FW: Beer "growler" sales and Eden Prairie Regulations

Here's an interesting response I got from a city council member whe I wrote him regarding the growler issue: Here is my email: Dear Eden Prairie City Council Members, As a person who works in Eden Prairie, I would like you to take a moment to consider a change in your city policy and/or laws in order to allow your local brewpub, "Hops", to sell beer in small off-sale containers commonly known as "Growlers" As a patron of Hops, and a part-time worker at another Eden Prairie business, I would certainly enjoy purchasing the occasional growler to take home with me. From my experience, brewpub patrons are very particular about their beer and they enjoy the fresh products available at places like Hops. I understand that your city has a monopoly on off-site liquor sales. I am sure that neither the volume nor the type of beer sold at Hops will negatively effect your city's beer sales; most of the growler sales will be to restaurant patrons who would like a little to take home. I am sure, however, that allowing growler sales will provide a great benefit for Hops' business and for the plans of any future brewpub that would consider making Eden Prairie its home. Certainly these abilities to continue to bring people into Eden Prairie to work and spend their money are important to the city. Once again, as City Council Members, please support any necessary changes to your city's ordinances or policies that would allow "Growler" sales. Here is the Response: From: "Philip Young" <PYoung(a)edenprairie.org> Date: Sat, 9 Aug 2003 14:53:58 -0500 To: "Ric Heins" <ric(a)richeins.com> Subject: RE: Beer "growler" sales and Eden Prairie Regulations Dear Mr. Heins: I may be the only councilperson who agrees with you. I do not favor our liquor monopoly and I think that the City should permit Hops to sell "growlers." I do not know if the Eden Prairie News is aware of the state enabling legislation which allows the sale of "growlers," but I think it would be worth your while to see if our local paper is interested in this story. I intend bringing it up at the next Council meeting. Phil Young