Options expanded for Minn. liquor store tastings

Special tastings aren't just for wine anymore in Minnesota liquor stores.

A law that takes effect Friday allows liquor stores to stage fee-based events with malt liquor and spirits. They previously could hold them with wine as the featured drink.

The events can't last more than four hours. The stores can't charge per glass.

The tastings are more structured and separate from the sample stations often set up at liquor stores.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the bill Thursday after it won approval from the Legislature last week.

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