A group of local breweries and distilleries took a trip out of the country to try and export some of their product.

Bozeman Spirits recently took a trip to Japan along with seven other breweries and distilleries. While the group made connections, they also helped establish a precedent that could be crucial for the future of Montana's economy.

“I would always say, make sure you smell it first and then taste it,” said Jim Harris, owner of Bozeman Spirits Distillery. “Because they didn't know what a huckleberry was.”

Those that attended the tradeshow in Tokyo, didn't know the surprise they were in for when they first tasted Bozeman Spirit's Huckleberry vodka.

Bozeman Spirits distillery, Headframe Spirits in Butte, Whistling Andy, Gulch Distillery, Lewis and Clark Brewing, Wildrye Distilling and Montana Malt Labs all traveled to Japan to meet with distributors. There were approximately 75,000 people that went through the 3-day tradeshow.

The group was in Japan from April 12th through the 14th.

“They already export a fair amount of beef and then a lot of the grain and barley is already over there so that's part of the reason,” said Harris. “Could Montana take a different product over? And that was part of the exploratory with this.”

“Japan is a market where there is a growing interest in craft beer and in distilled spirits and there is also a fondness for Japanese culture for the American west,” said Daniel Iverson, Communications manager for the Montana office of tourism and business development.

One of the main drivers of the trip is that all of these groups are looking to expand their sales.

For example, Bozeman Spirits hope to expand to possibly Idaho and Wyoming, but in order to do so, they need more sales.

“We'll just do them slowly, as we can make enough product for them, but having the option to go out of the country...they're not just ordering one pallet, they're ordering a container load,” said Harris.

Two of the biggest buyers of Montana barley, Anheuser-Busch and Miller Coors, are cutting the amount of Montana-grown barley purchased this year by around 60 percent, causing strain on Montana's agriculture economy.

Harris believes that an increase in exporting out of the country could be a step in the right direction.

“Breweries and distilleries are really expanding throughout the state right now,” said Harris. “That gives another avenue to use the grain in the state and use more of it and get our products out of the state.”

Read More at source: 7kbzk.com