TCF Bank stadium may soon see beer sales
A measure that could satisfy some fans' thirst for beer at the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium is halfway to Gov. Mark Dayton.
The Senate voted 55-3 for a liquor law change Friday. The House is likely to vote soon on the liquor bill.
The bill would grant the university a stadium liquor license if alcohol sales are open to the general public. The University of Minnesota says it supports the legislation.
The proposal, part of a larger liquor bill, would require the university to offer alcohol in the general seating area. It would also apply to Vikings games.
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The new language enables the university to restrict sales and drinking to one location such as in a beer garden.
"It would likely be sold in a contained area that requires people to show their ID. They would likely have to consume the alcohol in that location," said university spokesman Chuck Tombarge.
He said the new language gives the university the control it needs.
"This new legislation both makes alcohol accessible to those that are of drinking age in the general seating area but does so in a way that allows the university to contain it and do it responsibly," Tombarge said.
"It would likely be sold in a contained area that requires people to show their ID. They would likely have to consume the alcohol in that location."
Previously the school had wanted to sell alcohol only in premium seats. But the Legislature said it also had to sell alcohol to at least a third of the stadium general seating.
Tombarge said that requirement made it too difficult to police drinking, so the university decided not to sell any alcohol.
The new bill would allow alcohol sales through halftime.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
