BC Ferries to test out selling beer and wine on some vessels: report
Posted April 17, 2019 8:58 pm.
Last Updated April 18, 2019 11:01 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Enjoying a glass of wine or cold beer while taking the ferry could soon become a reality.
BC Ferries is set to launch a pilot program to sell beer and wine on select rides this June, according to an internal memo obtained by media outlet The Orca.
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According to the memo, passengers would only be allowed to buy booze with a meal at the Pacific Buffet, and could only have two drinks. BC Ferries isn’t confirming any details, but does say a program is in the works.
“I can say we have been communicating with our employees in part because in part because yes we are looking to introduce a pilot over the summer that will introduce beer and wine in the Pacific Buffet,” said Astrid Braunschmidt with BC Ferries. “The communication is really about some of the training and giving our employees some information as we start to work out some of the details.”
The pilot project will start with three vessels that operate between Vancouver and Victoria, including the Spirit of British Columbia, Spirit of Vancouver, and the Coastal Celebration, according to the Orca,
Ian Tostenson is the President of the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association, and he’s giving it the thumbs up.
“I was in a Helijet today in Victoria, and they offer you a complimentary glass of wine — they don’t offer five glasses of wine …. and they control it,” he says. “People enjoy that. It’s all part of the experience.”
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He says it could be a great venue for wine and craft beer producers in B.C. to show off their goods.
“If you look at Europe, there’s a couple places that you can dine and have beer and wine, in fact, you have the full bar service,” he says. “I think it’s a great idea.”
