Clarifying the state liquor laws (Billings: sales, how much, buy)

[FiveHorses]

Ok, I went and looked everything up - as I understand the state acts as a wholesaler but the retail stores are privately owned and run... Correct?

But what I can't find the answer to is:

a) is beer &/or wine sold in supermarkets in MT?

b) can liquor be sold on Sundays?

c) as I understand it, there's a 10% sales tax on booze. Is this all booze or does it vary by, for example, alcohol content (so it's there for hard liquor, but not for beer kind of thing).

Thanks.

[mtboy]

Originally Posted by FiveHorses

Ok, I went and looked everything up - as I understand the state acts as a wholesaler but the retail stores are privately owned and run... Correct?

But what I can't find the answer to is:

a) is beer &/or wine sold in supermarkets in MT?

b) can liquor be sold on Sundays?

c) as I understand it, there's a 10% sales tax on booze. Is this all booze or does it vary by, for example, alcohol content (so it's there for hard liquor, but not for beer kind of thing).

Thanks.

Ok so MT is kind of screwy in this aspect. My family owns/runs a state liquor store so I think I can answer most the questions you have, and try to clarify anything.

So there is two types of liquor stores ....state owned which poses a state liquor license.... and not state owned which basically have state bar licenses.

The state owned liquor stores can ONLY sell liqour & wine. It can be sold on sundays, but the town they are located in has to approve of it, and there is huge (40-50%) tax on all liquor you don't see that though it is worked into the price from the state (that is why liquor is more expensive in MT... went to Vegas and things are about 40% cheaper than here). These stores provide the liquor to the bars. The price they sell it to the bars is set by the state of MT (something like a 5% markup). Therefore one store can not go into operation with one bar and corner the market so to speak with this one bar. Also if you own a liquor store you can not own a bar. The stores do not make their money by selling liquor to the bars.... it is the walkins that they make their money on (15-25% markup). Also bars get big discounts when they buy by the case... the markup here is also set by the state and is only like 2% on cases.

People get confused because there are so called "Liquor Stores" that sell beer, wine, and liquor... everything. These are not state owned liquor stores... these places have the same state license as bars do. You could walk in and crack a bottle open if you wanted too, in a state liquor store you can not drink inside. These "liquor stores" can buy at the bar discount from state liquor stores only mark their product up (10-15%) and sell cheaper than the state liquor stores sometimes. Also since they have more of a selection (beer), and they can be open 7 days a week, they get more customers. But usually if you do shop around state liquor stores have more of a selection, have sales, and are cheaper on some things.

There is a place in Billings called Bottles n Shots. I think you can go there and basically buy shots of things, decide if you like it or not, and purchase. This is something you could never do in a state liquor store.

Beer and wine can be purchased everywhere.... stores, supermarkets, gas stations, anyone can sell beer at any given location except state liquor stores, I think the license to sell is like $50 a year. The license to have a bar is more expensive, even though there is now $ amount put on it. The dollar amount put on it's location... $$$$.

Anyway now that I have confused you more, enjoy.

[FiveHorses]

[quote=mtboy;8467294]

Ok so MT is kind of screwy in this aspect

Phew - I was wondering if my brain cells had been pickled! It's not a straightforward system is it?

No, I think I have a sort of grip on it... it's either really marked up or it's really hugely marked up. That sort of sums it up, no?

Many thanks.

[mtboy]

Yeah, MT has a state tax on liquor. I think one of the largest in the country.

If I remember correctly from my last trip to NV a 1L of Jack was bout $23.00. MT about $32.00 (I think). I know it was about $9-11 dollars higher per 1L bottle in MT.

[GLS]

Originally Posted by mtboy

Ok so MT is kind of screwy in this aspect. My family owns/runs a state liquor store so I think I can answer most the questions you have, and try to clarify anything.

So there is two types of liquor stores ....state owned which poses a state liquor license.... and not state owned which basically have state bar licenses.

The state owned liquor stores can ONLY sell liqour & wine. It can be sold on sundays, but the town they are located in has to approve of it, and there is huge (40-50%) tax on all liquor you don't see that though it is worked into the price from the state (that is why liquor is more expensive in MT... went to Vegas and things are about 40% cheaper than here). These stores provide the liquor to the bars. The price they sell it to the bars is set by the state of MT (something like a 5% markup). Therefore one store can not go into operation with one bar and corner the market so to speak with this one bar. Also if you own a liquor store you can not own a bar. The stores do not make their money by selling liquor to the bars.... it is the walkins that they make their money on (15-25% markup). Also bars get big discounts when they buy by the case... the markup here is also set by the state and is only like 2% on cases.

People get confused because there are so called "Liquor Stores" that sell beer, wine, and liquor... everything. These are not state owned liquor stores... these places have the same state license as bars do. You could walk in and crack a bottle open if you wanted too, in a state liquor store you can not drink inside. These "liquor stores" can buy at the bar discount from state liquor stores only mark their product up (10-15%) and sell cheaper than the state liquor stores sometimes. Also since they have more of a selection (beer), and they can be open 7 days a week, they get more customers. But usually if you do shop around state liquor stores have more of a selection, have sales, and are cheaper on some things.

There is a place in Billings called Bottles n Shots. I think you can go there and basically buy shots of things, decide if you like it or not, and purchase. This is something you could never do in a state liquor store.

Beer and wine can be purchased everywhere.... stores, supermarkets, gas stations, anyone can sell beer at any given location except state liquor stores, I think the license to sell is like $50 a year. The license to have a bar is more expensive, even though there is now $ amount put on it. The dollar amount put on it's location... $$$$.

Anyway now that I have confused you more, enjoy.

I understand you perfectly. Of course, I'm half-drunk as I'm reading this.

[mtboy]

Might have been half drunk when I wrote it too. ya never know

[FiveHorses]

Originally Posted by mtboy

Might have been half drunk when I wrote it too. ya never know

But what we do know is that it will probably be helpful to be half drunk when you pay for it!

[seven of nine]

Hey I never knew how much I saved by only occasionally indulging.

[jimj]

I know we buy the really big bottle of Jack in CA at Costco when we go vist family for about $24 and it's $43 at the store here in town.