So what will these bills allow? One will allow liquor stores to sell store-branded apparel. The other will allow liquor stores to charge a fee for tasting/education events in order to pay folks like myself big bucks to sample beer with their patrons special guest speakers.

Also included in the omnibus liquor bill are provisions to allow for beer sales at the U of M’s TCF Bank Stadium (and if I follow correctly, sales can’t be limited solely to the suites) as well as a bill allowing breweries that aren’t distributed in Minnesota to sample beer at one festival a year.

What happens when three Minnesotans are “snowed-in” during a roadtrip to Denver? SNOW DAY! Brewing TV is forced to abandon plans for one episode — but salvage a day in Denver with visits to Denver Beer Company, Great Divide Brewing Company, and our first distillery Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey. And we sit down for a chat with beer writer Ed Sealover. Let’s hope we see more beer-friendly laws here in Minnesota that allow for a thriving taproom scene similar to this!

PS – this episode is followed by two hardcore homebrewing episodes back home in the Twin Cities. Get your fermentors sanitized and ready for it!

An exclusive liquor store, with the approval of the commissioner, may be issued an off-sale license by a municipality for off-sale of malt liquor filled at the tap and packaged consistent with the requirement of section 340A.301, subdivision 7, paragraph (b), by the licensee on the licensed premises. The malt liquor must be made available to the licensees in kegs or barrels by a wholesaler or manufacturer and be otherwise not available in Minnesota by can or bottle. All local ordinances and state provisions relating to public health are applicable.

As written, this would allow liquor stores a chance to fill growlers of kegged beer, providing it isn’t already available in Minnesota in a packaged form. So as an example, under the law you could buy a growler of Lucid Camo from your favorite beer store, but Surly Darkness would be a no-go. And with regards to growlers at brewpubs & breweries, this wouldn’t change a thing.

Launching this kind of operation won’t come without its costs, however. Stores will have to adhere to health standards and will need to invest in the proper cleaning systems, growlers and labeling equipment. And then there’s the labor. Don’t expect this in most stores, though the right store could make this pretty awesome.

What do you think? Would you buy a growler at a beer store? Would you be disappointed if the store couldn’t fill a growler of Flat Earth Rode Haring for you? How many beers a year could actually be filled with the language as-is?

In any case, with help from Representative Steve Simon (SLP), the bill is returning this year. I spoke with Jason today got the impression that both he and Simon feel the bill will pass, though they’ll still need as much support as possible.

…but wait there’s more! Alvey and Simon also plan to introduce an “Education Bill” for liquor stores as well. This bill would allow all Minnesota liquor stores to hold one class per month and charge a fee per head to in order to pay special guest speakers. Currently this is illegal – as the law now stands, all off-sale tasting events must be free of charge. Alvey’s intention would be to pull in guest speakers from around the country and have attendees pay for the speakers’ time, not the beer.

Both of these pieces of legislation will need your support. We’ll keep you posted as things progress!

The new Northern Brewer Minneapolis store (6021 Lyndale Ave. S.) has a classroom area that will be used for brew sessions, classes, workshops and guest speakers. Over the next two weekends, the place will be packed with visitors from the realm of sports, homebrew and craft beer.

MN Stars Team — 12/3/2011 (1:00pm-3:00pm)
Northern Brewer proudly sponsors the champion Minnesota Stars soccer team. Players will be hanging out with their 2011 NASL Championship Trophy and raffling off season tickets.

Jerrod Johnson from Surly Brewing Co. — 12/3/2011 (3:00pm-4:00pm)
Surly brewer Jerrod Johnson will be on hand to talk all things Surly.

Kristin England from Pour Decisions Brewing Company — 12/4/2011 (2pm-3pm)
Pour Decisions co-owner and brewer Kris England will be on hand to talk about his experiences as a homebrewer going pro. Kris is also an award-winning homebrewer with tons of experience.

Minneapolis Homebrew Day — 10/2011 (1pm)
Minneapolis Council Member John H. Quincy will be on hand to say a few words about Minneapolis Homebrew day, an official proclamation by Mayor R.T. Rybak and the city of Minneapolis! We’re inviting pro-brewers and homebrewers alike to join us in this symbolic event!

Thanks for the head’s up, Matt! The West Bank Brewing Association is having another night of beer and policy conversation tonight at 7:30 at Republic, featuring some guy named Omar from Surly and Jim from Fulton. Read on friends.

Greetings! The West Bank Brewing Association would like to invite you to join us for an evening of good beer and conversation with two all stars from the Twin Cities brewing community. Special guests Omar Ansari, Founder of Surly Brewing Company and Jim Diley, General Counsel and Co-Founder of Fulton Brewing Company, will headline an evening at RePUBlic to discuss the Taproom Bill, their views on the state of the beer economy in the Twin Cities, and other other topics relevant to beer enthusiasts and law/policy wonks alike. When: Wednesday, Nov 16 2011, 7:30pm Where: RePUBlic, West Bank- 221 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, MN We will also have some time built in for audience interaction, so feel free to bring questions. If you have any questions, contact Brandon Helm (helm0213@umn.edu) or Nick Stuber (stub0061@umn.edu) from WBBA.

If you’re not already familiar, Rob Miller wants to open Dangerous Man Brewing Co. in Northeast Minneapolis next summer. He’s run into a snag in that the spot he’d like to use is within 300 feet of a religious institution, a no-no according to the lawbooks at this point. The goal, of course, is to change the law. So… if you’re available Monday afternoon, please lend your support.

What: Public Hearing
Where: City Hall room 317 (350 South 5th St.)
When: Monday, November 7th
Time: 1:30pm

Minnesota Beer Activists is holding a fundraiser…er foamraiser Saturday at Nomad World Pub in Minneapolis from 4-8. Proceeds & donations will go to funding the groups’ initiatives and operations. The event will include beer from Lift Bridge, Steel Toe, Harriet, Odell and Lucid as well as food from Natedogs, Mustachios as well as music from Peter Lang, West of Aldine, guest speaker Doug Hoverson and a silent auction.

A good cause, good beer, good food, good music? Count us in.

Celebrate with a local beer! Nice work local craft beer fans, brewers and breweries! Next round, let’s get that brewpub legislation passed! T-shirts too!

Commence enjoying local beer in 4, 3, 2….