The Univ. of Minnesota “will sell beer and wine -- but no hard liquor -- to football fans at Gopher home games,” according to Asha Anchan of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. The school’s Board of Regents yesterday voted 11-1 “to approve a resolution to allow ‘beer or beer and wine sales’ in the premium-seating section of TCF Bank Stadium and in a single ‘beer garden’ during Gopher games.” Fans “will be able to bring beer to their seats.” UM Regent Dean Johnson said, “Enforcement is going to be key.” He added he worries that with a single point of sale could lead to “some long lines.” He predicted that over time, the university “might need to open up beer sales to all concessions” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/12). In St. Paul, Josie Clarey reports beer will be sold “one hour before kickoff until the end of halftime.” Fans will be able to buy “only two beers at a time.” Implementation of the new policy, which is expected to bring in $1.5-2.0M in revenue, “will begin with the fall football season.” UM President Eric Kaler said that the "plan remains 'a pilot program and an ongoing process,' and one that will be monitored and studied." UM will be the “only Big Ten school to sell alcohol in general seating, not just in premium seats.” Clarey notes in addition “to a physical and visual barrier between the west-end plaza and the Veterans Memorial and Tribal Nations Plaza outside the gates, security personnel will be increased and a designated-driver program will be available.” Beer sales also will be “opened to premium seating for games in the university's hockey and basketball arenas” (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 7/12).
