Sour Puss Liqueur Production Moves from U.S. to Quebec: A Small but Important Win for Canada in Trade Dispute

The American company Phillips Distilling Company, producer of the popular Sour Puss liqueur, has officially announced that it is relocating production of this product from Minnesota to Quebec.

This decision, carried out under a five-year contract, has been described by international trade experts as a small but symbolic victory for Canada—especially amid heightened trade tensions between Canada and the United States in recent months.

Why was Sour Puss production moved out of the U.S.?

In recent months, several Canadian provinces halted imports of certain American alcoholic products in response to U.S. trade measures.
 This directly affected Sour Puss sales because:

• 98% of the product’s sales occur in Canada
• Cancellation of provincial orders put almost all of the brand’s revenue at risk

Andy England, CEO of the company, said:
"In many cases, we consider Sour Puss a Canadian brand. Now that circumstances have changed, it makes sense to move its production to Canada."

Last year alone, the company had approximately $23 million in Sour Puss sales in Canada, a very large figure compared to the U.S. market.

Production Begins in Montreal

Since last Wednesday, production of the drink has started at Distillery Station 22 in East Montreal, a facility that allows the product to be made according to Canadian standards.

According to England, the move not only reduces shipping costs but also allows the company to respond more quickly to Canadian consumer preferences—especially in the growing ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage market.

A Symbolic Win for Canadian Manufacturing

Julian Karagianis, professor of international trade at McGill University, says this decision represents a symbolic victory for Canadian manufacturing—especially at a time when many automakers and other industries are moving production to the U.S. due to tariffs.

In recent months, concerns about declining domestic production—including the closure of a Crown Royal plant in Ontario—have increased.
The move of Sour Puss to Montreal is seen as a bright spot amid these challenges.

Impact on New Projects

England confirmed that the company plans to launch a new ready-to-drink (RTD) version of Sour Puss early next year—a product that could not be produced at the Minnesota facility because it lacked a canning line.

The company is now waiting for provincial liquor boards to resume their orders.
 LCBO has said it is in discussions with the supplier, but a response from SAQ has not yet been released.

Source: globalnews.ca