Montana’s brewers ask for public’s help

Support Your Local BreweryThe Montana Brewers Association has requested that beer enthusiasts take action to support legislation shifting tap room hours at breweries.

The association provided the following information:

The hearing for SB202 to shift the Tap Room Hours is scheduled for Thursday (Feb. 17) in the Senate Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs Committee
.

We need your help. Please contact committee members now and ask them to support SB 202.
 The committee members are:



Chair: Joe Balyeat (R-Bozeman) 

Vice Chair: Verdell Jackson (R-Kalispell)


Carmine Mowbray (R-Polson)
Tom Facey (D-Missoula)

Eric Moore (R-Miles City)

Donald Steinbeisser (R-Sidney)

Sharon Stewart-Peregoy (D-Crow Agency)

Mitch Tropila (D-Great Falls)

Bruce Tutvedt (R-Kalispell)

Gene Vuckovich (D-Anaconda)

Jonathan Windy Boy (D-Box Elder) 



Important points about the bill: 

• It does not increase tap room hours. It shifts them from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. to noon-10 p.m.

• It meets the expectations of Montanans and better accommodates the visiting public and tourists’ schedules.
• Brewers will still be limited to serving 48 ounces per person per day and are not asking to increase this limit. 

• It aligns with neighboring and regional state laws, which have no hours restrictions.
• It aligns with Montana wineries laws, which have no serving hours restrictions.