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Michigan lawmakers busy making it OK for people to buy beer at Winter Classic

Big Chill - Michigan State v Michigan

ANN ARBOR, MI - DECEMBER 11: Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan on December 11, 2010 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Leon Halip

What would an outdoor hockey game be without beer? In the case of the 2013 NHL Winter Classic at the University of Michigan, it would be…canceled.

For this reason, legislation has been introduced in the state House that would grant a special liquor license for the Jan. 1 game at Michigan Stadium between the Red Wings and Maple Leafs.

From The Detroit News:

The House Regulatory Reform Committee will hold a hearing Wednesday morning on the legislation, which school officials say is necessary because they don’t have a temporary liquor license large enough to handle the number of fans expected to pack the 109,901-seat stadium.

“It’s just for this one event and it’s because the NHL is renting the facility,” school spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said.

The proposed law would make the special liquor license good for 30 days to also accommodate festivities leading up to the Winter Classic, Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald expects the bill to be approved, according to AnnArbor.com.