Minnesota bar busted for selling Wisconsin beer

Published 9:48 am Tuesday, April 21, 2015

MAPLE GROVE — A Minnesota bar near the Wisconsin border is accused of selling a popular Wisconsin beer, even though it’s not licensed to do so.

The sale of Spotted Cow made by a New Glarus, Wisconsin, brewer in Minnesota is a felony criminal offense.

A search warrant filed in Hennepin County said an employee of Maple Tavern in the Twin Cities suburb of Maple Grove made beer runs to a liquor store in Hudson, Wisconsin, to buy some Spotted Cow. According to a press release, investigators went to the tavern and ordered a glass of Spotted Cow beer, then busted the bar.

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Neither the tavern nor the bar’s manager are licensed to transport alcohol to Minnesota. Another manager, Brandon Hlavka, said it was a mistake to bring the beer to Maple Tavern, but it was with the best of intentions.