‘When something is gone, it’s gone’: Hamilton bars facing liquor and wine shortages amid supply chain crisis
The Capitol Bar owner Derek Weening says he isn't in the business of saying no.
When a patron sits down at his King Street East bar and requests a cocktail, he's used to replying with the common phrase: No problem, we can do that."
But since the onset of the pandemic and the subsequent supply chain crisis, a shortage of liquor has caused that all to change, said Weening.
Just out of the liqueurs that we can't get anymore, I can think of five or six classic cocktails that we're not able to do right now," he said. And it's not just us, nobody can get these products."
The list of liquor shortages giving barkeeps and mixologists a headache isn't short, said Weening.
Basic items that are tough to find include Jim Beam Black, El Jimador, Jameson's, Campari, Beefeater Gin. On the fancier side, Frangelico, Ancho Reyes, Creme de Violette, Green and Yellow Chartreuse, Antica Formula, Chambord and Clase Azul are of short to no supply.
And when it comes to whisky, Weening said Bruichladdich, Blantons, Sazerac, West Cork, Powers Irish, Islay Scotch, bourbon and Irish whiskies are hard to come by.
When something is gone, it's gone," said Weening.
On Oct. 17, the LCBO acknowledged in a letter to importers that both the global supply chain crisis as well as changes in consumer demand were affecting its service levels and stock. In Ontario, bars and restaurants get a bulk of their booze supply from the crown corporation.
Chief supply chain officer Nick Nanos said transportation issues and congestion in ports were resulting in an average three-week delay in container ships, with some locations experiencing up to a six-week delay - with those setbacks accounting for approximately a third of their stock shortages.
The effects of the pandemic and their suppliers' ability to keep up" with changing consumer demand accounts for approximately half of their stock shortages, he noted.
Some of these global supply chain issues are expected to continue into the next year," wrote Nanos. We remain committed to working closely with our international supply chain partners and suppliers to stay informed and plan accordingly."
The issues surrounding the liquor shortage aren't new, said Kyle Ferreira, co-owner of Bar Sazerac on James Street North.
This past summer, Ferreira said he had trouble tracking down bottles of Jim Beam Black and Hornitos Tequila while Knob Creek Bourbon was also in short supply.
Back at the Capitol, Weening said he had to change some of his rail liquor at least six times this past summer - meaning he's often had to relearn bottle shapes and size, creating a new challenge at the bar.
It's super frustrating," said Weening.
With so little on shelves, both Weening and Ferreira said they have taken to sitting on a higher level of inventory than they're used to and they're dedicating more time to ensuring they have a well-stocked bar.
You're making different business decisions based on what you can get," said Ferreira. Sometimes I have to drive an hour away to get the last few bottles of something."
But even being able to do just that is a privilege, said Weening.
I'm lucky I can afford it," he said. It's one thing for me to have the resources and a vehicle. If I didn't have any of that stuff ... I'd literally just be waiting and hoping they were going to put something on the shelves."
At Equal Parts Hospitality, which operates The French, Aberdeen Tavern and the Diplomat, both their liquor and wine lists have shrunk in size compared to pre-pandemic levels, said Jerrett Young, a co-owner of the restaurant group.
There is obviously a noticeable difference in the ease of getting products," said Young. We have to put way more thought into the volume that our suppliers have."
And not having their basic supply needs met could also mean damage to an establishment's reputation, said Ferreira.
There is a great personal difficulty in telling someone no," said Ferreira. That kind of prestige (as a cocktail bar) is earned, and if you can't hold on to it, it's difficult to get it back."
Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com
What might be missing from the shelves this holiday season?
The LCBO said retail and wholesale customers may see some empty or not so full shelves when it comes to the following products:
- Champagnes and sparkling wines
- New world wines from New Zealand, Australia and South America
- Import spirits, particularly scotch and tequila
- International beers and ciders