We went on the Surly brewery tour on Friday. It was long overdue and something I look forward to doing again. Mostly because you get to drink free beer with Omar, the owner. He seems like a seriously nice dude.
We happened to go on Surly's 5th anniversary. It was also a few days after they announced plans to build a "Destination Brewery, Bar/Restaurant and Event Center". Such a thing would bring:
- Jobs. About 85 temporary construction jobs and about 150 more permanent jobs thereafter.
- Economic stimulus around whatever part of the Twin Cities it ends up being built.
- More delicious Surly beer.
- Surly beer that's easier to find in liquor stores in the metro and once again in out-state MN and around the region.
But in order to make this happen, MN law needs to change. The Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association does not want their cartel interfered with (even though Surly would have to give up their self distribution model and move to the MLBA system) and are going to be standing in the way of new legislation. They don't have any kind of rational, coherent argument but they do have deep pockets. Here's more details on the situation. Here's even more details from Omar. And one more article here.
Omar giving the "tour"
The first thing that needs to happen to get these laws changed is to get a proposal into a subcommittee. Surly has hired a lobbying firm and we are all awaiting their further instructions.
Omar's dad
Omar again, by the boiler and fermenters
Husband and the wall of cans
Yours truly and the wall of cans
How to help, Part 1:
Stanley's Northeast Bar Room is having an event to support Surly this Saturday the 19th. They will be collecting signatures to send to the MN Capitol.
Contact your legislators. Surly just released the how, why, and what. This will be easier once we have a reference number of some type but it wouldn't hurt to do it now and again later.
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