One beer at a time: craft breweries are contributing in big ways to Montana's economy.

• Author: Hegyi, Nate

For years, northwestern Missoula was a declining industrial district with shuttered warehouses and empty industrial areas, lacking places to drink and socialize. Then in 2011, Draught Works, a craft brewery, arrived. For Jeff Grant and Paul Marshall, the brewery's owners, the spot was perfect. They moved into an open, industrial warehouse complete with a loading dock and commercial zoning.

Within a few short years, they turned a backwater section of Missoula into a family friendly hot spot, selling a product grown, brewed and enjoyed in Montana. It's a success story that's repeating itself across the state as craft breweries have continued to add to Montana's economy.

Since 2010, craft brewing in the state has grown by 87 percent, according to "The Continuing Economic Impact of Craft Brewing in Montana," a new report by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research. The industry isn't slowing down, either. At least seven new breweries are in development across the state.

Unlike federal statistics, which group breweries into a single category, the bureau's report, which was commissioned by the Montana Brewers Association, collected data from only Montana-based craft breweries. These data were collected via an online survey in which 61 out of 71 breweries responded. The study built on information from two previous reports completed in 2012 and 2014. They found that from 2010 to 2015, Montana craft brewing production increased by 87 percent, while sales increased by 111 percent and employment ballooned by more than 200 percent. The industry contributed around a thousand new jobs to the state and increased its population by almost 300 people.

This sector's growth has been remarkably steady and shows no signs of slowing down. Last year, Montana brewers directly accounted for $46 million in gross sales, 702 jobs and $13.2 million in employee compensation and benefits. According to the report, a total of $17.6 million in capital investment is currently being planned for 2016 and 2017--this is up from an estimated $9 million planned for 2014 and 2015.

All this success means a lot more beer is being produced. In 2015, Montana's craft brewers produced over 163,000 barrels. Furthermore, the study found that each craft beer sold...