Senator Ryan Zinke of Whitefish, introduced two bills yesterday in the Montana Senate which will have quite an effect on the Montana beer scene if passed.  SB 202 (Senate Bill 202) would shift the hours of operation for a tap room at a small brewery from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m.  It would also clarify that all brewery samples must be consumed by 11:00 p.m.  Currently, it isn’t clear whether beer must be purchased AND consumed by the 8:00 p.m. cutoff.

SB 203 would fix a controversy which arose last year over who could fill/sell growlers for off-premise consumption.  The Montana Department of Revenue determined it was not legal for an non-brewery establishment with an on-premise retail license (i.e. a bar) to fill growlers.  SB 203 would permit an on-premise retailer to fill growlers for off-premise consumption. The bill defines a growler as “any refillable, resealable container complying with federal law.”  When I get a minute, I’ll look up the federal rules.

These bills have been referred to the Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee, but no hearing has been scheduled.  If you’d like to support these bills, contact your legislators which you can do by clicking here. It really does make a difference.