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It's been around for nearly a decade, but one Minnesota magazine says its August 2020 issue will be the last issue it publishes.

Chalk up another victim to the economic downturn caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Growler magazine says its current August 2020 issue will be its last-- for now, at least.

The Growler was a magazine all about Minnesota's flourishing, incredible craft beer scene. It was founded by Matt Kenevan in St. Paul back in 2012-- just a year after the Minnesota legislature changed the law here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes that would allow craft breweries to sell beer in their own taprooms.

That change, of course, helped all the amazing craft breweries spring up around the state, including the incredible taprooms we have here in Rochester (shout-out to Kinney Creek, LTS Brewing, Forager Brewing, Grand Rounds-- now South x Southeast Brewing, Little Thistle Brewing and Thesis Beer Project!)

But the while the craft beer scene has been booming, the screeching halt our Stay-At-Home order had on bars and restaurants has made it just too tough for The Growler to continue. They announced the sad news that they were ceasing publication with the August issue earlier this week, saying:

"Unfortunately, a pandemic was a direct hit to the food and beverage industry, which we heavily rely on for advertising in order to pay to produce our free publication. Moreover, going without a year’s worth of festivals to support the magazine compromises the publication’s sustainability into future years. Expenses are ongoing, but our income is not," The Growler noted on their site.

Being a big craft beer fan, I'm going to miss The Growler and the high-quality work they put out as they continued to highlight all the great craft beer breweries, taprooms, restaurants and bars here in Minnesota. Here's hoping that when things get better, perhaps they'll be able to make a comeback. I'll hoist a pint in their honor this weekend!

Listen to Curt St. John from 6 to 10 a.m. on Quick Country 96.5
and from 2 to 6 p.m. on 103.9 The Doc

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