When life gives you lemons, you make more beer
In the 2019 Minnesota legislative session, we worked hard to raise the growler cap. This cap restricts growler sales once a brewery produces 20,000 barrels of beer annually. The session ended on May 25th and no liquor legislation moved forward. The liquor omnibus bills were stalled in both houses.
Come October 1, 2019 Castle Danger Brewery will no longer be able to sell growlers of any size from our taproom in Two Harbors. Not only is this a blow to our culture and history (think of grabbing a growler on your way up the North Shore) but this effects our staffing as a small business. We will need to make several hard decisions come fall.
We hang our hats on doing everything that we could possibly have done in the 2019 session. In the past we have said that we are optimistic, but there is a lot of work to do. We are choosing to be positive AND realistic. This is a tough pill to swallow and, to be honest, we are frustrated. This law just does NOT make sense. We are going to channel the energy from our frustration and turn it into action.
Because growlers are a form of off sale, the opposition suggests growler sales by breweries undermines the “three tier system” for beer where there is independence between supplier, distributor, and retailer. We couldn’t disagree more. Growlers are beer souvenirs that have proven to build brands, create exposure, and increase the volumes that flow through the three-tier system.
We urge you to talk to your friends, family, and representatives about how much growlers mean to you.
It won’t be long before additional Minnesota craft breweries also hit the growler cap. This fight is far from over and we are going to need your continued support leading up to, and during, the 2020 legislative session.
Now, let’s talk beer
From now through September 30th, it’s business as usual. We will accept all Castle Danger growler returns and will give you a full $5 refund for your growler as long as it’s in good condition. From October 1st through December 31st, you may still return your Castle Danger growler to the taproom. In exchange, you will receive a free pint token for each empty. Starting January 1st, 2020, we will not refund or redeem Castle Danger growlers. If you would like, you are welcome to drop them off at the taproom or hang on to them for when the law does change. Until then, you can get your favorite dangerously good ale at our taproom on Lake Superior or at your local liquor store, bar, or restaurant.
We are going to continue to sell growlers until the minute that we can’t. We will share updates, events, and anything growler related in the Growler Information newsletter. If you don’t already subscribe, get on it!
Again, we want to thank you for all of the lobbying you have done on our behalf this legislative session and also for all of the growlers you have purchased throughout the years. We need your support now more than ever. Help us bring our growlers back!