5 ways Wisconsin’s new alcohol laws could affect you

The owners and patrons of Wisconsin bars, breweries, wineries, wedding barns and other businesses where alcohol is consumed can expect to see some changes due to a sweeping law signed into law earlier this month.

Supporters of the new law, which Democratic Gov. Tony Evers signed on Dec. 6, say most of the changes will be largely unnoticed by consumers, though some business groups, including those representing wedding barns, have raised concern that the new law could drastically harm their businesses.

Breweries
Under the new changes, brewers can now sell out-of-state beers, marking a change from previous law, which only allowed those businesses to sell their own product and other Wisconsin-made brews.

What's more, brewers can now own retail locations not located at their brewery. Previously, brewers could only sell alcohol at retail locations on the same site as a tap room or brewery.

Wineries
The new law allows wineries to stay open as late as bars, meaning they can now open as early as 6 a.m. and don't have to close until 2 a.m. on weekdays and 2:30 a.m. on weekends. Previously, wineries could only operate between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.

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