NSLC numbers show cider, local beer gaining popularity

Sales of locally produced wine, cider and craft beer went up over the summer at Nova Scotia Liquor Corp. outlets.

The Crown corporation says total sales between June 30 and Sept. 28 reached $169 million, a slight increase when compared with the same period last year.

Profits rose by $2.1 million to $69 million.

The company says the sale of cider and craft beer had especially big gains, up 62.8 per cent to $400,000 and 28.9 per cent to $1.5 million, respectively.

Wine sales went up 9.4 per cent to $3.5 million.