Coronavirus Updates: MN Senate Passes Legislation Allowing Beer, Wine To-Go
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesotans may soon be able to purchase beer and wine to-go.
On Thursday, the Minnesota Senate passed legislation that will allow restaurants to temporarily offer to-go sales of beer and wine.
It means customers will be able to purchase up to one bottle of wine and the equivalent of a six-pack of beer, cider or hard seltzer with takeout food orders.
More specifically, to-go alcoholic beverages will be "required to be sold in the original, unopened packaging, and be limited to 72 ounces per order for beer and 750 milliliters per order for wine."
The bill will now go to the House for a vote on Friday, where it's expected to pass, before going to Gov. Tim Walz's desk for final review. Walz has said he supports the measure.
It will be a temporary fix to address declining sales, lasting as long as restaurants are closed. Currently, restaurants are ordered to keep their dine-in services closed until May 4.
Why only curbside beer/wine? The lobbyists for liquor license holders told me: "There was not consensus on our Board on including cocktails. MLBA did not specifically lobby against the addition of spirits but recognizes that spirits have a different shelf life than beer/wine."
— Jason DeRusha (@DeRushaJ) April 16, 2020
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