Minnesota Alcoholic Beverage Market: Regulations, Statistics, Trends, and Wholesalers
Anyone looking to start an alcohol business in Minnesota will find the following lines invaluable. For example, some towns in Minnesota have a monopoly on the sales of wine and spirits. We at Park Street have worked tirelessly to learn all the important stuff related to the latest alcohol consumption data and the current and upcoming trends in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
We’ve done all the research and shared everything that can help you start a business in Minnesota, and you can contact our experts for more help and advice.
Consumption Trends In Minnesota
Minnesota Spirits Consumption from 2015-2020 by 9-Liter Cases
Minnesota Wine Consumption from 2015-2020 by 9-Liter Cases
Minnesota Beer Consumption from 2015-2020 by 9-Liter Cases
Minnesota Spirits Volume By Category – 2020 Data
Spirit trends in Minnesota by volume and dollar sales in 2020.
| Category | Volume Sales Thousands, 9-liter cases |
Dollar Sales Millions |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Whiskey | 310 | $112 |
| Canadian Whisky | 610 | $262 |
| Scotch Whisky | 141 | $92 |
| Irish Whiskey | 86 | N/A |
| Gin | 184 | $80 |
| Vodka | 1,495 | $608 |
| Rum | 782 | $349 |
| Tequila | 212 | N/A |
| Cordials/Liqueurs | 564 | $214 |
| Cocktails | 158 | N/A |
Source: Beverage Information Group
Minnesota Wine Volume Sales By Category – 2020 Data
Wine trends in Minnesota by volume sales in 2020
| Category | Volume Sales Thousands, 9-liter cases |
|---|---|
| Table | 4,900 |
| Champagne & Sparkling | 392.9 |
| Dessert & Fortified | 55.2 |
| Vermouth & Aperitif | 16.8 |
Source: Beverage Information Group
Minnesota Beer Volume Sales By Category – 2020 Data
Beer trends in Minnesota by volume sales in 2020
| Category | Volume Sales Thousands, 2.25 Gallon Cases |
Volume Sales barrels |
|---|---|---|
| Craft | 7.1 | 228.8 |
| FMBs & Hard Seltzer | 6.7 | 216.8 |
| Super & Super Premium | 6.1 | 197.4 |
| Light | 17 | 548.7 |
| Popular | 4.1 | 130.9 |
| Imported | 5.3 | 171.7 |
Source: Beverage Information Group
The Top 10 Spirits Brands
In Minnesota
- Crown Royal
- Hennessy
- Bacardi
- Tito’s Handmade Vodka
- E & J
- Captain Morgan (excludes Parrot Bay)
- Smirnoff
- Fireball
- New Amsterdam Vodka
- Paul Masson Brandy
The Top 10 Table Wine Brands
In Minnesota
- Coming Soon
The Top 10 Domestic Beer Brands
In Minnesota
- Coming Soon
Alcoholic Beverage Distributors Located In Minnesota
When it comes to the sale of alcohol, the United States adheres to a rigid three-tier structure. Wholesalers or importers make up the “middle tier” of the sector. The lowest layer, which comprises of suppliers and manufacturers, supplies goods to these enterprises. Following that, they offer the goods for sale to distributors, who subsequently offer them to retailers. The customers are then sold by the shops. In the United States, the three-tier system must be used for all sales.
Below you will find an updated list of the top distributors located in the state of Minnesota. Need more info on the many alcohol distributors throughout the USA? Check out the full list of distributors or fill out the contact form provided.
Wine & Spirits Distributors
Coming Soon
Beer Distributors
Coming Soon
More Distributors in Minnesota (A-Z)
Coming Soon
Self-Pitch Distribution Model
IFinding distributors ready to market your brand might be challenging in the current business climate.
There are hundreds, perhaps countless, of brands, but fewer distribution companies exist to transport your goods through the tiers, as you may or may not be aware.
Many companies utilize Park Street’s self-pitch distribution strategy to lessen obstacles and enhance their chances of obtaining distribution.
In that the products are sold to retailers, the self-pitch distributing model is similar to the three-tier traditional distribution model. The primary distinction is that sales and marketing are handled by the provider.
Selling Alcohol In Minnesota
Whether you’re a brand owner or a local retailer, you need to know the laws of selling alcoholic beverages in the state of Minnesota. Below you will find a rundown of all the important questions and answers related to selling beer, wine, and spirits in Minnesota.
Should you not find the answers that you’re looking for, please feel free to reach out to us.
FAQs on Minnesota Beer, Wine & Spirits Sales
What are the policies regarding the sale of alcohol on Sundays in Minnesota?
