Minnesota breweries saw sales, revenue drop in 2020
The report underscores the industry s push to change Minnesota s liquor laws.
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Minnesota s craft breweries saw an 18% drop in sales in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, despite studies that show many Americans are drinking more.
Breweries rely heavily on selling beer in their taprooms (73% of sales are made on-site) but were limited by state-ordered shutdowns last spring and fall, resulting in an 18% decline in sales and the loss of 595 direct jobs, the report states. What s more, the industry s economic impact on Minnesota s economy fell from $1 billion in 2019 to $813 million in 2020, causing the state s economy to lose an estimated $186.6 million in economic activity and impacted 1,050 direct and indirect jobs, the report says.
Rep. Nash urges hearing on liquor reform bill as 2 beverage producers head to Wisconsin
In the span of a few weeks, two Minnesota craft beverage producers have announced expansion plans in Wisconsin, blaming Minnesota s liquor laws.
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Lift Bridge Brewery
News that two of Minnesota s largest craft beverage producers are expanding in Wisconsin instead of Minnesota underscores the need to reform Minnesota s liquor laws, some legislators and those in the industry argue.
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Both businesses cited Minnesota s liquor laws as reasons why they chose to expand in Wisconsin instead of Minnesota.
Lift Bridge is growing, and soon will exceed the state s growler cap, meaning it won t be able to sell beer to-go from the taproom because it ll be too big, according to state law. Opening up a taproom and facility in Wisconsin will allow Lift Bridge to brew more beer and grow, while still being able to sell growlers in the Stillwater taproom.