Category Archives: Legislative Events

Legislative events and news relevant to Minnesota liquor, wine, and beer consumers

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

StopMnDrinkTax.org

The House and Senate version of the Tax Omnibus bill are in conference committee to hash out differences between the bills. The House version has a steep increase alcohol taxes. You can links and language below.

We’ve created StopMnDrinkTax.org to give you an easy resource for contacting your legislators.  Please, use it and share it with your friends.

Rep. Paul Thissen– Click here to email
Call: 651-296-5375

Sen Tom Bakk– Click here to email
(651) 296-8881

 

Link to the Senate version.

Link to the House Version.

House language pertaining to excise tax.

59.32    Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 297G.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
59.33    Subdivision 1. General rate; distilled spirits and wine. The following excise tax is
59.34imposed on all distilled spirits and wine manufactured, imported, sold, or possessed in
59.35this state:

 

60.1 Standard Metric
60.2
60.3
60.4		 (a) Distilled spirits, liqueurs, cordials,
and specialties regardless of alcohol
content (excluding ethyl alcohol)		 $ 5.03
11.02per gallon		 $ 1.33
2.91per liter
60.5
60.6
60.7
60.8		 (b) Wine containing 14 percent or less
alcohol by volume (except cider as
defined in section<statute_ref>297G.01, subdivision
3a )		 $ .30
2.08 per gallon		 $ .08
.55per liter
60.9
60.10
60.11		 (c) Wine containing more than 14
percent but not more than 21 percent
alcohol by volume		 $ .95
2.73 per gallon		 $ .25
.72per liter
60.12
60.13
60.14		 (d) Wine containing more than 21
percent but not more than 24 percent
alcohol by volume		 $ 1.82
3.64 per gallon		 $ .48
.97per liter
60.15
60.16		 (e) Wine containing more than 24
percent alcohol by volume		 $ 3.52
5.34 per gallon		 $ .93
1.42per liter
60.17
60.18		 (f) Natural and artificial sparkling wines
containing alcohol		 $ 1.82
3.60 per gallon		 $ .48
.95per liter
60.19
60.20		 (g) Cider as defined in section<statute_ref>297G.01,
subdivision 3a		 $ .15
1.93 per gallon		 $ .04
.51per liter
60.21
60.22		 (h) Low-alcohol dairy cocktails $ .08
1.36 per gallon		 $ .02
.36per liter

 

60.23In computing the tax on a package of distilled spirits or wine, a proportional tax at a
60.24like rate on all fractional parts of a gallon or liter must be paid, except that the tax on a
60.25fractional part of a gallon less than 1/16 of a gallon is the same as for 1/16 of a gallon.
60.26EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2013.

 

60.27    Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 297G.03, is amended by adding a
60.28subdivision to read:
60.29    Subd. 5. Small winery credit. (a) A qualified winery is entitled to a tax credit of
60.30$2.08 per gallon on 50,000 gallons sold in any fiscal year beginning July 1. Qualified
60.31wineries may take the credit on the 18th day of each month, but the total credit allowed
60.32may not exceed in any fiscal year the lesser of:
60.33(1) the liability for tax; or
60.34(2) $104,000.
60.35(b) For purposes of this subdivision, a “qualified winery” means a winery, whether
60.36or not located in this state, producing less than 100,000 gallons of wine in the calendar
60.37year immediately preceding the calendar year for which the credit under this subdivision
60.38is claimed. In determining the number of gallons, all brands or labels of a winery must
60.39be combined. All facilities for the production of wine owned or controlled by the same
60.40person, corporation, or other entity must be treated as a single winery.
61.1EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2013.

