All posts by Andrew Schmitt

Andrew is just a guy that likes beer. You can usually find him on the twitters or spending time with his family.
Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Sunday Liquor Sales – Minnesota House Commerce Hearing Preview

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Jenifer Loon
Rep Jen Loon

Two bills, HF1239 and HF231, both aimed at easing the ban on Sunday liquor sales in Minnesota are scheduled to be heard in the House Commerce Committee. The hearing is Scheduled for Wednesday, April 8 at 2:30pm. It will be held in Room 10 at Minnesota State Office Building.

Commerce hearings are open to the public. This is your chance to let your voice be heard. Legislators want hear from people on the issue. It is important to make sure supporters come and speak on the issue.

Judging from the 8 amendments filed with House Commerce Committee, members could end up adding everything from Sunday car sales to cannabis to Rep Jen Loon’s repeal bills. While those topics might very well deserve discussion at the legislature, as amendments they would add unnecessary controversy to repeal bills. Not only could any of these red herring amendments distract from the topic at hand, but would also play into a “poison pill” or “wrecking amendment” scenario.

In legislative debate, a wrecking amendment (also called a poison pill amendment or killer amendment) is an amendment made by a legislator who disagrees with the principles of a bill and who seeks to make it useless (by moving amendments to either make the bill malformed and nonsensical, or to severely change its intent) rather than directly opposing the bill by simply voting against it.

If you haven’t looked up your rep and made a polite phone call to support repealing the ban you should do so by following this link.

If you are unable to attend the hearings broadcast and live streaming details may be found at this link.

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Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Legislative Update: Sunday Liquor Sales Hearing in House Commerce Committee

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Two bills aimed to repealing the ban on Sunday liquor sales in Minnesota will finally have a hearing in the House Commerce Committee. The hearing is Scheduled for Wednesday, April 8 at 2:30pm. It will be held in Room 10 at Minnesota State Office Building.

Commerce hearings are open to the public. This is your chance to let your voice be heard. Legislators want hear from people on the issue. It is important to make sure supporters come and speak on the issue.

Senator Jim Metzen didn’t give Sunday sales a hearing in the Senate Commerce Committee under that claim that the demand isn’t there.

“There wasn’t a big push for it,” said Sen. James Metzen, D-South St. Paul.
– WCCO March 25, 2015

The Hearing is Wednesday, April 8 at 2:30pm. It will be held in Room 10 at Minnesota State Office Building. The address is 100 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55103.

HF 231 Description

Off-sale intoxicating liquor sales permitted on Sundays.

Authors

Loon,
Loonan,
Norton,
Dill,
Anderson, S.,
Anderson, M.,
Cornish
Drazkowski
Petersburg
Whelan
Yarusso
Kahn
Freiberg
Daniels
Liebling
Smith
Lesch
Lucero
O’Neill
Loeffler
Hornstein

HF 1239 Description

Municipalities authorized to allow off-sale intoxicating liquor sales on Sundays.

Authors

Loon
Loonan
Norton
Wills
Petersburg
Peterson
Kahn

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Dream Jobs

Still looking for that dream job? Several local companies are looking for qualified help. Don’t bother hitting Craigslist.org, we have the careers you want right here!

Sociable Cider Werks Taproom Bar | Northeast Minneapolis | Mn Beer Activists

 

Sociable Cider Werks

Nordeast Minneapolis fermenting mavericks Sociable Cider Werks is hiring for a Customer Service Rep/Delivery Driver.

For this position you’ll need a strong back and the ability obtain a CDL. Other job requirements include a clean driving record, weekend availability, and some inventory management.

Full details and application here
*Hint – Nobody beats Batman. Nobody.

 

 Nord Craft Spirits

Du Nord Craft Spirits is hiring a Production Assistant

A full-time position, the Production Assistant helps the Head Distiller with the day-to-day operations of the distillery. Duties include, but are not limited to, cleaning, mashing grains, setting up spent grain for farm pickup, distillation, errands, etc. The production assistant occasionally serves as a tour guide for Saturday groups.

Full details and application here

Castle Danger Brewery

Castle Danger Brewery is currently seeking Seasonal Part-Time Bartenders.

There are several open seasonal positions that run from the end of May – October.
Applicants should have craft beer knowledge and previous experience.

