Washington bars brace for ban on Canadian alcohol imports
Sep 10, 2026, 6:05 AM
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
Tariff tension between the U.S. and Canada reached a new level this week with President Donald Trump signing an executive order banning some imports of Canadian alcohol.
“We’re pretty much always stocked on it,” said Matt Baker, owner of The Angry Beaver.
The Angry Beaver in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood is no longer run by its original Canadian owner, but Baker said it remains a destination for Canadian customers visiting Seattle, and they still serve Canadian beers like Molson’s and Labatt.
“That goes gangbusters here, especially when hockey comes around,” Baker said.
He says Canadian beers are also popular with his American customers.
“I love a Canadian beer; you can’t go wrong,” said Andy Davis, a customer at The Angry Beaver. “I’m a big fan of our friends up north.”
As trade talks between the U.S. and Canada deteriorate, some Canadian provinces have banned the sale of American alcohol products in response to President Trump’s previous tariffs targeting Canadian goods.
President Trump’s newly announced ban targets some Canadian alcohol imports, as well as dairy and motorcycles.
The ban is scheduled to take place on Sept. 29, and local bars that serve Canadian alcohol are preparing for the potential fallout.
“When that time comes, maybe if I know something is going to happen like that, I might buy more and stock it,” Baker said.
