Minneapolis parks only allow 3.2 beer in cans

Bitter Brewer should count. You can debate ABV vs. ABW with them if they give you any guff about it.

 

3.2 Summit E.P.A. used to be available (and I love it for washing-down all you can eat tacos at "Sporty's." )

There really isn't much in the way of 3.2% Craft Beer, unfortunately.

 

I bet you get more gruff for glass bottles vs the ABV of the beer. If you had a Ten Fidy next to a glass bottle MGD, I bet they'd be more pissed about the glass than the Fidy.

Maybe just get beer that doesnt have the ABV printed on it? Unless its a beer geek cop that knows off hand, i doubt they're going to look up the beer and call you on it. But I have never had a party in a MPLS park...

 

Boulevard used to (and perhaps still does) sell 3.2% versions of some of their beers for sale on the Kansas side of State Line Road. Although I've never seen any Boulevard when I quickly walk through the "beer aisle" at my local Rainbow.

 

I played softball in minneapolis parks for 10+ years. We only got checked once and we never drank 3.2. and when we got checked, we were just asked to put it away, no tickets issued.

YMMV

 

The 3 K's:
Koozies
Kans
Keep it under control

If you and the family can keep things under control and don't make it an issue to where someone has to come check on you, I'd be surprised you get to the stage where someone's analyzing the alcohol content.

The completely safe route: buy from Cub or Rainbow and keep a copy of the ordinance wording in hand in case someone tries to bust you for having beer in the parks.

 

Call around to some of your favorite liquor stores and ask for some sub 4% beer suggestions. I'm not sure of the exact ABW to ABV calculation, but 4% would be safe.

 

Hmm, for some reason I thought this rule changed. I know the Mpls municipal golf courses used to only sell 3.2 beer, but now they sell everything from Surly products to booze. I do know it's not the park selling the alcohol and it's Prom Catering or something, but people are still drinking in "Mpls public parks."

 

Crap, now you made me go look up the actual rule:

https://library.municode.com/HTML/1...EREGOCO.html#PAREBOCOOR_CH2GEREGOCO_.2-17ALUS

"Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Section 17 - Alcohol Use"

TL;DR = No booze or beer unless you've got a permit.

 

Sorry man, I guess I haven't drank in the public parks aside from my crappy golf league and thankfully it seems this Prom Catering got a license...

 

If the event is a large enough one and you've already reserved a space in park, I'd think that about half of your possible concerns are covered: the park police with whom I've interacted in the past have been downright friendly when they see a reservation has been made and the event is well looked-after ('kept in control', as has been suggested.)

It's not in Minneapolis, but a friend of mine regularly hosts a small (fewer than fifteen people) get together at the Como Park fire pits in St. Paul, and there's never been a problem. Likewise, with 15 or so people gathered around a fire just before and after dusk, 3.2 beer has never been a concern for us. We've probably just been very lucky.

But seeing the Minneapolis Park Board Ordinance (PB2-17) as linked and listed above, this might be of benefit to you of others:

Sounds like a bunch of hoops to jump-through. Hope you're in good shape.

It might still benefit you to look into beer available in the approved 3.2 range. Several brands brewed in Minnesota are in that range, including Deer Brand, Grain Belt Premium, and Grain Belt Premium Light -- all of which have been available in cans in the past (but will take time to order from any local retailer.)

Good luck!

 

South Lyndale carries Grain Belt in cans

 

Sierra Nevada Old Chico Session IPA is 4.0% ABV = approx. 3.2% ABW. Winner.

Better yet, Schell's Star of the North series (you better love your friends!) is well under 4% ABV !