E-Malt.com News article: USA, MT: Lewis & Clark Brewery to expand

The Lewis & Clark Brewery in Helena, MT is hoping to acquire a city beer license in order to continue growing. The brewery is fast approaching its 10,000 barrel limit, which would require the business to close its tap room, according to KXLH Helena News of November 26.

Owner Max Pigman says since sales of the Helena beer have expanded into other cities the brewery needs to keep up with demand for their product; therefore they will ask the city for a conditional use permit in order to comply with city ordinance.

The change will also allow the brewery to address parking issues.

"We've acquired a property one block to the west of us called the brewery annex and it will have over 100 parking spots plus it gives us the opportunity to store over 1 million empty cans. And the cans have really been a driver of our business as we continue to grow and expand throughout the state of Montana," said Pigman.

The Lewis & Clark Brewery is one of the fastest-growing craft brewers in Montana with more than 50% growth in the last year; they've gone from four employees to 25. They currently distribute their beers in Helena, Butte, Great Falls, Bozeman, and Missoula.
They expect to fill more than 500,000 cans in 2013.

A public hearing will be held by the City Zoning Commission on December 10th. The final decision will be made at a public hearing held on January 6th.





27 November, 2013