Full details and application here

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Herkimer Brewpub

The Herkimer Pub & Brewery is currently accepting résumés for seasonal wait assistants and servers.

This Uptown Minneapolis nightlife mainstay is looking for people with positive energy, interest in craft beer and experience in high volume service. Résumé should include prior and current work history. Industry experience is required for all server positions and recommended for wait assistant positions.

Bring your résumé to The Herkimer, 2922 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408 or email

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Q and A with Zac Carpenter of Bad Weather Brewing

Two years, Did you think you’d make it this far?
We certainly hoped we would! I don’t think you go into something like opening a business without planning long term. That being said, opening any type of business is very difficult and takes alot of time and dedication, so we are definitely grateful to be able to continue brewing up beers for Minnesota – we plan on doing this a very long time.

What has been the best part of starting a craft brewery in Minnesota?
I think that opening a craft brewery in Minnesota is probably a pretty unique experience compared to many of the other locations in the US. We have a really energized base of people who want a ton of craft beer, and they want it now. It would be much different, and probably much more of a slog to open a brewery in one of the more mature craft beer states like Washington, who already has over 200 craft breweries. It’s quite a bit of fun to be part of a young rapidly growing industry, there is just so much excitement surrounding what we do.

Bad Weather Brewery Zac and Joe mn beer activists

What has been the biggest challenge?
I think running a business is always the most challenging part. Beer is a lot of fun, but behind it you are still running a business with payroll, employees, sales goals and bottom lines. Balancing the passion with the business end can be hard.

Bad weather brewery coming soon minnesota beer activists

Bad Weather Brewing began with as alternating proprietorship, brewing at the Lucid Brewing facility. Is there any stigma from hardcore beer nerds about not having your own brewery?
I don’t know if there is a stigma as much as there has been a lack of visibility. For all the benefits that come with sharing a space, like lower costs, knowledge sharing and existing infrastructure, we don’t really have our “own” space. We don’t have that entrance point where beer fans can come see what we are all about, try all our beers, and just belly up to the bar and enjoy the atmosphere. The new taproom will fix that particular problem!

Looking back, would you do anything differently?
I really don’t think so. Launching the way we did, sharing space with Lucid, really allowed us to get to market much faster than we would have been able to otherwise. It has also made it much easier during the ramp up to our planned expansion. We obviously needed to get quite a bit of additional funding to build our St. Paul location, and when meeting with investors we had an actual product and sales history to show them.

Where do you see Bad Weather Brewery in 2 years? 20 Years?
In a couple years we will be buying more tanks and possibly a packaging line to move into our 2500 square foot expansion space adjacent to the taproom. In 20, I hope that Joe and I are retired and laying on a beach somewhere!

What has been your favorite beer, firkin, etc.?
Ominous with coffee! We launched with a firkin of that 2 years ago during our release party. We will have a small keg of coffee Ominous at our 2 year Anniversary party tonight.

Any new beers coming?
A ton of new beers when we open up the taproom. Stay tuned!

When does the new brewery open?
Summer 2015

Join Bad Weather Brewery at The Happy Gnome, at 5pm, on Wednesday, March 25th. Zac, Joe, and Andy will be celebrating and rubbing elbows.

Listen to an in-depth interview with the guys from Bad Weather Brewery on the Minnesota BeerCast.
Minnesota Beer Cast

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Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Run for the Border – SundaySalesMN.org

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Supporters of ending the ban on Sunday alcohol sales will meet at the Minnesota State Capitol this Sunday (3/15) to send a message to legislators that the time has come to stop sending our money over the borders to Wisconsin, the Dakotas, and Iowa; the time has come to end Minnesota’s ban on Sunday alcohol sales.

Meeting at the temporary parking lot on the Capitol Mall, supporters will hear from liquor store owners and craft brewers that are being hurt by this ban. After brief remarks, supporters, unified with custom-made car flags and lights on, will form a caravan to embark on the 19-mile journey to liquor stores in Hudson, Wis., bringing their money with them.

Who: Supporters of ending the ban on Sunday alcohol sales & MN Beer Activists
What: Beer Run to Hudson, WI in Support of Sunday Liquors Sales in Minnesota
Where: The temporary parking lot on the Minnesota State Capitol Mall
When: 1pm This Sunday (3/15)

Link on Facebook

Sunday liquor sales run to Wisconsin

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Barrel Aged Week at Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery

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barrel aged dice rollToday (Monday) kicks off Barrel Aged Week at Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery. The annual week long celebration is a treat for anyone that loves beer aged in barrels.

Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery has been aging beer in wooden barrels since a phone call brought a barrel of Jack Daniels to the brewery in 2000. An Imperial Stout was brewed, then aged in that barrel of Old #7 and the next year it took home a Gold Medal from GABF in the Experimental Category.

As time went on more barrels were acquired, more awards were won, and Town Hall’s barrel-aged beer releases morphed into a whole week of beers in 2009. Wildly successful in both awards and popularity, every year Minnesota beer fans have lined up early the week before barrel aged week to reserve growlers of the limited beer. That is still the case. However, this year there will be some opportunities to get your hands on some of the beer if you didn’t have your Sunday morning free to stand out in the cold. At every release there will be chances (limited of course) to roll a few dice and win a chance to purchase a growler of barrel aged beer release of the day.

Buffalo Trace
Good things come to those that wait.

Also new this year are 750ml growlers, and flights of 3 beers, at 5oz each. It can be tough to tackle these beers alone. Smaller servings in both on-sale and off-sale format make it easier to approach these big beers.

Listen to Head Brewer Mike Hoops talk about the history of Barrel Aged Week at Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery, as well as this year’s beers and pairings on the latest MN BeerCast.


Subscribe: iTunes Stitcher RSS

town hall barrel aged week

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612BREW Celebrates 2nd Anniversary with Six-pack Cans and Taproom Party

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Perfectly timed with its two-year anniversary, 612BREW has announced its three core beers,
SIX, Unrated Rye and Gateway Park, will now be available at local retail stores in six-packs of 12 oz. cans.

In 2014, 612BREW expanded its northeast Minneapolis brewing facility. The brewery added tanks to increase production, and a private “cellar” area for parties and events. In the coming year the brewery expects to nearly double its market share with the addition of the new canning line and retail partners. 612BREW has also hired Great American Beer Fest silver medal-winning brewer, Austin Myhran, and expects to bring on additional staff to help on the packaging line in anticipation of the increased production.

“We are canning all of our beers right here at the brewery,” explains co-founder and brewer, Robert Kasak. “We explored a number of options for packaging, but decided to purchase our own canning line and do everything in house.”

612Brew purchased Wild Goose canning line of Colorado for its small footprint and solid reputation. Kasak and his team chose cans over bottles for their lightweight packaging, environmental benefits, and their ability to protect beer from light and oxygen.


Renowned local artist, Adam Turman, was hired to create three unique can designs. Adam also painted the mural that adorns the taproom. Standing out in primary colors of bright red, yellow and blue, the cans are sure to draw attention on store shelves.

“Working with Adam to design the can art has been a blast,” says co-founder Adit Kalra. “Each can is its own piece of art.”

Each can tells the story of the beer within. SIX features a Metro Transit bus, as the beer is named for the number 6 bus line that travels through Minneapolis. Unrated features a movie theater theme as a nod to the recent dispute with the Motion Picture Association of America. Pre-prohibition lager Gateway Park goes back in time with imagery of downtown Minneapolis in the late 1800’s.

Robert Kasak and Adam Turman
Robert Kasak, Adam Turman

612BREW has partnered with Bernick’s distribution to make their beer available in liquor stores across the Twin Cities metro area beginning February 16.

The brewery will host its 2nd Anniversary party at the taproom on February 13 to celebrate the launch. Here are some of the highlights of the party:

  • Free pints of beer from 4-5pm
  • Live music from Kingsview and Justin Halverson
  • Special edition 612Brew Can release/anniversary shirts designed by Adam Turman and printed live, on-demand by CHUX Printing
  • Special firkin tappings

Giveaways and more

Hear more about the cans, the art, and more on the latest episode of the Minnesota BeerCast.

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Legislative Events, Newsfeed

2015 Saint Paul City Council Race and Sunday Liquor Sales

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The 2015 Minnesota legislative session has thus far been a busy one with lawmakers introducing several bills aimed at easing the restrictions on Sunday off-sale liquor sales. Bills include everything from a Sunday sales pilot program, to growlers for qualifying brewers, a local option allowing municipalities to lift the ban, and full repeal.

