With end of COVID era on horizon, brewers bid farewell to chaotic year
The North Dakota Legislature, now meeting in Bismarck, has been discussing bills that could tweak the way bars, restaurants and liquor stores do business.
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Sam Easter | ×
Rhombus Brewing Brewing Co. co-founders Matt Winjum, left, and Arron Hendricks at their downtown Grand Forks brew pub. Photo by Eric Hylden/Grand Forks Herald
GRAND FORKS The pandemic hasn’t been easy for anyone. But for those in the beer business or wine, or spirits, or anything with alcohol it’s been an especially strange year.
Matt Winjum, co-owner of Grand Forks’ Rhombus Guys Brewing Company, has watched his supply chain swing wildly since last March. When the pandemic struck, business cratered, as customers stayed out of bars and restaurants. But then, as months passed, things started changing.
Three Lyons Pub serves up British fare in West Fargo. David Samson / The Forum
Weeks after North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz implemented new COVID-19 restrictions for bars and restaurants in their states, an industry that has been battered by the pandemic is dealing with the fallout.
North Dakota s newest restrictions, which Burgum announced Nov. 13, toughened the state s approach by implementing a statewide mask mandate and forcing bars and restaurants to operate at 50% of capacity, with a maximum capacity of 150 patrons. The restrictions, which were originally scheduled to last until Monday, Dec. 14, also included a 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew during which in-person dining is prohibited.