Stories

Thu, 28 May 2026

Thu, 28 May 2026 When trade soured, this American liquor maker moved to Canada

Phillips Distilling lost 70% of its Canadian business after provinces banned the sale of US liquor. It has since found a way to sell its products in Canada again.

* A Canadian woman named Stephanie Intrevado was shocked to learn that her favorite drink, Sour Puss, was American-made and subject to a provincial liquor boycott in Canada.
* The boycott, which began in 2025, saw most Canadian provinces stop selling US-made liquor due to President Trump's tariffs against Canada.
* Phillips Distilling, the family-owned maker of Sour Puss, lost 70% of their Canadian business as a result of the boycott and was forced to move some production north of the border to Canada.
* The company partnered with a Montreal-based alcohol manufacturer to start producing in Canada and eventually got their products back on shelves across the country.
* The return of Sour Puss was celebrated by fans like Intrevado, who posted an Instagram photo saying "Guess who's back?"
* Experts say that Phillips Distilling's decision to shift production north was easier due to its popularity in Canada and the fact that a big chunk of their business is Canadian.
* The boycott has had mixed results, with some provinces still refusing to sell US-made liquor, but it may have brought an accidental positive - bringing more production to Canada.