 

61.2    Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 297G.04, is amended to read:
61.3297G.04 FERMENTED MALT BEVERAGES; RATE OF TAX.
61.4    Subdivision 1. Tax imposed. The following excise tax is imposed on all fermented
61.5malt beverages that are imported, directly or indirectly sold, or possessed in this state:
61.6(1) on fermented malt beverages containing not more than 3.2 percent alcohol by
61.7weight, $2.40 $25.55 per 31-gallon barrel; and
61.8(2) on fermented malt beverages containing more than 3.2 percent alcohol by
61.9weight, $4.60 $27.75 per 31-gallon barrel.
61.10For fractions of a 31-gallon barrel, the tax rate is calculated proportionally.
61.11    Subd. 2. Tax credit. A qualified brewer producing fermented malt beverages is
61.12entitled to a tax credit of $4.60 $27.75 per barrel on 25,000 50,000 barrels sold in any
61.13fiscal year beginning July 1, regardless of the alcohol content of the product. Qualified
61.14brewers may take the credit on the 18th day of each month, but the total credit allowed
61.15may not exceed in any fiscal year the lesser of:
61.16(1) the liability for tax; or
61.17(2) $115,000 $1,387,500.
61.18For purposes of this subdivision, a “qualified brewer” means a brewer, whether or
61.19not located in this state, manufacturing less than 100,000 200,000 barrels of fermented
61.20malt beverages in the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year for which
61.21the credit under this subdivision is claimed. In determining the number of barrels, all
61.22brands or labels of a brewer must be combined. All facilities for the manufacture of
61.23fermented malt beverages owned or controlled by the same person, corporation, or other
61.24entity must be treated as a single brewer.
61.25EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2013.

 

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Sunday Alcohol Sales Amendment Fails

Sadly, the Sunday sales amendment sponsored by Tina Liebling was shot down by both sides of the aisle.
Watch video testimony here.
Shortly after the vote House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt tweeted the roll call including his negative vote.


Daudt’s vote and the “no” votes other Republicans seem to contradict the MN GOP Platform.

We support a fair, honest and competitive business environment…

Failing to allow Sunday liquor sales put local liquor store owners at a competitive disadvantage with bars. Furthermore, it puts MN at a competitive disadvantage with surrounding states every week.

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Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Sunday Liquor Sales Amendment to be Introduced

Sunday liquor sales amendment will be introduced in the House Wednesday by Tina Liebling, State Representative (26A, DFL).

Click here to call or email your Rep and tell them to support it!

The proposed language would read as follows:
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 340A.504, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Intoxicating liquor; off-sale. No sale of intoxicating liquor may be made 
by an off-sale licensee:
(1) on Sundays;
(2) before 8:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m. on Monday through Saturday Sunday; or
(3) on Thanksgiving Day;
(4) (2) on Christmas Day, December 25; or.
(5) after 8:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, December 24.
EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.“
Renumber the sections in sequence and correct the internal references
Amend the title accordingly

 

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

House Passes Omnibus Tax Bill

The House of Representatives passed their version of the Tax Omnibus Bill HF 677. Included in the bill is a substantial excise tax increase that has been largely opposed by Minnesota breweries, wineries, distilleries, wholesalers, distributors, restaurants, pubs, bars, and consumers.

Below is a record how Representatives in the House voted and the contested language.
You can find an official voting record here. And the contested bill here.

Those who voted for the increase:

Allen Anzelc Atkins Benson, J. Bernardy
Bly Brynaert Carlson Clark Davnie
Dehn, R. Dill Dorholt Erhardt Erickson, R.
Falk Faust Fischer Freiberg Fritz
Hansen Hausman Hilstrom Hornstein Hortman
Huntley Isaacson Johnson, C. Johnson, S. Kahn
Laine Lenczewski Lesch Liebling Lien
Lillie Loeffler Mahoney Mariani Marquart
Masin McNamar Melin Metsa Moran
Morgan Mullery Murphy, E. Murphy, M. Nelson
Newton Norton Paymar Pelowski Persell
Poppe Savick Sawatzky Schoen Simon
Simonson Slocum Sundin Thissen Wagenius
Ward, J.A. Ward, J.E. Winkler Yarusso

Those who voted in the against the increase:

Abeler Albright Anderson, M. Anderson, P. Anderson, S.
Barrett Beard Benson, M. Cornish Daudt
Davids Dettmer Drazkowski Erickson, S. Fabian
FitzSimmons Franson Garofalo Green Gruenhagen
Gunther Hackbarth Halverson Hamilton Hertaus
Holberg Hoppe Howe Johnson, B. Kelly
Kieffer Kiel Kresha Leidiger Lohmer
Loon Mack McDonald McNamara Myhra
Newberger Nornes O’Driscoll O’Neill Peppin
Petersburg Pugh Quam Radinovich Rosenthal
Runbeck Sanders Schomacker Scott Selcer
Swedzinski Theis Torkelson Uglem Urdahl
Wills Woodard Zellers Zerwas