SundaySalesMN

If legislation supporting a local option to allow individual municipalities to lift the ban on Sunday sales were to pass this session, the future of Sunday liquor, beer and wine sales in the city of Saint Paul will be in the hands of its city council members.

With that in mind we reached out to 21 candidates who have announced their intent to run for city council seats across all seven of Saint Paul’s Council Wards. We asked all of the candidates to respond to the following questions:

1. Minnesota Farm Wineries are allowed to sell bottles of wine on Sundays. Should qualifying local brewers be allowed to sell 64 oz / 750 ml growlers of beer on Sundays?
2. Several bills have been introduced to the 2015 state legislature that may ease or repeal the statewide ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales. If the Sunday liquor ban is repealed, would you vote to allow Saint Paul liquor stores to individually choose whether or not to operate on Sundays?

The candidates’ responses are below or follow the links for a specific ward.

Ward 1
Ward 2
Ward 3
Ward 4
Ward 5
Ward 6
Ward 7

*Editors note: If there are any candidates that would like to be included in this guide or if you find any inaccuracies, please send an email here, we will continue to update this poll as more information is received.

Ward 1

Trahern Crews – Green Party
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“Yes. Brewers should be able to sell 64 oz/750 ml growlers on Sunday.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“Yes! Saint Paul could use the tax dollars that escape to Wisconsin every Sunday.”

Dai Thao – DFL Incumbent
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“Yes.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“Yes, if there is an option to opt out by retailers without penalty.”

Samakab Hussein – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
*Candidate has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
*Candidate has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Mohamed Said – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
*Candidate has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
*Candidate has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Ward 2

Marit Brock – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“Yes, I support Sunday growler sales, and I am proud to see the growth of local breweries in Ward 2 and throughout Saint Paul. I want to make sure that Ward 2 is a great environment for small, family-owned businesses that really make up our American dream, and this includes local brewers in our ward like Bad Weather, Great Waters, Tin Whiskers, Vine Park, and Wabasha Brewing. We should work hard to support our local family-owned businesses and not restrict their business with rules that may no longer fit our times.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“Yes, I support the right of Saint Paul liquor stores to individually choose whether or not to operate on Sundays. I believe that the ban on Sunday sales is outdated and no longer reflects the needs of our communities. Many liquor stores are small businesses, and we should support their efforts to succeed and not restrict their business with rules like a ban on Sunday sales.”

Louis Garcia – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“I support brewers, wineries, and businesses that sell their products. The city shouldn’t impose any law that prevents these establishments to serve consumers seven days a week. I’m opposed to this restriction at the state level and will be an advocate to repeal the statewide ban on Sunday off-sale liquor, beer, and wine sales.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“The state should not require or dictate what days of the week a businesses should be open. Each business should be able to decide if they want to keep their establishment open on Sunday. If the ban is repealed I will be an advocate for Saint Paul’s business interest and should the state contradict our interests, I will work at the city level to protect our businesses.”

Cara Martner – Independence Party
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“I certainly believe if Wineries are allowed to sell alcohol on Sundays that local qualifying brewers should be allowed to do the same.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“Although I am personally disappointed by the amount of effort and focus that goes into fighting the Sunday liquor ban year after year when there are more important issues to focus on for the future of Saint Paul, I agree that each liquor store should be given the right to individually choose whether or not to operate on Sundays.”

Rebecca Noecker – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“Yes, absolutely. Maintaining separate standards for wineries and breweries makes no sense and is discriminatory. The exciting interest in local brewing promises to bring much-needed local business to our city, expanding our tax base and making Saint Paul more attractive to young professionals and recent college graduates looking for a place to call home. We should be doing all we can to encourage and support this burgeoning field; imposing a double-standard does exactly the opposite.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“Yes. While I am in favor of repealing the ban on Sunday liquor, beer and wine sales, I believe business owners have the right to decide their operating hours based on what they feel will make most sense for their business.”

Darren Tobolt – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“I’m excited by the expanding brewing economy in Saint Paul. I understand that this is an issue for consideration by the state legislature and would require a state law change. If that law were to pass, I would support modifying necessary city ordinances to support the small brewing community. Something I believe we can do under current law is change our ordinance to allow growler sales until 10pm on weeknights, I would like to explore that option to encourage development in Saint Paul.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“If the State of Minnesota were to allow Sunday sales, I would certainly be open to easing city ordinances to support all of our small businesses.”

