Kona Brewing is the subject of a second lawsuit, Mississippi looks to put beer in taprooms, and Guinness teams up with Maryland brewers to raise the cap on beer sold on premises at production breweries.  New laws and regulations are popping up all over the country, don’t be the last know. Keep reading to catch the details of these stories and more in this edition of the Weekly Growler Fill.

Second Lawsuit Filed Against Kona Brewing Parent Company

Somebody else got a case of the lawsuit bug and this time, they are taking everyone down with them. Unlike the lawsuit we reported about last week filed against Craft Brew Alliance, the second lawsuit about Kona Brewing Co’s origins also names Kona Brewing Co. LLC, Kona Brew Enterprises LLC and Kona Brewery LLC. To refresh your memory, people are upset that Kona Brewing Company beer is, for the most part, made on the mainland here in the U.S. and not on the beautiful islands of Hawaii. This fact is stated on the company’s website and on the bottles. The second wave of litigation is similar to the first – it claims deceptive advertising. However, it even goes so far as to say the plaintiff experienced injury in the form of lost money. This second suit is also being filed as a class action, so if you too feel offended about which state Kona comes from, you can join in with your fellow upset Kona drinkers. [Read full article]

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Mississippi Brewery Bill Approved, Headed to Governor

In a move to modernize the south, breweries in Mississippi may soon be able to sell beer on their premises. House Bill 1322, which has passed both the House and the Senate, is now awaiting the Governor’s signature. The bill allows breweries to sell limited quantities of beer, in cans or bottles, for customers to take home with them. Previously, beer could only be given away on brewery tours. Under the bill, brewpubs will also get expanded regulations that would allow them to sell beer in growlers. If signed by Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, the law will go into effect July 1. [Read full article]

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Shoppers Endorse New Law Legalizing Sunday Sale of Alcohol in Minnesota

People of Minnesota, you can soon buy beer on Sundays! Last week, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill ending the ban of Sunday alcohol sales. The ban will officially end July 2 (basically, just in time for Game of Thrones so no one has to watch sober as their favorite characters die off). Under the new regulations, liquor stores can open up from 11am to 6pm on Sunday. However, cities can still pass ordinances that keep the ban in place. Many citizens in the Land of 10,000 Lakes are just excited for the possibility of convenience. Gov. Dayton said in a statement,“This new law reflects the desires of most people in Minnesota, who have made it clear to their legislators that they want to have this additional option.”  [Read full article]

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Guinness, Local Breweries Try New Approach on Beer Bill in Maryland

In another continued story, Guinness is now teaming up with local Maryland brewers to increase the cap on beer sold in taprooms at production breweries. As reported previously, Guinness and parent company Diageo were lobbying for this cause, but they didn’t exactly care whether or not all breweries benefitted from the law change. After a change of heart, the two groups are now working together. “It’s a response to testimony last week that the breweries support our bill but want it to be statewide,” said Dwayne Kratt, Diageo’s senior director of state government affairs. The Brewers Association of Maryland and Diageo drafted legislation for the increased cap that was introduced to the General Assembly last Monday. The bill must pass the Senate’s Rules Committee before moving on to public hearing. [Read full article]

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