 

59.32    Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 297G.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
59.33    Subdivision 1. General rate; distilled spirits and wine. The following excise tax is
59.34imposed on all distilled spirits and wine manufactured, imported, sold, or possessed in
59.35this state:

60.1 Standard Metric
60.2
60.3
60.4		 (a) Distilled spirits, liqueurs, cordials,
and specialties regardless of alcohol
content (excluding ethyl alcohol)		 $ 5.03
11.02per gallon		 $ 1.33
2.91per liter
60.5
60.6
60.7
60.8		 (b) Wine containing 14 percent or less
alcohol by volume (except cider as
defined in section<statute_ref>297G.01, subdivision
3a )		 $ .30
2.08 per gallon		 $ .08
.55per liter
60.9
60.10
60.11		 (c) Wine containing more than 14
percent but not more than 21 percent
alcohol by volume		 $ .95
2.73 per gallon		 $ .25
.72per liter
60.12
60.13
60.14		 (d) Wine containing more than 21
percent but not more than 24 percent
alcohol by volume		 $ 1.82
3.64 per gallon		 $ .48
.97per liter
60.15
60.16		 (e) Wine containing more than 24
percent alcohol by volume		 $ 3.52
5.34 per gallon		 $ .93
1.42per liter
60.17
60.18		 (f) Natural and artificial sparkling wines
containing alcohol		 $ 1.82
3.60 per gallon		 $ .48
.95per liter
60.19
60.20		 (g) Cider as defined in section<statute_ref>297G.01,
subdivision 3a		 $ .15
1.93 per gallon		 $ .04
.51per liter
60.21
60.22		 (h) Low-alcohol dairy cocktails $ .08
1.36 per gallon		 $ .02
.36per liter

60.23In computing the tax on a package of distilled spirits or wine, a proportional tax at a
60.24like rate on all fractional parts of a gallon or liter must be paid, except that the tax on a
60.25fractional part of a gallon less than 1/16 of a gallon is the same as for 1/16 of a gallon.
60.26EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2013.

60.27    Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 297G.03, is amended by adding a
60.28subdivision to read:
60.29    Subd. 5. Small winery credit. (a) A qualified winery is entitled to a tax credit of 
60.30$2.08 per gallon on 50,000 gallons sold in any fiscal year beginning July 1. Qualified 
60.31wineries may take the credit on the 18th day of each month, but the total credit allowed 
60.32may not exceed in any fiscal year the lesser of:
60.33(1) the liability for tax; or
60.34(2) $104,000.
60.35(b) For purposes of this subdivision, a “qualified winery” means a winery, whether 
60.36or not located in this state, producing less than 100,000 gallons of wine in the calendar 
60.37year immediately preceding the calendar year for which the credit under this subdivision 
60.38is claimed. In determining the number of gallons, all brands or labels of a winery must 
60.39be combined. All facilities for the production of wine owned or controlled by the same 
60.40person, corporation, or other entity must be treated as a single winery.
61.1EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2013.

61.2    Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 297G.04, is amended to read:
61.3297G.04 FERMENTED MALT BEVERAGES; RATE OF TAX.
61.4    Subdivision 1. Tax imposed. The following excise tax is imposed on all fermented
61.5malt beverages that are imported, directly or indirectly sold, or possessed in this state:
61.6(1) on fermented malt beverages containing not more than 3.2 percent alcohol by
61.7weight, $2.40 $25.55 per 31-gallon barrel; and
61.8(2) on fermented malt beverages containing more than 3.2 percent alcohol by
61.9weight, $4.60 $27.75 per 31-gallon barrel.
61.10For fractions of a 31-gallon barrel, the tax rate is calculated proportionally.
61.11    Subd. 2. Tax credit. A qualified brewer producing fermented malt beverages is
61.12entitled to a tax credit of $4.60 $27.75 per barrel on 25,000 50,000 barrels sold in any
61.13fiscal year beginning July 1, regardless of the alcohol content of the product. Qualified
61.14brewers may take the credit on the 18th day of each month, but the total credit allowed
61.15may not exceed in any fiscal year the lesser of:
61.16(1) the liability for tax; or
61.17(2) $115,000 $1,387,500.
61.18For purposes of this subdivision, a “qualified brewer” means a brewer, whether or
61.19not located in this state, manufacturing less than 100,000 200,000 barrels of fermented
61.20malt beverages in the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year for which
61.21the credit under this subdivision is claimed. In determining the number of barrels, all
61.22brands or labels of a brewer must be combined. All facilities for the manufacture of
61.23fermented malt beverages owned or controlled by the same person, corporation, or other
61.24entity must be treated as a single brewer.
61.25EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2013.

