More cold beer needed in liquor stores, NDP says

There should be more cold beer made available in Saskatchewan's liquor stores, the province's New Democrats say.

The OppositionNDP was responding to a recentnewspaper op-edby the Canadian Taxpayers Federation lamenting the relative shortage of cold suds in governmentliquor store coolers.

The taxpayers group said a "warm beer tyranny" was at work, forcing customers to buySaskatchewan-made brands like Great Western at room temperature.

Premium-priced beers such as Coors Banquet and Moosehead are the ones that get put into the fridge.

The NDP said there should be more choices available in the cold beer section.

Liquor retailing overhaul under discussion

The backgroundtoall this isthat the Saskatchewan Party government has proposed revamping liquor retailing, asking the public to choose from a variety of options.

Everything from the status quo to an Alberta-style privatization of all 75 government-owned stores is on the table.

The NDP leader Cam Brotenhas accused Premier Brad Wallof doing a poor job running the stores and wants the government to continue to own them.

In addition to more cold beer, there should also bebetter hours, greater product selection andmore flexible pricing, the NDP says.

Try our poll about proposed liquor retailing changes...