INFORMATION #1 04-17-2006
City of Elk River
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Agenda Section Meeting Date
Item Number
Information
Item Description
3.2 Percent Malt Li uor
Prepared by
oan Schmidt, Ci Clerk
Reviewed by
At the meeting of April 10, 2006, the council questioned the sale of wine coolers when issuing an on-sale
3.2 percent malt liquor license.
The difference in malts and wines is that malt is a grain that has been allowed to sprout, used chiefly in
brewing and distilling. Wine starts with a fruit. When you start with malt and ferment it you get an
alcoholic beverage which is a malt beverage. Some malt based products to name a few are: Seagram's
Passion Punch and other flavors (which looks similar to a wine cooler), Bacardi Breezer, Bacardi Silver,
Smirnoff Ice, and Zima.
Any fruit allowed to ferment creates an alcoholic beverage which is defined as a wine. A wine license can
only be issued to a restaurant. The definition of a restaurant is an establishment that seats at least 25
persons and where food is prepared and served to the general public. A limited food license does not
count.
I hope this answers any questions the council may have. Kandi Nash, Pinewood Clubhouse Coordinator,
is aware of this information.
Council Action
Motion by _
Second by _
Vote
Follow Up
S:\Council\Joan\Liquor\info re 3.2malt.doc