The University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research (there’s a mouthful) issued a press release yesterday about it’s study of the the impact craft brewing has on Montana’s economy.  The independent study, initially released at the Montana Brewers Association fall conference in Missoula, shows some impressive results. 

As a whole, “the impact of the industry represents more than 430 jobs, nearly $50 million in private-sector sales, $9.8 million in private nonfarm compensation, $1.8 million in government compensation and $1.5 million in state government revenues.”

The study was prepared following a nine-question survey administered during summer 2012 to all Montana brewers. Data was collected for 2010 and 2011 production, sales, employment, compensation, expenditures, and benefits.  Ninety-seven percent of brewers (30 of 31) responded to the survey which includes numbers only for those breweries that were in operation by the end of 2011. (That number does not include the two breweries who opened in December 2011, but did not yet have numbers.) Since then, several more breweries have opened in 2012 with one more set to open soon.

The study also found that from 2010 to 2011: production increased 18%: 87,000 bbls to 103,000 bbls; sales increased 20%: $21.8 to 26.1 million; and employment increased 39%: 231 to 320 jobs.

The entire report can be found at the Bureau’s website here.