As time allows voting records will be updated with contact links and party affiliation.

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Death and Taxes

Taxes

It has been a while since the liquor excise tax has increased in Minnesota, and there is a movement afoot at the Capitol to change that.

The House Tax Omnibus HF 677, will increase the tax on liquor, wine, and beer in Minnesota by substantial amounts, as will the Senate version.  There are a few differences between the bills.  Both have massive increases, but the senate version creates an impact fund to go toward nonprofit entities that run substance abuse programs.

The tax increase is being sold as a mere pennies-per-pint increase, a notion that is entirely false.  In actuality, the tax increase is far more than a few pennies per pint.  The proposed state excise tax has an increase from $4.60 to $27.75 per 31-gallon barrel.  This is a 6-fold increase to one of the few industries showing growth in Minnesota.

Here is the terrible part about the tax increase; it gets passed to you, the consumer.  Brewers aren’t just going to pay the extra cost to the state and be done with it.  To cover the increase, brewers will increase the price that wholesalers pay, then wholesalers will pass that increase to retailers, and retailers will pass it to you.  Say what you want about the 3-tier system, but this is the system we have and it isn’t going away soon.

Follow along for some math fun!

Under the current tax structure:
Local brewery sells keg for $200
Wholesaler sells keg for $260 (30% increase)
Bar/store sells keg for $338 (30% increase)

Under the proposed tax structure:
Local brewery sells keg for $227
Wholesaler sells keg for $295 (same 30% increase)
Bar/store sells keg for $384 (same 30% increase)

See how a $27 tax can quickly become a $46 per Bbls increase? Include the federal excise tax, state sales tax, state alcohol tax, and local taxes, it is obvious that the government likes to dip its beak into your beer and drink heartily.

I think it is a really, really bad thing.

– Jacquie Berglund, Founder and CEO of FINNEGANS Inc.

But, not all governments are created equal. Of the surrounding states, Minnesota is currently in the middle of the pack when it comes to excise tax. South Dakota has a higher state excise tax at $8.50 a Bbls, and Wisconsin only taxes $2.40 a Bbls.  It is worth noting that South Dakota is the only other state in the region that also has a special Alcohol Tax.  The South Dakota special alcohol tax is 2%, and we beat them at 2.5% on gross receipts.

Death

Proponents of the tax increase claim that the extra tax revenue will offset the cost counties pay to run addiction centers and other alcohol-related medical expenses. If the idea is to offset the county costs, why is the tax revenue going into the state general fund? If counties like Hennepin are interested in offsetting the cost alcohol has on society, they should tax it at the county level. In fact, there are already numerous special taxes in downtown Minneapolis as they tax everything from dancing to liquor.

Breweries in Minnesota are doing their best to catch up to the rest on the country.  You will read all kinds news about the craft brewery explosion in Minnesota, but there are over 2,500 breweries in the country and we have less than 50.  We are a good deal behind the rest of the nation when it comes to enjoying local craft beer.  Increasing the cost to operate a brewery will only hinder the growth we’ve begun to see.

The only silver lining in the proposed tax increase is a provision that gives a credit to brewers on the first 50,000 Bbls brewed in a year.  The tax credit is nice, but it leaves breweries like Summit, Schell’s, and Cold Spring to pay a substantial amount of the tax.  The 50,000 ceiling is puzzling.  Nationally, brewers that produce less than 6 Mil Bbls a year are considered small.  A tax credit on 50,000 Bbls a year doesn’t do much to soften the blow of the proposed tax increase.

