Beer, wine and spirits added to the list of MN COVID-19 vaccine enticements

Christopher Magan, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
·2 min read

May 28—Minnesota is adding free and discounted booze to the list of perks residents can receive if they get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Gov. Tim Walz announced the "Cheers to the Vaccine" campaign Friday, a partnership with the Craft Brewers Guild and Minnesota Distillers Guild to offer free or discounted drinks to the vaccinated through the end of June.

The campaign comes just a day after the governor announced that the first 100,000 newly vaccinated residents could claim one of several prizes, which range from fishing licenses to parks passes.

Minnesota leaders hope to have 70 percent of residents 16 and older vaccinated by July 1. As of Friday, 2.8 million residents in that group, 64 percent, had received their first dose of vaccine.

Several of the breweries and distilleries participating in the new effort will also offer vaccination clinics on site for guests in coming weeks.

"Small businesses all over Minnesota have stepped up throughout the pandemic and I'm grateful so many breweries, wineries, and distilleries are now going the extra mile to help keep our state safe and end this pandemic," Walz said in a statement announcing the new effort. "We're doing this the Minnesota way — coming together to take care of each other while having a good time."

To be eligible for a free or discounted drink residents must be 21 or older and show proof of vaccination.

These establishments are participating:

— Bad Weather Brewing Company

— Bald Man Brewing

— Dampfwerk Distillery Co.

— Far North Spirits, Inc.

— Isanti Spirits

— La Dona Cerveceria

— Lawless Distilling Company

— L'Etoile du Nord

— Loon Liquors

— Lupulin Brewing Company

— Richwood Winery

— Royal Foundry Craft Spirits

— Spiral Brewery

— Stilheart Distillery and Cocktail Lounge

— Unmapped Brewing Co.

— Utepils Brewing Co.

"Minnesota breweries are excited to get customers back in their taprooms, but they also want to continue to be safe. This program is a great way to promote safety and support local small businesses that have been hit especially hard during the pandemic," said Lauren McGinty, Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild executive director.

For more information about how to get vaccinated visit VaccineConnector.mn.gov or call 1-833-431-2053.