Montana Alcoholic Beverage Market: Regulations, Statistics, Trends, and Wholesalers

Montana’s unique and tightly controlled alcohol market reflects the state’s distinctive regulatory approach and growing craft beverage industry. The Big Sky State operates as a control jurisdiction under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division (ABCD), which maintains strict oversight over spirits distribution through state-controlled warehousing and agency liquor stores while allowing more open distribution for beer and wine. This creates a hybrid regulatory environment that combines state control with private retail operations.

Montana had an approximate population of 1.1 million people in 2024, with 856,000 within the legal drinking age bracket. The state ranks 42nd in distilled spirits consumption, with annual sales of approximately 1.1 million 9-liter cases.

The state’s alcohol industry features a growing production landscape with over 40 distilleries, 10 wineries, and 100 breweries contributing to the market’s vibrancy and variety. Montana’s emergence as a craft beverage destination reflects both its agricultural heritage and increasingly sophisticated consumer preferences.

A particularly distinctive feature of Montana’s regulatory framework is its strict quota system for on-premises (bars, restaurants) liquor licenses, where the number of available licenses depends on population. This system creates high demand and a secondary market where licenses may be bought and sold for significant sums. Additionally, Montana also has more permissive underage consumption laws than many states, allowing persons under 21 to consume alcohol with a parent or guardian in a private, non-business setting.

We’ve prepared a guide to the Montana market, which covers the following topics:

• Consumption trends
• The most popular alcohol categories
• Local guidelines

If you need help establishing your presence in Montana, provide your information below, and we’ll contact you to share more on how we can help.

Consumption Trends In Montana

The latest spirits data in Montana shows that spirits saw +2.41% CAGR growth in the five-year period from 2020-2024. The latest five-year data for wine and beer shows flat growth for wine and -2.05% CAGR for beer from 2019-2023. Below you’ll find the full data set for these timelines.

Montana Spirits Consumption from 2020-2024 by 9-Liter Cases

Montana Wine Consumption from 2019-2023 by 9-Liter Cases

Montana Beer Consumption from 2019-2023 by 9-Liter Cases

Montana State Alcohol Licensing

Montana operates as a control state with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division (ABCD) under the Montana Department of Revenue overseeing all aspects of alcohol regulation. The state maintains control over spirits distribution through state warehousing and agency liquor stores, while beer and wine operate under more traditional open market distribution.

Common Licenses for Manufacturers in Montana

Spirits

• Domestic Distillery License (Microdistillery) – For facilities producing up to 200,000 proof gallons annually. Requires $200 one-time processing fee for the initial license and $500 annual license fee.
• Domestic Distillery License (Standard) – For facilities producing more than 200,000 proof gallons annually. Requires $200 one-time processing fee for the initial license and $500 annual license fee.

Wine

• Domestic Winery License – Required for any winery located in Montana that imports bulk wine, produces, bottles, blends, stores, transports, or exports wine. Requires $200 initial processing fee and $400 annual license fee.

Beer

• Montana Brewery License – Determines rights for brewing, bottling, and selling beer both on-premises (tasting rooms) and off-premises, based on license class and production volume.
• On-Premises Beer License/Restaurant Beer & Wine License – Required for on-site consumption. Restaurant Beer & Wine (RBW) license allows sales of beer and wine only to customers ordering food, with specific alcohol-to-food sales ratios and operating hours.
• Off-Premises Beer License – Needed to sell beer to consumers for off-site consumption, commonly used for growler fills, cans, and bottles sold from the brewery.

Out-of-State Brand Requirements

Spirits

• Certificate of Approval – Out-of-state spirits producers must obtain this from ABCD to ship distilled spirits to the state liquor warehouse. All spirits for sale in Montana must first be shipped to this warehouse for state-controlled distribution.
• Listing and State Warehouse Delivery – Products must be listed with the Department of Revenue, which sets posted prices and controls all warehousing and distribution to Montana’s 95 state agency liquor stores.
• Vendor Permit – Required for out-of-state producers wanting to promote their products in Montana. Each vendor is allowed to register representatives to promote brands within Montana.

