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Oregon puts the kibosh on homebrew at the state fair and anywhere other than where it was brewed

Makes you wonder if Montana is next. Silly, old, antiquated laws like the one that apparently did in Oregon’s homebrewers recently are a waste of time and money. Read all about it in this AP report. The inclusion of prohibition-era laws in our modern world is a travesty that will cost states like Oregon and [...]

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Newly introduced legislation could help small brewers expand and hire more staff

One might be tempted to think that the profit for a craft brewer in a pint of beer would allow them to live luxurious lifestyles where they can hire as many people as they want and travel to exotic locations to make wonderful beer with other brewers. Watch any of Stone Brewing Company’s videos, and [...]

Join the governor and the Montana Brewers Association in celebrating American Craft Beer Week

I’ve always wanted to sit down and have a pint with the governor. I hear he serves Montana craft beer up at the Governor’s Mansion for guests, which is a good thing. And I would love to see him support the industry with some much-needed law reforms. But for now, I’d just like to sit [...]

The first of the big beers are rolling in

Tomorrow is the day. Montanans will legally be able to purchase beer up to 14 percent alcohol by volume. Now, the question remains: Who is bringin’ the big beers? The folks at Bitteroot Brewing answered first, so here’s what’s coming up on tap Up The Root. With the passing of house bill 400, which goes [...]

High-octane beer coming to Montana

Most people didn’t outright celebrate the passage of HB 400 this past summer. After all, October 1 was a long way off. But here we are on the cusp of one of the biggest changes in Montana beer law in more than 80 years. On Oct. 1, Montana brewers will be allowed to sell beer [...]

Want to support Montana Craft Breweries?

Many people write me in support of craft breweries. They want to contact a state senator or representative about the oppressive brewery laws here in Montana. And while contacting your various politicians might make you feel good, it’s but a drop-in-the-old-pint-glass compared to some other options. And here’s one I think you’re going to like [...]

Breaking News: Not really, but HB400 now is law

Sorry for the delay in letting you all know that Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer signed HB 400 into law on April 9. That means that on October 1, Montana will join other states without ridiculously low ABV limits on beer. Some brewers, like Kettlehouse Brewing Co. in Missoula, are already brewing up their batches of [...]

HB 400 Update

For all of you high-gravity beer lovers out there, there is news about HB400 as it collects dust before a probable early March hearing and then an appearance in the senate. Brian Smith, of Blackfoot River Brewing Co., has some intimate knowledge of legislative activities from years of working in the leg. Who better to [...]

Breaking Beer News: Legislating Stong Beer

This just in from Bjorn Nabozney at Big Sky Brewing Co.: House Bill 400 has passed out of committee on a 14-4 vote, and will be hitting the house floor later on this week or early next week.  So, we are one third of the way to being able to legally brew and sell stronger [...]