Mont. Code Ann. § 16-3-214
Beer sales by brewers -- sample room exception
En. Sec. 13, Ch. 106, L. 1933; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 46, Ex. L. 1933; re-en. Sec. 2815.22, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 166, L. 1951; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 135, L. 1959; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 296, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 421, L. 1971; Sec. 4-317, R.C.M. 1947; amd. and redes. 4-3-206 by Sec. 53, Ch. 387, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 4-3-206; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 149, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 721, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 122, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 116, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 543, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 516, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 277, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 194, L. 2021; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 443, L. 2023; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 601, L. 2023; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 749, L. 2023; amd. Sec. 28, Ch. 637, L. 2025.
(1) Subject to the limitations and restrictions contained in this code, a brewer who manufactures less than 60,000 barrels of beer a year, upon payment of the annual license fee imposed by 16-4-501 and upon presenting satisfactory evidence to the department as required by 16-4-101, must be licensed by the department, in accordance with the provisions of this code and rules prescribed by the department, to:
(a) sell and deliver beer from its storage depot or brewery to:
- (i) a distributor;
(ii) licensed retailers if the brewer uses the brewer's own equipment, trucks, and employees to deliver the beer and if:
- (A) individual deliveries, other than draught beer, are limited to the case equivalent of 8 barrels a day to each licensed retailer; and
- (B) the total amount of beer sold or delivered directly to all retailers does not exceed 10,000 barrels a year; or
- (iii) the public, including curbside pickup between 8 a.m. and 2 a.m. in original packaging or growlers;
- (b) provide its own products for consumption on its licensed premises without charge or, if it is a small brewery, provide its own products or collaboration products at a sample room as provided in 16-3-213; or
- (c) do any one or more of the acts of sale and delivery of beer as provided in this code.
- (2) A brewery may not use a common carrier for delivery of the brewery's product to the public or to licensed retailers.
- (3) A brewery may import or purchase, upon terms and conditions the department may require, necessary flavors and other nonbeverage ingredients containing alcohol for blending or manufacturing purposes.
- (4) An additional license fee may not be imposed on a brewery providing its own products on its licensed premises for consumption on the premises.
- (5) This section does not prohibit a licensed or registered brewer from shipping and selling beer directly to a distributor in this state.
- (6) For a licensed brewery holding complete ownership of a retail license pursuant to 16-4-401(9), beer that is manufactured and sold at the colocated premises does not count towards the 10,000-barrel self-distribution limit imposed by subsection (1)(a)(ii)(B). Beer manufactured and sold at the colocated premises does count toward production levels for tax purposes.
History: En. Sec. 13, Ch. 106, L. 1933; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 46, Ex. L. 1933; re-en. Sec. 2815.22, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 166, L. 1951; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 135, L. 1959; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 296, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 421, L. 1971; Sec. 4-317, R.C.M. 1947; amd. and redes. 4-3-206 by Sec. 53, Ch. 387, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 4-3-206; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 149, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 721, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 122, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 116, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 543, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 516, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 277, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 194, L. 2021; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 443, L. 2023; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 601, L. 2023; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 749, L. 2023; amd. Sec. 28, Ch. 637, L. 2025.