Good news for brewers in Saskatchewan - a panel ruled that the Alberta government letting the Wild Rose province's small craft breweries apply for a grant after beer prices were jacked up violated Canada's Agreement on Internal Trade.
The government of Saskatchewan is happy with the verdict, which upheld an August, 2017 decision.
"We are very pleased with the decision which confirms that Alberta’s beer market distorting policies unfairly discriminate against Saskatchewan and Canadian brewers," said Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison in a statement.
Alberta brought about a $1.25-per-litre markup, with grants offsetting that increase for the province's own craft breweries.
Saskatchewan joined the three-person panel - which comprised Peter Kirby, Milos Barutciski, and Debra Steger - as an intervener.
The ruling called for Alberta to either scrap or repeal Alberta Small Brewers Development program.
Former Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall took to Twitter following the verdict.
Sask dropped license plate restrictions (which was our reluctant retaliation for AB beer tariffs) when Alberta trade minister @DeronBilous said “AB will honour the ruling of the (beer) appeal panel....”. That appeal panel has now ruled against Alberta’s policy. #freethebeer
— Brad Wall (@BradWall306) June 11, 2018