News
Senator Baucus Highlight Montana Brewers in Economic Engine Initiative
Posted On November 23, 2011
Senator’s Economic Engine Initiative Highlights Montana’s Job Creators
Posted: Thursday, November 17, 2011
(Washington, D.C.) – Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus announced his latest “Montana Jobs Economic Engine” today highlighting the state’s 29 small breweries for providing more than 250 jobs and supporting the state’s grain industry.
“Montana’s small brewers are a growing and vibrant part of our state’s economy. They are expanding and hiring new workers while making great beer out of Montana’s world-class grains. I’m proud to recognize their hard work and innovation and will keep working to make sure our small businesses have the tools they need to succeed and hire more folks,” Baucus said.
Tony Herbert, Executive Director of the Montana Brewers Association, says the state’s breweries are poised for tremendous growth.
“Montana’s 29 breweries are fine examples of small businesses making a difference in our state. As main street businesses Montana breweries are positive additions to the local culture and the economy, and they make great beer recognized throughout the country. Montana made beer is one of our best value-added products, often using grain grown right here in the state and served in establishments statewide. We are number two in the nation in terms of breweries per capita, just behind Vermont. It won’t be long and we will be number one,” Herbert said. “Our thanks go out to Max for recognizing the hard work and contributions of Montana’s small breweries.”
“Montana grain producers plant more acres of barley than any other state in the nation and the majority of the malt used by our small breweries is processed right here in Montana from locally grown barley. Agriculture is Montana’s number one industry and our barley growers are proud to provide a high quality locally grown product for these important value added businesses that help drive Montana’s economy.” said Lola Raska, Montana Grain Growers Executive Vice President. “I’m pleased to see Senator Baucus working to raise awareness about how these industries can best work together to support jobs.”
Baucus’ Montana Jobs Economic Engine Initiative aims to elevate the profile of businesses creating jobs at a time when Montana needs it most. To build upon the economic contributions of small brewers in the state, Baucus launched his Bipartisan Small Brewers Caucus which he co-chairs with Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID). Montana has the second-highest number of small breweries per capita in the nation, with 29 breweries and several more in the process of registration. 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.
Baucus highlighted the following Montana breweries as part of his Montana Jobs Economic Engine Initiative:
1. Angry Hanks Brewing, Billings
2. Bayern Brewing, Missoula
3. Beaver Creek Brewery, Wibaux
4. Big Sky Brewing, Missoula
5. Bitter Root Brewing, Hamilton
6. Blackfoot River Brewing, Helena
7. Blacksmith Brewing, Stevensville
8. Bozeman Brewing Company, Bozeman
9. Bowser Brewing Company, Great Falls
10. Carter’s Brewing, Billings
11. Fat Jack’s Tap Room, Laurel
12. Flathead Lake Brewing, Woods Bay
13. Glacier Brewing, Polson
14. Great Northern Brewing, Whitefish
15. Himmelberger Brewing, Billings
16. Harvest Moon, Belt
17. Kettle House Brewing, Missoula
18. Lewis & Clark Brewing, Helena
19. Lone Peak Brewing, Big Sky
20. Madison River Brewing, Belgrade
21. Missouri Breaks Brewing, Wolf Point
22. Montana Brewing Company, Billings
23. Neptune’s Brewery, Livingston
24. Quarry Brewing, Butte
25. Red Lodge Ales, Red Lodge
26. Tamarack Brewing, Lakeside
27. Yellowstone Valley Brewing, Billings
28. 406 Brewing Company, Bozeman
29. Draught Works, Missoula
About Baucus’ Montana Jobs Economic Engine Initiative
The effort builds upon his ongoing legislative work to support Montana’s businesses along with his Montana Economic Development Summits that have resulted in key connections for Montana businesses such as attracting investors and new business partnerships that have directly led to new Montana jobs.
Previous companies highlighted by Baucus include:
- Columbia Falls-based Nomad Global Communications Solutions, which has grown its workforce by more than 300 percent in the last year and a half.
- Stinger Welding in Libby which has hired 40 people in the last two months and is currently accepting applications to fill another 50 positions immediately.
- Big Equipment Company in Havre which has grown its workforce by almost 40 percent since 2009.
- Ticketprinting.com which has brought seven full time jobs and 18 part time jobs to Harlowton since 2007. In that time, the company has also hired workers in Lewistown, Livingston and Bozeman, expanded to Australia and the UK, and grown revenues by 168%.
- Torgerson’s family-owned farm implement dealer in Ethridge which employs 120 people statewide and is currently hiring.
