Why Minnesota Distilleries Can't Sell Spirits At The State Fair

The Minnesota State Fair is getting ready for its annual run, but once again this year, did you know that it's still illegal in 2026 for these Minnesota businesses to sell their products at the Fair?

The Great Minnesota Get-Together is one of the greatest state fairs in the country. In fact, it was just named THE best fair in the U.S. again by yet another national publication. But thanks to some archaic laws that are still on the books here in Minnesota, there are several vendors who still cannot legally sell you their products at the Fair.

Wait, what? How is that possible, you ask? I mean, there are a TON of different vendors operating booths at the Fair this year. The Minnesota State Fair fact sheet says nearly 500 foods are available at 300 food concession stands. Hoo boy!

Minnesota State Fair Has Nearly 500 Foods, But Some Businesses Still Can’t Sell

If you're so inclined, you can buy deep-fried candy bars, hot dish, spaghetti and meatballs, key lime pie, walleye, Pronto Pups, pork chops and more, all on a stick. They're just a handful of the 80+ foods on a stick available throughout the fairgrounds, the Fair says.

Meanwhile, there are also some great beverages for you to enjoy to keep that whistle wet while you're at the Fair. I'm a big fan of all of Minnesota's craft breweries, distilleries, wineries, and cideries. These small businesses (though some of the breweries are pretty big these days) all work tirelessly to come up with fantastic new brews, spirits, wines, and ciders for Minnesotans to enjoy.

Why Minnesota Distilleries Still Can’t Sell Alcohol at the State Fair

But just not at the State Fair. At least for Minnesota's distilleries, that is. While Minnesota craft brewers and wineries are now allowed to sell their products at the State Fair, Minnesota distilleries are still outside looking in.

Here's more, courtesy of the Minnesota House Research Department:

The State Fair is allowed to license the service of wine and beer for consumption on the State Fairgrounds. It cannot license the service of any other type of alcohol.

Outdated Minnesota Alcohol Laws Keep Distilleries Out of the State Fair

Again, you can blame Minnesota's strange, outdated laws on alcohol. While the 'ol Minnesota favorite, '3.2 beer,' had always been available at the Fair, it wasn't until the law changed in 2007 that allowed craft breweries to sell stronger brews at the Fair. Wine became legal at the Fair in 2003.

But how about an Old Fashioned featuring some Minnesota-distilled whiskey or brandy while you're at the Fair? Not so much. Even though many Minnesota distilleries now offer some incredible pre-mixed cocktails that contain roughly the same percentage of alcohol by volume as some craft beers, it's still not legal for them to sell them (or for you to drink them) at the State Fair.

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Why do Minnesota's alcohol laws remain so archaic and outdated? And why haven't they been changed to help out these hard-working distilleries?

Of course, the Minnesota Distillers Guild, the industry group that represents Minnesota's 26 producers of craft spirits, will no doubt be back at the Fair this year, hopefully selling their Microdistillery Passports, like they did last year. But wouldn't it be great to be able to sip on one of their fine spirits while at the Fair, too?

Keep scrolling to check it out, as well as to take a look at all the new foods making their debut at the State Fair this year.