Unlike local wine and beer producers, there is no protection for local craft distillers in the proposed tax increase. Local distilling is an even smaller industry than brewing and wineries. Small distilleries are only beginning to have a presence here in Minnesota. Is the idea to collect more taxes from distillers, or make sure there are none here to pay the tax?

Minnesota is the home of prohibition and Andrew Volstead, but that doesn’t have to be our legacy. Prohibition is dead. Volstead is dead. This tax increase needs to die, too.

Legislative Events

Sunday Liquor Sales Hearing in House Committee

HF 521, a bill to legalize Sunday liquor sales will be heard in the House Commerce Committee today at 4 p.m. in the Basement Hearing Room of the State Office Building.

Please, call/email house committee members and tell them to legalize Sunday sales.

There are dozens of stores in the metro supporting this reform.  Polls show immense consumer support for legalizing Sunday sales.

Share this will your beer and freedom loving friends!

Representative Joe Atkins Committee ChairJoe Atkins (DFL)
583 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-4192
E-mail: rep.joe.atkins@house.mn
Representative Patti Fritz Vice ChairPatti Fritz (DFL)
437 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-8237
E-mail: rep.patti.fritz@house.mn
Representative Joe Hoppe Republican LeadJoe Hoppe (R)
343 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-5066
E-mail: rep.joe.hoppe@house.mn
Representative Sarah Anderson
Sarah Anderson (R)
237 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-5511
E-mail: rep.sarah.anderson@house.mn
Representative Tom Anzelc
Tom Anzelc (DFL)
517 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-4936
E-mail: rep.tom.anzelc@house.mn
Representative Greg Davids
Greg Davids (R)
283 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-9278
E-mail: rep.greg.davids@house.mn
Representative Raymond Dehn
Raymond Dehn (DFL)
423 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-8659
E-mail: rep.raymond.dehn@house.mn
Representative Andrew Falk
Andrew Falk (DFL)
439 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-4228
E-mail: rep.andrew.falk@house.mn
Representative Laurie Halverson
Laurie Halverson (DFL)
407 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-4128
E-mail: rep.laurie.halverson@house.mn
Representative Debra Hilstrom
Debra Hilstrom (DFL)
379 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-3709
E-mail: rep.debra.hilstrom@house.mn
Representative Melissa Hortman
Melissa Hortman (DFL)
377 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-4280
E-mail: rep.melissa.hortman@house.mn
Representative Sheldon Johnson
Sheldon Johnson (DFL)
549 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-4201
E-mail: rep.sheldon.johnson@house.mn
Representative Leon Lillie
Leon Lillie (DFL)
371 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-1188
E-mail: rep.leon.lillie@house.mn
Representative Jenifer Loon
Jenifer Loon (R)
261 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-7449
E-mail: rep.jenifer.loon@house.mn
Representative Tim Sanders
Tim Sanders (R)
259 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-4226
E-mail: rep.tim.sanders@house.mn
Representative Dan Schoen
Dan Schoen (DFL)
533 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-4342
E-mail: rep.dan.schoen@house.mn
Representative Linda Slocum
Linda Slocum (DFL)
415 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-7158
E-mail: rep.linda.slocum@house.mn
Representative Mike Sundin
Mike Sundin (DFL)
411 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-4308
E-mail: rep.mike.sundin@house.mn
Representative Chris Swedzinski
Chris Swedzinski (R)
251 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-5374
E-mail: rep.chris.swedzinski@house.mn
Representative Tama Theis
Tama Theis (R)
223 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-6316
E-mail: rep.tama.theis@house.mn
Representative Kelby Woodard
Kelby Woodard (R)
221 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-7065
E-mail: rep.kelby.woodard@house.mn
Representative Kurt Zellers
Kurt Zellers (R)
351 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-5502
E-mail: rep.kurt.zellers@house.mn
Representative Lyndon Carlson Sr. ex-officio Lyndon Carlson Sr. (DFL)
479 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155
651-296-4255
E-mail: rep.lyndon.carlson@house.mn
Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Minneapolis Craft Beer Pioneer Supports Sunday Liquor Sales

To whom it may concern,

My name is Al McCarty, and I have been an avid follower of the craft beer scene nationwide for over 20 years, and a bar industry professional for nearly twenty years. I have been the bar manager of the Blue Nile restaurant in the Seward neighborhood of Minneapolis for almost fifteen of those years, and in that role I have been a pioneer in promoting craft beer at this establishment, long before the current boom of local breweries and beer bars began.

