Distillers and a brewer testified at the Montana Capitol on Wednesday to support a bill that would make their businesses operate under the same tasting room laws.
Montana breweries can serve up to 48 ounces of beer per customer until 8 p.m., and it may be consumed on premise until 9 p.m. Distilleries can serve up to two ounces of liquor per customer until 8 p.m., but it has to be consumed by then too.
“Even if we serve that person at 7:45, we’re pretty much requiring them to pound that cocktail and pull it from them by 8, which is negating the experience completely of coming into a tasting room at the distillery,” said Mary Harris, co-owner of Bozeman Spirits Distillery.