On Friday, the Minneapolis City Council voted 11-2 in favor of an ordinance amendment which paved the way for a third microbrewery to open in Minneapolis. The amendment removed a restriction that would have prevented Dangerous Man Brewing (a client …
City of Minneapolis to Microbreweries: We’re Open For Business Read more »
As Minnesota continues its move to the forefront of the craft beer industry in the United States, a reminder of its not-so-friendly relationship with liquor interests reared its head this week. The new Ken Burns series “Prohibition” aired this week …
Recently, Samuel Adams (which operates under the legal name “Boston Beer Company”) began airing a television ad that claims credit for igniting America’s craft beer industry with the introduction of its Boston Lager in 1984 and suggests that it has …
Recently I wrote about the Minnesota’s new taproom license law, also known as the “Surly Law” (after Surly Brewing, the chief proponent of the law). While most of the focus in this past Legislative session was on the proposed state law …
While the 2011 Session of the Minnesota Legislature was highlighted by the budget battle with Governor Mark Dayton, there were numerous other non-budgetary measures enacted into law. One law change which received more coverage than any other was the new …
The Basics of Minnesota’s Brewer Taproom License Read more »
On July 1, 2011, when Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and the Republican-controlled Legislature reached an impasse in their negotiations over a budget for the 2011-12 biennium, Minnesota’s state government shutdown. State parks closed, highway projects stopped and only those functions …
How the Beer Industry Ended Minnesota’s Government Shutdown Read more »
Minnesota is on the eve of the first committee hearing on the proposed brewery pint law (which will take place on April 5 in the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee). In my opinion, passage of the law will open up a …
I’m just a bill.Yes, I’m only a bill.And I’m sitting here on Capitol Hill.Well, it’s a long, long journeyTo the capital city.It’s a long, long waitWhile I’m sitting in committee,But I know I’ll be a law somedayAt least I hope …
Last week I wrote about a pending law change in Minnesota that, if approved, would remove a significant hurdle to Surly Brewing Company’s proposed $20 million expansion plan. In the past week, as the proposal has moved forward in the …
Surly Legislation Picks Up Steam, and the MLBA is Steamed About It Read more »
Minnesota has enjoyed a long history of brewing beer. Hamm’s, Stroh’s, Schmidt and Grain Belt are the most prominent of brands to have been brewed here in the “Land of Sky Blue Waters” (as the Hamm’s jingle went). Unfortunately, changing …
Could Law Changes Lead to a Brewery Boom in Minnesota? Read more »