Minnesota’s largest craft brewers will finally be able to sell growlers of beer to-go, while smaller brewers will be able to sell 4- and 6-packs after Gov. Tim Walz signed into law a liquor reform bill on Sunday.
Under the new law, the volume cap for breweries to sell growlers to-go would increase from 20,000 barrels to 150,000 barrels. Additionally, the legislation would allow breweries producing fewer than 7,500 barrels to sell up to 128 oz. in 4- and 6-packs to-go per customer per day.
Walz’ signing of the legislation comes as the state Legislature is set to adjourn today. The new law goes into effect today.
Minnesota previously barred its largest craft breweries from selling growlers due to the 20,000-barrel cap.
Six of the state’s largest craft breweries (Surly, Schell’s, Lift Bridge, Fulton, Indeed and Castle Danger) formed the Alliance of Minnesota Craft Breweries in early 2021 to advocate for the lifting of the growler cap. All are also members of Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild, which has advocated for advanced off-sale privileges for both larger and smaller craft breweries.
In other states, to-go sales from craft breweries buoyed those businesses as taprooms, bars, restaurants and other on-premise venues were shut down. Despite efforts to lobby lawmakers to make changes in 2020, no political will existed in Minnesota.
Also included in the legislation was a provision to allow Minnesota distillers to sell 750 mL bottles from their taprooms.