By Brian Kaufenberg
A wide-reaching liquor reform bill was introduced to the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee at the Minnesota Legislature on February 11 that seeks to aid the state’s craft beverage producers and hospitality industry, many of which are suffering economically from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bill, titled the Drink Local Economic Recovery Package, is the result of a rare coalition of 350 craft breweries, cideries, distilleries, and wineries—organized under the newly formed Minnesota Craft Beverage Council (MCBC)—and restaurant industry groups Hospitality Minnesota and Minnesota Independent Restaurants Coalition.