In both of these aspects of my life, I have seen that the lack of Sunday sales of off-premise liquor and beer sales only serves to make Minnesota appear to be a backwards community. Currently, Minnesota counts among only a dozen states in the union that prohibit Sunday liquor sales. We feel proud to consider ourselves culturally, socially and politically progressive, yet we are in the same company as states such as Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Utah, Texas, and Montana. Many of these communities are our opposites when compared to politics, cultural life, and literacy. Minneapolis was recently named the #3 most literate city in the nation, behind Washington, D.C., and Seattle, Washington. And yet a literate, educated, sophisticated beer drinker in Minneapolis cannot visit a store and buy a well-crafted, sophisticated ale on a Sunday.

The local beer scene has exploded in recent years, with breweries and brewpubs popping up everywhere and striving, positively affecting the economy and the community, Yet, by law, we are still far behind. I was once visited at the Blue Nile by a man from Kansas who drove hundreds of miles for a taste of Surly Darkness Russian Imperial Stout. And yet, he reminded me, he could not walk into a store and buy a bottle in Minnesota on a Sunday, although in Kansas, he could. “What’s wrong with Kansas?” some ask? Not this.

When I point out to some people that we can’t do what some can in Kansas, I hear an astonishingly absurd reply. “Do we want to be like them?” In this case, yes, we do. We want to be like them, because we look backwards, primitive and un-progressive in comparison. In North Dakota, in Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Idaho, Nebraska, and all across the United States of America, sophisticated, educated consumers have the liberty to walk into a store on a Sunday and purchase a bottle, a 6-pack or a growler for their own private consumption at home, but in educated, sophisticated, progressive Minnesota, we are denied that liberty.

We are ahead of Kansas in beer, but in this one small matter whose opposition is antiquated and absurd. Blue laws have not place in the 21st Century. This is a diverse, cosmopolitan, worldly community of many cultures, who should no longer be constrained to the rule of a conservative religious culture. The arguments against allowing Sunday sales are flimsy and baseless. “You can always plan ahead and buy on Saturday,” I hear. That’s not logic and it’s not a sound argument. Why should we have to force this upon ourselves, as consumers? Some of us do not have the luxury in our work schedule to visit a liquor store to provide for our Sunday drinking plans by checking in on Saturday. These arbitrary limitations on our liberties as consumers do not hold water. Arguments against Sunday liquor sales by those in the packaged beverage world seem to only be based on an effort to do have to go to work on a Sunday, or to not have to compete with anyone else who is willing to do so. There is simply no other industry or craft who is limited by these laws, outside of car salesmen, and none of them have any problem with opening or not opening on a Sunday.

Al McCarty, craft beer legend and bar manager.
Al McCarty, craft beer advocate and bar manager.

So, ladies and gentlemen, esteemed legislators, I would hope you would consider how current laws affect the economy, as well as our communities standing among or against others in light of these same laws. Do we want to stand in the same circle as Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Utah, or Texas, despite how we appear in so many other regards, or do we want to allow for this most simple thing, the freedom to enter a store on a Sunday and buy a bottle of beer or wine for home consumption?

Yours, sincerely,
Al McCarty,
Minneapolis,
Minnesota

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Video: Sunday Sales at the Capitol

It isn’t just consumers that want Sunday liquor sales.

The Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association, along with other liquor store owners, say opening on Sundays would simply pull sales from other days and increase operating costs.

Alvey disagrees and says those who oppose Sunday sales don’t have to open seven days a week if a bill, sponsored by Senator Jeremy Miller, becomes law and repeals the ban. Instead, Alvey says liquor store owners could open on Sundays, reap financial rewards, and close on Mondays when he says sales are generally much slower.

Via KSTP TV