The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild (MNCBG) launched the MN Craft Beer PAC (PAC). The PAC is a bipartisan committee with the purpose of supporting policies and legislation that champion the cause of craft breweries of all sizes. The sole focus is to assist the influence of craft breweries and apply pressure to the barricades that consistently present themselves in their legislative efforts.
There are currently 200 breweries in Minnesota, but the state remains in last place when it comes to allowances for breweries. A few examples include hard caps on off-sale when a brewery grows past 20,000 barrels and restrictions on what containers can be sold directly from a brewery to consumers. Minnesota brewers continue to struggle to grow without hitting significant roadblocks.
Though craft breweries in Minnesota rack up an impressive $2.214 billion in economic impact, it hasn’t been enough to convince the legislature to support policy changes that would allow for a significant increase to their economic impact. The PAC will provide a stronger voice for Minnesota’s craft beer industry and champion legislation that leads to increased job growth, tourism, consumer choice/access, and economic impact.
Entrenched parties have significant influence over Minnesota’s legislature when it comes to liquor laws. Though more and more legislators are actively supporting the efforts of the craft beer and beverage industry, the MNCBG and other craft beverage associations have historically been at a financial disadvantage, putting MN craft beverage producers in a position where even getting a hearing on a bill is challenging.
The timing of the launch coincides with the current push for the modernization of liquor laws through the Drink Local Economic Recovery Package (SF 1176 / HF 1192). “The pandemic has put breweries and other craft beverage producers, bars, and restaurants in an impossible position,” said Lauren Bennett McGinty, Executive Director of the MNCBG. “The MNCBG chose to be part of this unprecedented collaboration because we understand the value of removing arcane statute that prevents these small businesses from being successful. We want to work with our partners in the industry to dig out of the pandemic and thrive in the future.”