Beer importer tells panel profits tanked 86 per cent since Alberta brewer tax introduced

A Calgary beer importer is challenging what it calls a “discriminatory” beer tax intended to promote Alberta’s craft beer industry that was introduced by the provincial government almost two years ago.
On Thursday, a three-person panel in Edmonton heard submissions from Ben Grant, a lawyer for Artisan Ales, who explained how the changes hurt the bottom line of the Calgary company and how the tax was contrary to the federal Agreement on Internal Trade.
Grant argued that since th