- SRS Crisafulli, a Glendive manufacturing company that exports Montana-fabricated pumps, dredges and power units to 29 countries and is currently hiring.
- Wheat Montana, a Three Forks-based family owned and operated company that farms, mills and sells its grains through wholesale, retail and its delis. They currently employ 165 people in the state and are currently hiring.
Contact: Kate Downen 406-224-5056/Kathy Weber 406-329-7980/Jennifer Donohue 202-224-2651
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Baucus Congratulates Montana Award-Winning Breweries
Posted On October 18, 2011
Senator’s Small Brewers Caucus Highlights Economic Impact of Local Breweries
(Washington, D.C.) – Montana’s senior U.S. Senator and co-chair of the Bipartisan Small Brewers Caucus, Max Baucus congratulated three Montana breweries for landing top awards at the 30th Annual Great American Beer Festival last weekend.
- Carter’s Brewing in Billings won a Silver medal in the American-Style Black Ale Category for its Blackened CDA.
- Kettlehouse Brewing Company in Missoula won a Bronze medal in the Gluten-Free Beer category for its Seeley Axe White beer.
- Montana Brewing Company in Billings won a Silver Medal in the Baltic-Style Porter category for its White Eagle Baltic Porter.
“These highly coveted awards show Montana’s small brewers mean business. I applaud Carter’s, Kettlehouse and Montana Brewing Company for representing our state so well at this national competition. Montana’s small brewers support good-paying jobs and these awards will help draw even more attention to this important business in our state,” said Baucus.
526 breweries representing 48 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico entered the 2011 competition. Awards from the professional judge panel at the festival are recognized around the world as symbols of brewing excellence.
Baucus led the formation of the Bipartisan Small Brewers Caucus to highlight the economic impact of small brewers in Montana.
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 10% growth in barrels of beer produced in 2010, and had sales over $24,000,000.
For a full list of award winners from last weekend’s Great American Beer Festival click HERE.
Contact: Kate Downen 406-224-5056/Jenny Donohue 202-224-2651/Kathy Weber 406-329-3123
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2011 Montana Brewers Festival: A Showcase of Quality, Variety
Posted On September 16, 2011
Republished from Growler Fills
Quality and variety were on display Friday evening as craft beer lovers by the hundreds took turns talking to brewers and fellow fans while taking in some of the 70+ Montana brewed beers at the 2011 Montana Brewer’s Festival. It was a beautiful sunny evening in Bozeman and the only troubling aspect was figuring out where to start. (More pictures here.)
IPAs initially appeared to dominate the offerings, but a closer look revealed widely ranging styles from light lagers to Belgians and saisons, to Russian imperial stouts. There was certainly something for everyone and judging by the excitement and buzz of the crowd, there was a lot of love for our Montana brewers.
We made a point of trying brews we’ve never had before along with breweries that are a bit out of the way from Missoula. That means beer from Wibaux and Wolfpoint, for example, and I know what you’re thinking. They brew beer in Wibaux and Wolfpoint? Yes, they do, and the stuff from Beaver Creek and Missouri Breaks is darn good, too. We particularly enjoyed Beaver Creek’s Paddlefish Stout and Missouri Break’s Rattlesnake IPA.
Others that stood out were Carter’s Hop Delivery Vehicle IPA and Faux Pas Belgian Style Stout. We heard some buzz about Bozone’s Barrel Aged Raspberry Russian Imperial Stout, but couldn’t find the stout behind all the raspberry aroma and flavor. On the other hand, Bozone’s Hopsimellia Imperial IPA and its 100+ ibus/10.8% abv was crazy good, combining a complex citrus/pine bitter bite with a rich, yeasty malt serving tray. Blackfoot River’ 2010 Brewer’s Reserve Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine is one I wish I’d had the chance to sit back and sip for an extended period. The vanilla and bourbon flavors provided an excellent compliment to the barleywine, avoiding the overwhelming dominance too common of barrel aged beers.
There were several we didn’t have a chance to try, some because they ran out and some simply due to lack of personal capacity. Neptune’s Imperial Brown Ale is one I missed, but I did rather enjoy their chocolate cream porter. We took our time and practiced pacing, stopping for water and slices of pizza and the chance to talk with a few of the brewers. We enjoyed visiting with some Growler Fills fans and made a few new ones, too. The music played on as we called it a night and vowed to return to the next Festival. To see a collection of pictures from the event, check out our 2011 Montana Brewers Festival set here.
When the morning hunger and thirst hits you in Bozeman, head over to the Cateye Cafe for some awesome breakfast and Wild Joe’s for some of the best coffee anywhere.
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