Wine

• Foreign Winery or Importer Registration – Out-of-state wine producers must register as a “Foreign Winery” or “Importer” with ABCD to ship wine to Montana-licensed table wine distributors.
• Out-of-State Winery License – Required from the Montana Department of Revenue; must be renewed annually. The initial application is $400.00 with $200.00 processing fee.

Beer

• Certificate of Approval – Out-of-state brewers and beer importers must obtain this from ABCD to ship beer to Montana-licensed beer wholesalers.
• Designation of Montana-Licensed Wholesaler – Must work exclusively with one or more licensed Montana beer wholesalers/distributors. Direct sales to Montana retailers or consumers are prohibited.

Montana State Alcohol Regulations

Price Posting in Montana

Wine: No statutory or regulatory provisions noted.

Spirits: As a control state, posted prices remain in effect until a revised form is submitted and approved by the department. Revised quotes must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the effective date of the department’s quarterly price book.

Brand/Label Registration Requirements

Wine: Every product must be approved by the Department. Approval requires submittal of a picture of the primary packaging unless a traditional container is used, along with the TTB COLA. If wine is less than 7% ABV, a copy of the label must be included.

Spirits: All products must be approved by the Department. Approval requires submittal of a picture copy of the product’s primary packaging.

Direct-to-Consumer Sales and Delivery

Wine

• Direct Shipment Endorsement – Wineries (in-state or registered Foreign Wineries) may sell and ship up to 18 9-liter cases of table wine annually to Montana residents 21+ for personal use. Annual fee is $50.00.
• Out-of-State Winery License – Required for out-of-state wineries to ship to Montana retailers. Initial application $400.00 with $200.00 processing fee, renewable annually.

Beer

• Foreign Brewer Registration – Out-of-state breweries may ship directly to Montana residents who hold a Beer Connoisseurs license. Registration fee is $50.00, renewable annually.

Spirits

• Direct-to-consumer sales are not permitted for spirits.

Retailer Delivery

Home Delivery – Effective October 1, 2021, restaurant beer and wine licensees, on-premises beer and wine licensees, and all-beverage licensees may apply for an endorsement to deliver beer and wine in original packaging.

Take-Out Sales Including Cocktails-to-Go – All-beverages licensees and restaurant beer and wine licensees may offer curbside pick-up in original packaging, prepared servings, or growlers. Restaurant beer and wine licensees must include food orders, and sales must maintain the 65% food sales requirement.

Curbside Pickup – Sale of alcoholic beverages in original packaging, prepared servings, or growlers ordered online or by phone for pickup within 300 feet of the licensed premises during normal business hours, including drive-through windows.

Montana Spirits Volume By Category – 2024 Data

Spirit trends in Montana by volume and dollar sales in 2024.

Source: Beverage Information Group

Montana Beer Volume Sales By Category – 2023 Data

Beer trends in Montana by volume sales in 2023

Source: Beverage Information Group

Montana Wine Volume Sales By Category – 2023 Data

Wine trends in Montana by volume sales in 2023

Source: Beverage Information Group

Alcoholic Beverage Distributors Located In Montana

Alcoholic Beverage Distributors Located In Montana

Wine & Spirits Distributors

Selling Alcohol In Montana

In this section below, you’ll find all of the most frequently asked questions related to selling alcohol (beer, wine, and spirits) in the state of Montana. Should you not find what you’re looking for, please reach out to us.

FAQs on Montana Beer, Wine & Spirits Sales

Buying Alcohol In Montana – Hours, Locations & Taxes

The rules and regulations vary when it comes to purchasing alcohol in the state of Montana.. This list of FAQs below will help you better understand the laws of buying any type of alcohol in Montana.

FAQs on Buying Beer, Wine & Liquor in Montana

(Data Source: mtrevenue.gov, wikipedia.org)

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