Joint bill would provide economic recovery and job growth through needed reforms for Minnesota’s breweries, wineries, cideries, distilleries, bars, restaurants, and liquor stores.
Minneapolis, MN: A new bipartisan bill, The Drink Local Economic Recovery Package, chief-authored by Senator Mark Koran (32, R) and Representative Liz Olson (07B, D) will be introduced today, February 11, 2021. This package will help thousands of Minnesota small businesses through needed reforms to Minnesota liquor law. The bill has the support of associations representing MN’s craft breweries, cideries, distilleries, and wineries; Hospitality Minnesota; and Minnesota Independent Restaurants. The bill would:
- Allow bars and restaurants to sell beer, wine, and cocktails to-go by making temporary to-go allowances permanent
- Eliminate Minnesota’s growler cap on craft breweries & allow breweries to sell a limited amount of 4/6 packs along with crowlers/growlers from the taproom
- Allow distilleries to sell alcohol to-go in full-sized bottles
- Allow self-distribution for cideries and brewpubs
- Retool and align laws on producer taxes and label registration fees
- Allow liquor stores, bars, and restaurants to fill growlers to-go
The landscape for bars, restaurants, and craft beverage producers has permanently changed. These changes will provide thousands of Minnesota’s food and beverage establishments with even more tools to survive the next several years of recovery. Owners would be able to hire back over 100,000 furloughed and laid-off workers, generate new revenue, and expand access and choice for their customers. The additional production and movement of locally made craft beverages throughout the state would bolster all three tiers of Minnesota’s liquor system as well as Minnesota’s agriculture and tourism industries.
The Minnesota legislature has been hesitant to enact small, needed reforms for many years—especially in 2020 when the changes were desperately needed. Minnesota’s small hospitality businesses cannot wait any longer. They are joining together to advocate for action to put people back to work and correct archaic restrictions to better recover and thrive in a post-pandemic environment.
Enacting these needed changes would allow the Minnesota Legislature to better provide significant economic and recovery support to thousands of Minnesota small businesses without spending a dime. The food and beverage industry accounts for 25% of Minnesota’s sales tax, and increased options would provide even more revenue to the state. Customers of these small businesses are encouraged to follow the legislation and share their opinions with MN legislators at mncraftbevcouncil.org/take-action.