(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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