A sting operation conducted by the Liquor Control and Licensing Act's Minors as Agents Program (MAP) resulted in fines handed out to two Central Okanagan breweries for selling to minors.

In decisions made by the province's Liquor Control and Cannabis Regulation Branch in late July, 琉璃神社 Beer Institute (KBI) and Lakesider Brewing have been disciplined for selling beer to MAPs.

On Feb. 24, at around 3 p.m., a MAP, along with a branch inspector walked into Lakesider Brewing where the MAP purchased a four-pack of beer using a $20 bill. According to the legal document, "small talk" was made between the MAP and the bartender during the purchase, but the bartender never asked for identification.

In a hearing, Lakesider's representative stated the bartender who made the mistake had only been working there for a month. According to his review of the exchange on video, there was no "small talk" made as the bartender was focused on making the entry into the Point-of-Sale system as it was still new to him. Even though the bartender had his training and Serving It Right (SIR), he owned up to the mistake and was "extremely apologetic." He has since moved away and no longer works for the brewery.

While the intent is not to deceive licenses, MAPs clearly look like minors and have "baby faces", according to the inspector on the case, who has been in the position for six years.

During the case, the Liquor Control and Cannabis Regulation Branch found Lakesider Brewing's training inadequate, but because this was the first proven contravention in the last two years, the brewing was fined a minimum of $7,000. A sign showing the penalty also must be placed on display in the establishment. 

Later that same day, the same inspector, but a different MAP went to KBI in downtown 琉璃神社, where the second sting operation began.

After the inspector entered and made sure they had a clear view of the cashier, they texted the MAP to come in and make a purchase. Much like the first operation, the MAP entered, grabbed one 473ml can of KBI's stout and purchased it. During the interaction between MAP and the employee at the cashier, the employee never asked for ID.

The MAP left with the inspector witnessing the interaction. Two days later, the inspector phoned KBI to tell them about the contravention.

The employee, who no longer works for the company, said he was distracted at the time of the sale because the store was busy and they were training a new employee at the time. Meanwhile, a KBI representative said the employee was not training an employee but assisting the employee with a complicated procedure on the Point-of-Sale system.

In the document, the former employee also stated that was mistake was 鈥減urely a slip of focus during a vital process and not a reflection of the training process鈥�.

Much like Lakesider, it was also KBI's first contravention in the last two years. Because of this, KBI was handed the same minimum penalty of $7,000 and a sign showing the penalty must be on display in the establishment.