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ST PAUL, Minn. — For years, the fight to sell stronger beer in Minnesota convenience stores has constantly met defeat. However, a new bill at the Capitol aims to revolutionize the existing law.

As it stands, majority of alcoholic beverages are only sold in liquor stores — only a type of beer known as “three-two beer,” orbeer containing just 3.2% alcohol by weight or 4% by volume, is permitted in other outlets such as grocery and convenience stores.

Minnesota remains as the final state with a three-two law, a law supporters deem as outdated. They believe the bill would afford consumers more choices. On the other hand, critics maintain that people do not have trouble acquiring alcohol and this change will ultimately harm small businesses.

“The amendment, in certain ways, is quite basic,” delineated Bruce Nustad, president of the Minnesota Retailers Association. “We just want to see a touch more clarity, convenience and options for consumers and beer producers.”

Nustad’s group, which represents around 1,200 stores, advocates that it’s high time to update a law, deemed as a relic of prohibition, which confines the sale of alcoholic beverages solely to liquor stores.

The bill underwent its initial scrutiny on Tuesday within the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection committee, which governs liquor laws. Senate Commerce Committee Chairperson, Matt Klein, contended that the public craves high-quality, local beers that are already available for sale at community baseball matches and, from 2017 onwards, seven days a week.

Opinion contradicts, however, as Jennifer Schoenzeit, the proprietor of Zipps Liquor in Minneapolis, argued, “In essence, this bill hinders the small-scale operators, creating an unequal competitive scenario.” She maintains that permitting the sale of alcohol everywhere is an unnecessary move and that approximately 220 grocery and convenience stores already stock and sell strong beers.

Brandt Erwin, representing Minnesota Beer Wholesalers, added that “There’s no research indicating that access to alcohol poses a problem for Minnesota consumers.”

The issue has been presented to the legislature for numerous years — and every time it has gotten stuck. Nustad is optimistic that this year will bring about a change, particularly as the preferences of consumers are continually changing.

“There will inevitably be this shift in Minnesota at some point; we are hoping it comes sooner rather than later,” expressed Nustad.

The grocery and convenience stores that are given permission to sell stronger beer can do so due to a variety of factors, including selling the products in separate areas with individual entrances, and the rule that each store chain can only obtain one license per city.

The proposed bill would also delegate to each city the decision to even offer a license to those stores wanting to diversify their inventory.

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