St. Paul to relax taproom zoning rules for small breweries

The St. Paul City Council passed a resolution Wednesday night that will allow smaller breweries in commercial areas to eventually sell their beer on-site, Minnesota Public Radio reports.

"We have been approached by several craft breweries that are interested in taprooms and have been unable to help them find a place to locate," said council member Amy Brendmoen. "One of the problems that they've pointed to is how cumbersome our rule process is."

Minnesota legalized taprooms in May 2011 with the so-called "Surly bill," which allows breweries to sell pints of their beer on-site. However, a city ordinance limited the establishments to industrial areas.

Meanwhile, the owners of 612Brew have finished converting a former paper warehouse in northeast Minneapolis, WCCO reports. An anxious crowd of thirsty craft beer drinkers got a taste of the new brewery and taproom Wednesday night.

The historic building is part of a mixed-use development project called The Broadway. Once it's complete, MinnPost says 612Brew will feature an outdoor amphitheater and rain garden.