Bills that attempt to change Minnesota liquor laws run into several interconnected obstacles.
By Peter Callaghan
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Proponents of changing laws to allow brewers and distillers to grow — or just to survive during the pandemic — have tried going small and going big. Individual bills have sought to let larger brewers continue to sell growlers — 64-oz. bottles — from taprooms; to let brewers sell beer to-go in 12-ounce bottles and cans; to let distillers sell spirits to-go in standard .750 liter bottles; and to permanently allow restaurants to sell beer and wine to-go.
This session, one new coalition is trying to go big, putting all the previously proposed changes — plus changes sought by cideries, farm wineries and restaurants — into a single bill. The theory is that bringing big brewers, small brewers, distillers, cideries, farm wineries and many restaurants together will create a force that can break through opposition.