Minn. Gov't Shutdown Forces MillerCoors to Pull Beer off Shelves

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota's state government shutdown is causing a big problem for brewing giant MillerCoors.

The state has told MillerCoors it needs to pull its products from stores, bars and restaurants statewide because of a licensing problem caused by the shutdown.

Department of Public Safety spokesman Doug Neville said Wednesday that MillerCoors' "brand label registrations" with the state have expired. The employees who process renewals were laid off when state government shut down July 1 in a budget dispute.

Neville says Chicago-based MillerCoors LLC has been told to come up with a plan for pulling its products in a few days.

MillerCoors officials didn't immediately return messages from The Associated Press Wednesday, but told KSTP-TV they will fight the order.