News
House of Representatives Approves HJ18 62-37 on Second Reading
Posted On April 15, 2013
The Montana House of Representatives approved HJ18, the study resolution of the alcohol code relating to licensing, by a 62-37 vote on second reading. The vote was a strong bi-partisan vote with 32 Republicans and 30 Democrats in favor. Introduced by Rep. Christy Clark (R – Choteau), the study is intended to review issues relating to licensing, with some specific focus on retail licensing by manufacturers (breweries, distilleries and wineries).
Check out the comprehensive results of this vote here, and encourage your local representative to vote yes in third reading on HJ18 tomorrow.
The HJ18 study was introduced by the Montana Brewers Association.Amendments were agreed to with other industry representatives which were adopted previously in the House Business and Labor Committee. HJ18 will have a third reading on Tuesday, and will then proceed to the Senate for a hearing in a committee, presumably the Senate Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs Committee.
As HJ18’s hearing schedule is determined, please keep your eye our for progress updates on the study resolution and specific Senators to contact in support of this much needed resolution.
A huge thanks to all our of patrons and supporters who have taken time to become engaged in this process. Our work here, in many ways, is just beginning, and we appreciate your continued support throughout this process!
Flathead Cruise with Charlie Papazian – August 10
Posted On April 1, 2013
Come join us on August for a special event–A Cruise with Charlie!!!! Charlie Papazian, President of the Brewers Association and the father of home brewing in America, Charlie will cruise Flathead Lake out of Lakeside with members and guests of the Montana Brewers Association. The Far West boat is reserved from 6pm to 9pm, and it will be a unique opportunity to mingle with Charlie and many Montana brewers, enjoy the sites and your fill of Montana made beer paired with outstanding fare, and music by John Floridis.
This Cruise will include plenty of delicious beers from 12 participating breweries, paired with heavy hors d’oeuvres, music by John Floridis, and a beautiful cruise around Flathead Lake. The boat departs at 6pm and returns to the dock at 9pm. Brewers and guest are invited to join together at the Tamarack Brewery located in Lakeside before and after the cruise.
Due to the size of the boat (149 guests) we are able to make only 75 tickets available for sale online in advance at the price of $150 per ticket (limit of 4 tickets per purchase). Buy your tickets right here and come join us for a fun filled night with the Montana brewers and an icon of the brewing world.
(a $5 processing fee will be added per ticket purchased)
The Far West Boat will depart Lakeside promptly at 6pm, so please arrive at least 15 minutes in advance.
Please print your Pay Pal receipt and bring it with you as proof of purchase. Or bring it on your smart phone and save some paper.
We also have reserved some rooms in the area (see below), and will host a shuttle service to and from Lakeside and these hotels.
• Best Western Flathead Lake Inn and Suites – 4824 Highway 93 South – 406-857-2400 – 10 rooms call by July 10 – $189.99/night – Closest to Lakeside – shuttle will be available.
• Kalispell Econo-Lodge – 1680 U.S. 93 Kalispell, Mt 59901 – 406-752-3467 – 30 rooms call by July 10 – $109.99/night – shuttle will be available.
• Kalispell Hilton Garden Inn – 1840 U.S. 93 Kalispell, Mt 59901 – 406-756-4500 – 20 rooms call by July 20 – $159.99/night – shuttle will be available
CHARLIE PAPAZIAN
President, Brewers Association
Charlie Papazian is one of the most prominent and recognized names in the world of beer and brewing. His published commentaries provide insights into the industry, advice to homebrewers, and beer perspectives for beer drinkers. Since founding the American Homebrewers Association and Association of Brewers in 1978, he has helped guide the development of the association. He is currently the President of the Brewers Association, whose activities include:
- The American Homebrewers Association
- World Beer CupÒ
- The Great American Beer FestivalÒ
- Brewers Publications (books)
- www.brewersassociation.org, www.homebrewersassociation.org, www.craftbeer.com.
- Founding publisher and regular contributor of Zymurgy (the magazine for homebrewers) and The New Brewer (the magazine for small, independent craft brewers).
In his worldwide travels, he has been both lecturer and presenter at such prestigious events as: The World Beer and Beverage Forum in Munich, National Press Club, Master Brewers Association of the Americas, American Society of Brewing Chemists, Institute of Brewing Asia-Pacific, BrewTec Tokyo, International Craft Beer Conference Japan, AHA National Conference, National Craft Brewers Conference, Chef des Chef International Trade Show, National Restaurant Association, Pizza Today Exposition, Great American Beer Festival, Nightclub and Bar Expo, Canadean’s International Beer Seminars, Amsterdam, Slow Food’s Salone del Gusto in Italy, BRAU Beviale Germany, Mondial de la Bière in Montreal, Rüdiger Ruoss’ Sommertage Workshops in Berlin, and many other professional and hobbyist events.
He is author of five best-selling books (1,200,000+ copies) published by HarperCollins Books: Microbrewed Adventures (2005), The Complete Joy of Home Brewing, 3rd Edition (2003), The Home Brewer’s Companion (1994), Home Brewer’s Gold (1997), The Best of Zymurgy (1998), and The Interactive New Complete Joy of Home Brewing CD-ROM. He is the National Beer Examiner for www.Examiner.com
He is founder of National Pie Day.
Member: Master Brewer Association of the Americas, American Society of Brewing Chemists, Institute of Brewing & Distilling, Slow Food International, Juror Slow Food Award, Slow USA, Bier Convent International, Honorary Member Asociación de Cerveceros Artesanales de la República Argentina and Honorary Member Asociación de Cervecerias Artesanales de Chile, New Member of the Class of 2011 Army War College & participant in 2011 National Security Seminars.
Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering, 1972 University of Virginia.
He lives in the Boulder, Colorado area with his wife Sandra and daughter Carla, where he avidly brews lagers, ales, and honey meads. For more information about the Brewers Association see www.brewersassociation.org, www.homebrewersassociation.org, www.craftbeer.com.
Tell the House Business and Labor Committee to VOTE NO on HB616
Posted On April 1, 2013
The House Business and Labor Committee is scheduled to take action on the 60/40 anti-brewery bill on Wednesday. This vote was supposed to have happened last Thursday, but was postponed because the bill didn’t have the votes needed to pass. The MTA has been using this extra time working to try to turn committee members’ votes in support of HB616.
Let the committee members know that they should VOTE NO ON HB616! Tell them that the study resolution, HJ18, that they passed unanimously, will provide the time and dialogue needed to develop the right solutions for everyone.
Tell them that the Department of Revenue’s recent legal opinion indicating that HB616 raises a significant risk of lawsuits in Federal Court is a great example of the many unattended consequences of a last minute bill like HB616, and just one more good reason to VOTE NO ON HB616!
Now that HJ18 has unanimously passed the committee, HB616 makes even less sense (in addition to the bill’s legal issues). Email the committee below, call 444-4800, or leave an online message here
| Tom Berry | [email protected] |
| Carlie Boland | [email protected] |
| Christy Clark | [email protected] |
| Amanda Curtis | [email protected] |
| Steve Fitzpatrick | [email protected] |
| Edward Greef | [email protected] |
| Roger A Hagan | [email protected] |
| Chuck Hunter | [email protected] |
| Mike Lang | [email protected] |
| Jonathan McNive | [email protected] |
| David Moore | [email protected] |
| Daniel Salomon | [email protected] |
| Reilly Neill | [email protected] |
| Rae Peppers | [email protected] |
| Gordon Pierson | [email protected] |
| Scott Reichner | [email protected] |
| Cary Smith | [email protected] |
| Carolyn Squires | [email protected] |
| Tom Steenberg | [email protected] |
| Jeffrey W Welborn | [email protected] |
Montana Brewers Spring Festival Coming to Billings May 31
Posted On March 29, 2013
The Montana Brewers are bringing their wares to Billings for the first time with the Montana Brewers Spring Festival on May 31. To be held at the Downtown Depot, 5pm to 10pm, with 4pm VIP Ticket opportunity, over 20 Montana breweries with over 60 Montana made beer will be on display for your tasting pleasures. The largest collection of Montana-made beer ever gathered in eastern Montana, its one-stop access to unique Montana brewers and their beers. Second in breweries-per-capita, Montana is a strong contestant as one of the greatest brewing states in the country, and is NOW #2 IN THE NATION IN BREWERIES PER CAPITA. Liquid proof of why beer sales far exceed the sales of wine and spirits combined in America. A variety of music will be heard throughout the day and delicious food will be served. So come join us and relax with your friends at this annual marquee celebration of Montana-made beer, at a great venue in Billings.
2013 Montana Brewers Spring Festival
1st Annual Montana Brewers Spring Festival
The Year’s Largest Collection of Montana-Made Craft Beer!
All at one location for one day!
Friday, May 31st, 2013
Billings Depot, Downtown Billings
5pm to 10 pm
Beer Lovers, Food Lovers, Dance Lovers, Fun Lovers and Brewers
At the Montana Brewers Spring Festival in Billings, Montana.
What: The 1st Montana-made beer Spring Festival in Billings will serve over 60 different MONTANA MADE BEERS, in bottomless 9-ounce tasting glass, from over 20 Montana Brewers Association breweries. Committed to bringing Montana Made Beer to all corners of the state, this is the first Montana Brewers Festival to be held in Billings after successfully holding festivals in Bozeman and Missoula.
Beer: 9oz unlimited tasting glass.
Where: Billings Depot, Downtown Billings
When: Friday, May 31st, 2013: 5 pm – 10:00 pm
Price:
5pm Entry $20 in advance – $25 at gate.
4pm VIP Entry $30 in advance – $35 at gate: Early entry at 4pm for the Brewers VIP Hour. Beat the crowd and enjoy the lineup of Montana made beers and meet the brewers. John Floridis, guitar player extraordinaire from Missoula, will be playing at 4pm for VIPs only!
Food: Select local food vendors.
Music: John Floridis – Missoula, MT (4pm to 5pm)
Downtown – Billings, MT (5:30pm to 7:30pm)
Keegan Smith and the Fam – Portland, OR (8pm – 10pm)
Why: The largest collection of Montana-made beer ever gathered in eastern Montana, its one-stop access to unique Montana brewers and their beers. Second in breweries-per-capita, Montana is a strong contestant as one of the greatest brewing states in the country, and is NOW #2 IN THE NATION IN BREWERIES PER CAPITA. Liquid proof of why beer sales far exceed the sales of wine and spirits combined in America. A variety of music will be heard throughout the day and delicious food will be served. So come join us and relax with your friends at this annual marquee celebration of Montana-made beer, at a great venue in Billings.
The Brewers and The Beers: Full Beer Lineup to be coming soon. Stay Tuned.
Sponsors: Sponsorship opportunities available. Please contact Lindsey at [email protected].
Tentative Schedule:
Friday, May 31st 2013
1st Annual Montana Brewers Spring Festival
Billings Depot, Billings
4:00-5pm – VIP Brewers Hour and Brew Crew Card Early Entry and John Floridis
5:00pm Doors open to the public
5:30 – 7:30pm Downtown
8:00– 10:00pm Keegan Smith and the Fam.
10:00pm – Festival Ends
10:30pm – Load Out begins