117% What??? It's still worth it!

WARNING - I am not sure that this post is all that clearly written. But I guess it kind of appropriate because maybe you'll understand how clueless I am. Please note - this post is not alcohol impaired, I've only had one beer (should I admit that or should I pretend I've had half a dozen?)

Tonight is the first drink bit of alcohol I've had since June 22. I decided that I'd ease back into things and simply enjoy kicking back with my Canadian favorite, Alexander Keith's Red Amber Ale (I posted a brief history about it here back in April - http://ramseysinvancouver.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html#1768217639888615590)

Well let me tell you it's some good stuff... although it's very expensive - in fact all beer is expensive here in BC (British Columbia for those of you who wouldn't automatically know that). In the states you can get a 12 pack of Miller Lite/Bud Light for $9.99... the beer I'm drinking tonight is $21.00 for a 12 pack. I should also point out that all liquor in the province (state) of British Columbia is regulated by the government and sold at BC Liquors and a few approved rural "satellite" locations.

Back to my story - I casually mentioned that I was surprised it was more than twice as expensive and asked if there was a different brand of beer I should be buying - for all I know I'm buying the priciest beer out there.

I must have "gullible" written on my forehead... maybe it's because I was chatting with them awhile and mentioned I was from "The States". The clerk told me it's so expensive because liquor is taxed at 117%!!! On the way home I made a mental note to blog about the crazy alcohol tax... and JUST before I did I thought to myself "This seems a bit insane... residents wouldn't accept that would they?" So, I jumped to research this and I couldn't find a clear answer. I think I figured out that if I added a 4 taxes together Government (GST), Provincial (PST), Consumption and separate Alcohol Tax it would be 17% - but is that because I was looking for a logical answer to the guy pulling my leg by obnoxiously adding another 100%? So I called a BC Liquor Store, I told the person what the clerk told me... she had no answer for me and said she didn't know, but I'm pretty sure she thought I was a total idiot. I emailed their headquarters to see if I can get a legit answer.

What does all of this mean? It means: 1) I think I deserve the "gullible" stamp on my forehead because for awhile I totally believed it 2) I am on a mission to get the right answer 3) Even if the tax was 117% I still bought it, and I will again because it's a nice treat once in awhile 4) And finally... who cares if it's twice the price as US beer... it's also twice as strong!