Alcohol is taxed so heavily it's twice as expensive in BC as it is over the border in Washington. In fact, importation of alcohol is just about the only thing enforced at the US/Canadian land border. As long as you're not bringing alcohol, tobacco, or firearms they put up with an amazing amount of personal-use smuggling. There are companies that will deliver to your door but at a significant price premium. Then there's beer and wine stores, winery/tasting places, or BC liquor stores. The cheapest place to get alcohol is always going to be the state-operated liquor stores like the one he worked at.