Michigan merchants who carry an SDD license can sell beer in growlers under SB 973.

The Associated Food and Petroleum Dealers (AFPD) applauded the Michigan House passing Senate Bill 973 late yesterday on Dec. 14.

SB 973, introduced by Sen. Dave Hildenbrand (R) on May 18, 2016, allows merchants licensed to sell package liquor for consumption off-premises, to refill clearly labeled “growlers” (sealable containers of up to one gallon) with beer for consumption off-premises.

Merchants who carry an SDD license will now be able to sell beer in growlers. “We asked Senator Hildenbrand to introduce this legislation and have been working on getting this legislation adopted for several years,” said Auday Arabo, AFPD president and CEO of AFPD. “Anybody with an SDD license, that wants to fill and sell growlers now can, similar to how it is done in bars and restaurants.”

“Senator Hildenbrand was a strong advocate on our behalf. He understood that it was only fair to allow off-premised retailers the same ability on-premised retailers have when it comes to filling and selling growlers,” said Dan Papineau, AFPD director of government relations. “The passage of this legislation will provide a new opportunity for retailers to sell unique, hard to find craft beers.”

As the “Voice for the food, beverage and petroleum industry” since 1910, AFPD is a multi-state trade association representing thousands of retailers operating in Michigan and surrounding states.