THE SURLY BILL
Historically, Minnesota breweries were not permitted to serve pints of their beers on site. Now, thanks to the Surly Bill, brewers are able to apply for a license to serve their own brews on site.
In May of 2011, Governor Mark Dayton signed the Surly Bill into law. Prior to its passage, Minnesota breweries were not allowed to serve pints of their beer on site because of the three-tired system separating the roles of alcohol manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Now, if their municipalities allow it, brewers can apply for a license to sell pints at their breweries.
The Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association, the state’s most powerful liquor lobby, originally opposed the legislation in favor of the three-tier system. Eventually, they came around after lawmakers agreed to limit the law to only breweries producing less than 250,000 barrels per year.
The legislation was dubbed the Surly Bill as it allowed Surly Brewing Co. to serve pints at their proposed $20 million destination brewery. Surly broke ground on the brewery in October 2013 located in the Minneapolis Prospect Park neighborhood.
In May of 2011, Governor Mark Dayton signed the Surly Bill into law. Prior to its passage, Minnesota breweries were not allowed to serve pints of their beer on site because of the three-tired system separating the roles of alcohol manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Now, if their municipalities allow it, brewers can apply for a license to sell pints at their breweries.
The Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association, the state’s most powerful liquor lobby, originally opposed the legislation in favor of the three-tier system. Eventually, they came around after lawmakers agreed to limit the law to only breweries producing less than 250,000 barrels per year.
The legislation was dubbed the Surly Bill as it allowed Surly Brewing Co. to serve pints at their proposed $20 million destination brewery. Surly broke ground on the brewery in October 2013 located in the Minneapolis Prospect Park neighborhood.
