Finance Minister Charles Sousa and Premier Kathleen Wynne announce cider can now be sold in some grocery stores.

Ontarians will now be able to buy craft cider at the grocery stores that already sell beer.

On Friday, the government announced cider would be available at the 60 large chain and independent stores that are already approved to retail beer and wine.

"This is all part of the largest change made to distribution in Ontario since prohibition in 1927, which is a very long time ago, so it was time, if I may just say, to shake things up," Premier Kathleen Wynne quipped during the announcement at a Sobeys in Waterloo.

Finance Minister Charles Sousa was also on hand for the announcement, and added that the decision was prompted by the surge in demand for locally-produced cider. Last year, sales at the LCBO totalled $5.1 million — an increase of 54 per cent.

"Cider is kind of like the new wonder kid on the block," Sousa added.

The LCBO is also accepting an additional 70 bids from new stores to sell wine, beer and cider this fall. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario will handle the authorization and enforce appropriate distribution.

All told, 300 grocery stores could be licensed to sell beer, wine and cider, on top of which an additional 150 stores would sell only beer and cider.

Happening: Craft cider now sold at some Ontario grocery stores

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