Minnesota House follows Senate, approves beer and wine to-go

The Minnesota House of Representatives on Friday approved legislation allowing state bars and restaurants to sell beer and wine to-go during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The House approved the measure 129-1. The Senate approved the bill, 65-2, Thursday.

When signed by Gov. Tim Walz, licensed restaurants will be able to sell up to 72 ounces of beer, hard seltzer or cider, and up to 750 milliliters of wine with a takeout food order. That works out to six 12-ounce cans of beer or a standard bottle of wine.

Senate approves plan for beer and wine to-go

Walz ordered bars and restaurants to shut down as of March 17 to enforce social distancing as the coronavirus pandemic started to take hold in Minnesota. While they’re allowed to offer takeout and delivery service, they’re now hoping beer and wine sales during the shutdown will help make up for some lost liquor sales.

Walz has expressed support for the measure but wanted the Legislature to authorize it because of questions about whether he had the authority to grant the request via executive order.