Baucus Leads Effort to Support Montana’s Small Brewers

Posted On June 20, 2011

Senator Creates Senate’s Bipartisan Small Brewers Caucus

(Washington, D.C.) – Montana’s senior U.S. Senator, Max Baucus, announced the creation of his Bipartisan Small Brewers Caucus, which he will co-chair with Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID). Baucus created the caucus as a forum to stand up for issues important to small brewers and examine the role of these small businesses in main street economies across Montana and around the country.

“Montana’s small brewers don’t just make great beer out of the best Montana grains– they also support good-paying Montana jobs,” said Baucus. “I’m so proud to create the Bipartisan Small Brewers Caucus– because as the state with the second highest number of craft brewers per capita in the country, Montana small brewers need a voice in Congress who’ll keep looking out for them.”

“Montana brewers are main street businesses, producing quality beers, adding value using Montana grain, paying living wages to their employees, and growing their businesses,” said Tony Herbert, Executive Director of the Montana Brewers Association. “Montana craft beer production was up 10% in 2010 as craft beer enthusiasm grows throughout the state. The 28 Montana brewers and the Montana Brewers Association sincerely appreciate Senator Baucus’ leadership in bringing greater focus to craft brewery issues nationally, though the creation of the Senate Small Brewers Caucus.”

“Small craft brewers are growing, creating jobs and contributing in small and big ways to the recovery of the American economy,” said Charlie Papazian, President of the National Brewers Association. “Under the leadership of Senator Baucus, the bipartisan Senate Small Brewers Caucus reflects the collaborative, grassroots community spirit in which the nation’s small brewers contribute to their local communities.”

Montana has the second-highest number of small breweries per capita in the nation, with 28 registered breweries. Small brewers use over 5.6 million pounds of malted grain, approximately half of which is grown in Montana. They employ more than 250 Montanans.

Facts about the Montana brewing industry:

• Small brewers utilize over 5000 retailers, and sell their products in 24 states.
• Small brewers manufacture and package over 88,000 barrels (2,728,000 gallons) of fine handcrafted beer in pints, bottles, cans, and kegs each year.
• Small brewers experienced an 10% growth in barrels of beer produced in 2010, and had sales over $24,000,000.

Read the Brewers Association’s press release here