you can visit the Brewers Guild of New Jersey.

Recent research has highlighted that non-alcoholic beers, which many consumers perceive as a healthier option, may not be as beneficial as they seem. As sales of these beverages surge—expected to become the second-largest beer category globally according to industry reports—scientists have raised concerns about their health implications.

In a study involving 44 healthy young men, participants were assigned to either consume two bottles of non-alcoholic beer daily or drink water over four weeks. The results revealed concerning spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels among the group that consumed non-alcoholic beer. Additionally, those participants showed increased levels of harmful cholesterol and triglycerides, risk factors linked to heart disease.

Particularly problematic were the zero-proof wheat and fruity beers, which tended to have higher amounts of added sugars. This sugar content could potentially contribute to weight gain and supplement chronic health conditions, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Despite their non-alcoholic labeling, these beverages can contain almost the same calories as standard beer, primarily due to the higher carbohydrate content stemming from added sugars used to enhance flavor after removing alcohol.

Interestingly, while many beer brands market their non-alcoholic options as healthier, the nutritional profiles suggest otherwise. Notably, a typical 12-ounce alcoholic beer contains around 14 grams of alcohol, whereas non-alcoholic versions have less than 0.5% ABV and often contain a significantly higher carbohydrate count.

The ongoing trend of younger generations drinking less alcohol has fueled the rise of non-alcoholic beers. Research indicates that social attitudes towards drinking are changing, with millennials and Gen Z increasingly opting for moderation. A 2023 Gallup poll showed a decline in alcohol consumption among adults under 35, with fewer feeling that drinking is a social necessity.

Experts maintain that any effort to reduce alcohol intake can have positive health outcomes, underscoring the importance of balancing choices in beverages. This perspective is further reinforced by health warnings linking excessive alcohol consumption to numerous health issues, including cancer risks and liver damage. The conversation surrounding non-alcoholic beer and its side effects is opening a debate about health consciousness and the future of social drinking.