Minnesota Statutes

Minn. Stat. § 325B.01 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of May 2026

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Subdivision 1.Scope.

As used in sections 325B.01 to 325B.17 and unless otherwise required by the context, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them.

Subd. 2.Agreement.

"Agreement" means one or more of the following:

(a) a commercial relationship between a beer wholesaler and a brewer of a definite or indefinite duration, which is not required to be evidenced in writing;

(b) a relationship whereby the beer wholesaler is granted the right to offer and sell a brand or brands of beer offered by a brewer;

(c) a relationship whereby the beer wholesaler, as an independent business, constitutes a component of a brewer's distribution system;

(d) a relationship whereby the beer wholesaler's business is substantially associated with a brewer's brand or brands, designating the brewer;

(e) a relationship whereby the beer wholesaler's business is substantially reliant on a brewer for the continued supply of beer;

(f) a written or oral arrangement for a definite or indefinite period whereby a brewer grants to a beer wholesaler a license to use a brand, trade name, trademark, or service mark, and in which there is a community of interest in the marketing of goods or services at wholesale or retail.

Subd. 3.Beer wholesaler.

"Beer wholesaler" shall mean any person importing or causing to be imported into this state or purchasing or causing to be purchased within this state, any beer for sale or resale to retailers or wholesalers, without regard to whether the business of the person is conducted under the terms of an agreement with a brewer.

Subd. 4.Brewer.

"Brewer" means every brewer or importer of beer located within or without the state of Minnesota, who enters into an "agreement" with any beer wholesaler doing business in the state of Minnesota.

Subd. 5.Person.

"Person" means a natural person, corporation, partnership, trust, agency, or other entity as well as the individual officers, directors or other persons in active control of the activities of each such entity. Person also includes heirs, assigns, personal representatives and guardians.

Subd. 6.Successor.

"Successor" means a person who replaces a brewer, importer, or wholesaler with regard to the right to manufacture, sell, distribute, or import a brand or brands of beer.

Subd. 7.Territory.

"Territory" or "sales territory" means the area of primary sales responsibility designated by any agreement between any beer wholesaler and brewer for the brand or brands of any brewer.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 6 cases, 1986–2000 · leading case: Jacobsen v. Anheuser-Busch, Inc., 392 N.W.2d 868 (Minn. 1986).

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Jacobsen v. Anheuser-Busch, Inc., 392 N.W.2d 868 (Minn. 1986). · cites it 18× “The question is: Does the Minnesota Beer Brewers and Wholesalers Act, Minn. Stat. §§ 325B.01, et seq., applied retroactively to a preexisting agreement between a brewer and a wholesaler as mandated by Minn.”

Guinness Imp. Co. v. Mark Vii Distributors, Inc., Third-Party v. Desnoes & Geddes, Ltd., Third-Party, 153 F.3d 607 (3rd Cir. 1998). · cites it 7× “Minn.Stat. Ann. § 325B.01, subd. 1 (West 1995).”

Guinness Imp. Co. v. Mark VII Distributors, Inc., 971 F. Supp. 401 (D. Minnesota 1997). · cites it 16× “” Minn.Stat. § 325B.01, subd. 4. Guinness asserts that it is not liable under the Beer Brewers and Wholesalers Act because, although Guinness concedes that it is a “brewer” to the extent that it is licensed to import beer into Minnesota pursuant to the requirements under…”

R.A., Inc. v. Anheuser-Busch, Inc., 556 N.W.2d 567 (Minn. Ct. App. 1996). · cites it 3× “Minn.Stat. § 325B.01, subd. 3 (1994). A “person” is a natural person, corporation, partnership, trust, agency, or other entity as well as the individual officers, directors, or other persons in active control of the activities of each such entity.”

Arneson Distrib. Co. v. Miller Brewing Co., 117 F. Supp. 2d 905 (D. Minnesota 2000). · cites it 4× “Pursuant to the Beer Brewers and Wholesalers Act, Minn.Stat. § 325B.01, et seq., Miller may not terminate the Plaintiffs’ distribution rights for the Plaintiffs’ refusal to sign the Miller Distribution Agreement.”

Guinness Imp. Co. v. Mark VII (8th Cir. 1998). · cites it 6× “In a trilogy of cases, the Supreme Court established that the Rule 56 motion should 3 Minn. Stat. Ann. §§ 325B.01 to 325B.17 (1995).”

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