Sponsors promise Sunday growler fight next session

The sponsors of a bill that would have allowed breweries to sell growlers on Sundays in Minnesota say they're frustrated by the tactics used to kill the provision.

Sen. Roger Reinert, DFL-Duluth, said the growler provision was meant to satisfy traditional opponents of Sunday liquor sales, liquor stores and the Teamsters union. The union has argued that any Sunday sales could cause their members to reopen contract negotiations with the distributors.

•Previously: Teamsters lobby against proposed Sunday growler sales

•Related: House passes liquor bill without Sunday growlers

"The Senate included language meant to take care of the Teamsters concern just for good measure, even though stores don't sell growlers and Teamsters don't carry them, yet that was still problematic," Reinert said. "If I'm asked who's responsible for this not making progress, it's the Teamsters."

An amendment proposed on the House floor took all the language of the omnibus liquor bill except the growler provision and attached it to an unrelated bill. After the House passed the bill Thursday, the Senate approved it Friday.

"It's just disappointing that our Legislature wasn't able to stand behind these small businesses, allow them to expand this revenue stream and allow them to be successful."

House sponsor Rep. Jenifer Loon, R-Eden Prairie, said the legislative process did not work in a way that really reflected the will of the people.

"There is overwhelmingly strong support for changing these laws," Loon said. "It's high time that we try to get a real debate with real action where all members are allowed to offer suggestions, offer changes to laws, let the Legislature work its will."

Loon said the growing craft brewery industry in the state would have received a boost from the legislation.

"It's just disappointing that our Legislature wasn't able to stand behind these small businesses, allow them to expand this revenue stream and allow them to be successful," Loon said.

Reinert said allowing breweries to make growler sales on Sundays was "an infant crawl" towards allowing Sunday liquor sales, which both he and Loon support.

He plans to introduce the Sunday sales legislation again next session. If powerful opponents continue to block the bill from being voted on, Reinert said he wouldn't rule out trying to get the provision on a ballot measure.

"If we have something that 70-something percent of Minnesotans want, but that can't make it through this building, maybe it is time to make it a ballot question," Reinert said.

The legislation awaiting the governor's signature does allow breweries that have taprooms to keep the taprooms open on Sundays. And a provision that applies every day but Sunday allows consumers to fill growlers at multiple breweries, rather than having to buy individual growlers for each one.