This one seems to be hitting people by surprise, so Minnesota breweries and brewpubs take note:

SF0201

Relating to liquor; modifying the regulations of off-sales by brewpubs and small brewers; permitting breweries to provide samples of products on premises to individuals touring the brewery

If I read it correctly, it’s a modification to our “growler” law in Minnesota that would allow brewpubs to sell their beer in 750ml bottles as well. I don’t really think that this is the best language (I’d rather see a range set by volume of liquid, if anything), but it might be a nice possibility for Minnesota brewpubs.

On the other hand, I’m not so sure about the following addition:

(c) A brewer may provide samples of its own products on its premises to persons touring the brewery in a quantity of less than 100 milliliters of malt liquor per variety per person.

As you probably know, people have been sampling beer at breweries for decades. And while our Minnesota breweries no longer give out samples in the quantities that Grain Belt did in the old days, I have to wonder if we really need to legislate things in this manner… Local breweries do a good job self-regulating their sampling as it is… the same would go for Minnesota wineries. I guess I’m a little confused about the necessity to add this last line to the legislation.

In any case, I talked to a couple of brewers who knew nothing about the bill, and I expect it’ll come as a bit of a surprise to most people in the Minnesota brewing community. Senator Bakk told me that the request came from one of his constituents in Two Harbors. And though I won’t name names, I’m curious as to whether or not there’s something brewing (brewpub? brewery?) up in Two Harbors.

Anyway, keep your eye on this, and share your two cents with your representatives on this bill. Thanks to Eric for the tip.