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Wine and High Alcohol Beer Recorking

Customers at liquor-permitted establishments can request to have partially consumed bottles of wine and larger bottles of high alcohol beer recorked to take home.  This helps encourage responsible consumption because customers won’t feel compelled to finish the bottle before leaving the liquor-permitted establishment.


Frequently Asked Questions

Is recorking mandatory?

Yes, if a customer asks that their bottle of wine or high-alcohol beer be recorked, the permitted establishment must accommodate that request.  The only exception is at banquets where wine is provided at no direct charge to the consumer.  In that case, the establishment may choose whether to provide recorking services, and whether to charge for that service.

What kinds of beer does this apply to?

Any beer originally packaged in a bottle at least 500 ml in size, with a minimum alcohol content of 8.0 per cent.

Is wine and high alcohol beer recorking available at all Saskatchewan bars and restaurants?

All liquor-permitted establishments that sell wine by the bottle and high alcohol beer in larger bottles (restaurants, brew pubs, lounges, etc.) are required to offer the recorking service.

Is there a similar service for spirits, coolers, or other types of beer?

No.  Recorking only applies to wine and high alcohol beer in larger bottles.

Is there a charge for the service?

Generally speaking, establishments cannot charge for providing this service; however, at banquets where wine is provided at no direct charge to the consumer, the establishment may choose whether to provide recorking services.  If they choose to do so, they may also choose whether to charge an additional service fee for the service.  In these cases, the customer is the event organizer, not the individual who may have been consuming the wine.

Can customers bring wine to a restaurant and have it recorked?

Yes, restaurants must also recork on request bottles of wine brought by customers under the Bring Your Own Wine program.

How does recorking promote responsible drinking?

Recorking is a socially responsible initiative that gives the customers the option of buying wine or high alcohol beer by the bottle without feeling compelled to finish the whole bottle at one sitting.

Is it legal to transport recorked wine or high alcohol beer in a vehicle?

Existing laws apply to transporting the recorked bottle. Recorked wine and high alcohol beer must not be easily accessible by passengers or the driver when being transported in a vehicle.