Ward 3

Chris Tolbert – DFL Incumbent
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“Yes. Minnesota’s current blue laws are out-of-date and bad for our local business owners. The City should take steps to ease these restrictions. In Minnesota we have a booming craft beer industry and we should support these entrepreneurs and give Minnesota consumers the option to buy a growler of their favorite brew on a Sunday.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“Yes, should the Sunday liquor ban be repealed, I would vote to allow Saint Paul liquor stores to individually choose whether or not to operate on Sundays. That decision should be in the hands of the store owners. Any attempt to continue to ban the sale of off-sale liquor in Saint Paul after a repeal of the statewide sunday liquor ban would negatively impact Saint Paul businesses and Saint Paul residents.”

Ward 4

Russ Stark – DFL Incumbent
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“Yes.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“Yes.”

Curtis Stock – Independent
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“Yes of course. Politicians cowering to their big contributors crushed this item before. It makes no sense to make a great craft beer community that brings people here then tell patrons and visitors that they can’t take some home to enjoy because it’s Sunday.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“Again, yes of course. A business should be allowed to decide when they are open for business. On-sale is legal on Sunday and off-sale should be as well.”

Ward 5

David Glass – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“As a small business owner in the hospitality industry for almost 20 years I know and understand the struggles of revenue streams. I believe in promoting local businesses, all businesses should be able to operate on Sundays if they choose. I believe local breweries should have the same options as everyone else we need a fair and equal business environment.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“As a small business owner in the hospitality industry for almost 20 years I know and understand the struggles of revenue streams. I believe in promoting local businesses, all businesses should be able to operate on Sundays if they choose. If elected to the City Council, I would vote to give liquor businesses the same opportunities to operate on Sundays as everyone else.”

Amy Brendmoen – DFL Incumbent
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
Yes.

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
Yes.

Ward 6

James Lockwood – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“In more ways than one, Minnesota’s craft brewers and distillers are revitalizing whole neighborhoods and communities and helping to bring new vitality to our cities and state. It only makes sense to bring parity between these artisan industries that are giving the state a national reputation for creativity, quality and livability.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“Saint Paul’s residents deserve to be able to shop where they live, whether it’s a Friday, Monday, or Sunday. Additionally, as a city, we can’t afford to see our tax revenues go to neighboring communities because of differing blue laws. Personally, I would like to buy wine on Sunday to go with the dinner I bought on Sunday, so, yes, I would support Sunday liquor sales in Saint Paul.”

Dan Bostrom – DFL Incumbent
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
*Candidate has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
*Candidate has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Ward 7

Elliott Nickell – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“Saint Paul has many great small craft breweries, and they should be supported. I support craft beer Sunday growler sales.“

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“I support the repeal of the ban. Currently, Minnesota loses out on tax revenue to Wisconsin, because people drive there to buy beer, liquor, or wine on Sundays. As I am writing this, on Super Bowl Sunday, many people are driving to Wisconsin to buy beer. I would support allowing liquor stores to decide whether or not to operate on Sundays.”

Jane Prince – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“Yes.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“My answer to both questions is an enthusiastic yes. One of my campaign priorities is to increase our city’s support of locally owned independent businesses, who offer tremendous vitality to the local economy. I am very supportive of removing barriers to the success of local businesses.”

Paul Sawyer – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“I would like to see this expanded to local brewers. Saint Paul has a thriving brewing industry which should be supported as much as possible.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“Should the legislature allow for Sunday sales, I am in favor of allowing liquor stores in Saint Paul to engage in Sunday sales. This option is good for consumers and for businesses.”

John Slade – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“Yes, if farm wineries can sell their product on Sundays, local brewers should be able to sell growlers. This is not only justice, but it’s important for promoting local businesses and local production.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“If bars are allowed to sell liquor on Sundays, then off-sale should follow suit. There are only two days that most people have off of work, and it makes no sense to keep them from buying wine, beer, and liquor to take home on one of those two days.”

Steve Frazer – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
*Candidate has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
*Candidate has not responded to multiple requests for comment.