Montana brewers want law changed to serve beer later

BOZEMAN (AP) — Montana brewers want state lawmakers to shift taproom hours so microbreweries can serve until 10 p.m.

Currently taprooms can operate between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. A bill to be sponsored by Republican Sen. Ryan Zinke of Whitefish would shift the hours to noon to 10 p.m.

"It gives brewers a better schedule to operate under," said Tony Herbert, executive director of the Brewers Association. "We expect we can be a little more profitable by being able to stay open later."

Backers also said the change would reflect the inclinations of customers.

"In Montana, in the summers — which...