MBA

MBA History

The Montana Brewers Association was created in 2008 and is a statewide association of breweries organized for the purpose of promoting the production and sales of the freshest and highest quality Montana made beers. The MBA is the outgrowth of the earlier Montana State Brewers Association, created in 1997, and the members of the MBA are dedicated to education, public awareness and support for their products, profession, and history while documenting their economic impact and legal responsibilities throughout the state of Montana. The MBA members are committed to actively supporting and interacting within their respective communities as permissible under Montana law.

The MBA represents the growing community of small breweries operating throughout the state of Montana. The MBA was formed principally as an education medium to disseminate accurate and timely information to all levels of the Montana populace, regarding the increasing value and economic impact of the emerging brewing community. In doing so, the MBA hopes to promote the growth of fresh Montana made products and to both interact with and educate their respective communities about the brewing process as well as the responsible consumption of alcoholic products. The MBA is committed to playing a positive role in both the political and legal arenas and hopes to form strong alliances with retailers, the Montana Tavern Association, and the Montana Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association in developing and implementing modern legislation that benefits all three tiers of the current distribution system.

 

Goals and Objectives

Production:  To support the production of the finest and highest quality Montana hand-crafted beers for public sale and consumption.

Promotion:
  To assist in the marketing of Montana Made beers and to build public recognition and support of local breweries as viable and successful business operations throughout the state.

Industry Participation:
  To serve in an active, cooperative, and open manner with all industry partners in the development and growth of craft brewing as a key part of the beverage industry in the state.

Policy Support:
  To serve as a proactive association for the preservation and creation of meaningful laws and public policy for a strong and growing brewing industry in Montana..

Education:
  To raise awareness and educate the public on the historical, economic, social and health issues concerning the responsible promotion, sale, and consumption of craft beer.

Community Participation:  To serve as an active leader and supporter of Montana communities as visible representatives of the craft beer business and profession.

Unified Voice:
  To build a community of brewers and brewing enthusiasts and provide them with a unified voice.

Responsibility:
  To promote ethical and legal trade practices.

 

Facts and Figures

• MBA members are committed to producing the finest handcrafted beers found anywhere.
• Montana made beers are a value-added product, using malted grains grown in Montana and throughout the Northwest.
• Members of the MBA are devoted to the communities in which they live.  In 2010 MBA members contributed over $100,000 to more than 400 local charitable organizations.
• Montana breweries have become an integral piece of the experience of Montana, and are a cultural attraction for many toursists visiting our great state.
• MBA members strive to have a positive impact on Montana communities by providing equal employment opportunities and paying a living wage.
• MBA members support and employ the services of other local and Montana based businesses whenever possible.

Montana Brewers:

• There are 33 licensed breweries operating in the state.
• Manufacture and package over 85,000 barrels (2,635,000 gallons) of fine handcrafted beer in bottles, cans, and kegs.
• Use over 5.5 million pounds of malted grain, approximately half of which is grown in Montana.
• Have an average investment in brewery equipment and plant of over $500,000.
• Distribute products through Montana’s beer and wine wholesale distributors.
• Utilize over 5,000 retailers to sell their products, and sell in 24 states.
• Are visited by a large number of tourists who come to Montana, in part, to experience Montana breweries and their beer.
• Generate and pay taxes on approximately $24 million of revenue.
• Employ more than 230 employees and provide support for members of these Montana families.
• Pay local, state, and federal taxes in personal property, income, real estate, and excise categories.