People in Minnesota can purchase alcohol for off-premise use on Sundays from retailers with a special license, and they can do so from 11 AM to 6 PM.
What are the hours retailers can sell alcohol?
In Minnesota, only beer is sold in grocery stores, and wine and distilled spirits are in municipal-controlled stores, available from 8 AM to 10 PM, Monday to Saturday, and 11 AM to 6 PM on Sundays. On-premise alcohol is sold seven days a week from 8 AM to 2 AM.
What are the alcohol laws in Minnesota?
A person must be 18 and over to serve alcohol and be 21 and older to purchase alcohol in Minnesota.
The state bans open containers in vehicles; any open bottle of alcohol must be transported in the vehicle’s trunk. Also, Minnesota has a “per se intoxicated” rule, meaning anyone with a BAC over 0.08% could be convicted of a DUI.
Beer with less than 3.2% alcohol can be sold at grocery stores; wine and distilled spirits are only sold at municipal liquor stores. Bars, restaurants, and clubs can serve alcohol every day from 8 AM to 2 AM.
Do Walmart, Target, and CVS sell alcohol in Minnesota?
People in Minnesota can only buy beer in stores like Walmart, Target, and CVS that have obtained state licenses.
Do they sell liquor, wine, or beer in grocery stores in Minnesota?
Grocery stores in Minnesota can only sell beer with less than 3.2% ABV; wine and distilled spirits are sold at municipal liquor stores.
Do they sell alcohol in gas stations in Minnesota?
Gas stations with retail outlets can only sell beer with less than 3.2% ABV; however, Minnesotans hope this will change soon.
What is the alcohol excise tax in Minnesota?
Minnesota has a relatively low excise tax on alcohol as follows:
- Beer Tax – $0.15/gallon
- Wine Tax – $0.30/gallon
- Distilled Spirits Tax – $5.03/gallon
The Federal alcohol excise tax is also included in the price of the alcoholic beverage sold in Minnesota, as follows:
- Beer Federal Excise Tax – $18.00/31-gallon barrel, or $0.05 per 12-oz can
- Wine Federal Excise Tax – $1.07 to $3.4/gallon; $0.21 to $0.67/750ml bottle
- Distilled Spirits Federal Excise Tax – $13.5/proof gallon or $2.14/750ml 80-proof bottle (40% ABV).
Buying Alcohol In Minnesota – Hours, Locations & Taxes
Buying alcohol in Minnesota is pretty straightforward. We’ve provided details below that should help you understand the laws that are applicable to purchasing and consuming alcohol within the state.
FAQs on Buying Beer, Wine & Liquor in Minnesota
Can you buy liquor in grocery stores in Minnesota?
No, at this time, you can only purchase beer with up to 3.2% ABV in grocery stores in Minnesota.
Can you buy alcohol in gas stations in Minnesota?
The only alcohol you can purchase at gas stations in Minnesota is the so-called “near-beer” or beer with up to 3.2% ABV.
Does Minnesota Allow direct-to-consumer shipping?
Minnesota allows the direct-to-consumer sale and delivery of all wine, beer, and distilled spirits provided the buyer provides adequate age verification.
What times can you buy liquor, wine, or beer in Minnesota?
You can purchase alcohol for off-premise consumption from 8 AM to 10 PM, Monday to Saturday, and 11 AM to 6 PM on Sunday. On-premise alcohol sales are allowed seven days a week from 8 AM to 2 AM. Off-premise sales are banned on Thanksgiving, after 8 PM on Christmas Eve, and all day on Christmas Day.
Can you order alcohol to go in Minnesota?
During the pandemic-caused lockdowns, Minnesotan restaurants were allowed to sell wine and beer with food orders to go, prohibiting cocktails and mixed drinks. As of December 2022, restaurants can only sell alcohol with food in an original, unopened package, capped at 72 oz of beer, cider, or hard seltzer, and 750 ml wine per order.
Where in Minnesota can you buy alcohol off-premise?
You can purchase beer with up to 3.2% ABV in grocery stores and gas stations; wine and distilled spirits can be only purchased from municipal liquor stores.
Where can buy alcohol for on-premise consumption in Minnesota?
On-premise alcohol in Minnesota is sold at restaurants, bars, clubs, hotels, etc.
Data Sources – dps.mn.gov, house.leg.state.mn.us, wikipedia.org)
At Park Street, we provide services to thousands of clients looking to expand their reach and improve their processes. Services provided can be found on this page here. If you’re looking to grow your brand and focus on marketing while we do the rest, then please reach out to us!
Looking For An Importer, Distributor or Back-Office Solution?
Find out why Park Street is a leading distributor and solution in the wine & spirits industry. Contact us to find out exactly what we can do for your brand.