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BILLINGS -- Tavern owners and craft brewers have often had a frosty relationship in Montana, fighting for their share of thirsty beer drinkers’ money.

But on Tuesday, the two groups, along with the Montana Restaurant Association, announced a new alliance. Signs and stickers stating “Buy Local Beer Here” are popping up at bars, restaurants and breweries statewide, part of a broader campaign to highlight Montana-made brews at Montana establishments.

“We decided to focus on the 1,000 things we have in common instead of the three things we disagree on,” said John Iverson, government affairs director of the Montana Tavern Owners Association.

The tavern owners, restaurateurs and brewers produced about 6,000 stickers in this first run and are encouraging consumers to post pictures with messages on social media, said Matt Leow, director of the Montana Brewers Association.

They have hashtags, #BuyLocalBeer and #MTBeer, which they hope will get people talking on social media. There's a website, too: www.montanabrewers.org/buylocalbeer.