SF1238 Summary

• Defines "brew pub" as a brewer holding retail on-sale licenses producing fewer than 3,500 barrels annually, with production solely for on-tap consumption or off-sale at licensed premises.

• Authorizes microdistillery cocktail room licenses allowing on-sale of distilled spirits at distillery premises, with restrictions on ownership of taproom licenses and requirement to notify commissioner of license changes.

• Creates brewer taproom licenses for brewers producing under specified barrels allowing on-sale at brewery premises, subject to size restrictions (prohibits brewers exceeding 250,000 barrels annually) and Sunday sales if municipality approves.

• Permits small brewer off-sale licenses allowing up to 500 barrels annually of malt liquor in growlers or 750 milliliter bottles with specific packaging and labeling requirements, with Sunday growler sales if approved.

• Establishes special liquor licenses for specific cities (Minneapolis theaters, Becker golf course, Duluth, Inver Grove Heights, St. Cloud, Brooklyn Park) and implements temporary powdered alcohol ban until June 1, 2016 pending legislative review.