Posted On May 4, 2015
Re-posted from the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, May 3, 2015
Just as the spring sun is starting to warm the faces of winterized Bozemanites, a spring brewing festival is coming to Bozeman to spread the taste of more than 85 Montana-made craft beers.
The Montana Brewers Association has organized a spring brew festival for this Thursday at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds, the first that the group has held in Bozeman since 2011, said Tony Herbert, executive director for the group.
As of Friday, 25 breweries from across the state were confirmed to take part, bringing 86 different beers for Bozemanites’ sipping pleasure, while vendors sell food and local musicians entertain.
“When you come to our brew-fest, you get a chance to try some beers that may not be in your market and may never be in your market,” Herbert said. Brewers from as far afield as Libby, Kalispell, Sidney and Havre will be among those showcased at the festival.
Thursday’s 4 to 10 p.m. event — the first hour is VIP-only — is the 10th brew-fest the Montana Brewers Association has held since the group’s inception in 2009, and they were held in Bozeman the first three years, Herbert said.
Herbert said he’s excited to return to Bozeman, home of many “good craft beer fans,” but the event is bittersweet, as it will be his last public event at the helm of the Brewers Association.
The group is currently taking applications for a new director, and Herbert will help with the transition before stepping down July 1, he said.
“Being the director of the craft brewers (association) has been a really awesome opportunity,” Herbert said. “It’s such a cool and new business going on across the state.”
After he relinquishes the reigns, Herbert plans to go camping with his family and relax more.
“I’m going to be moving on to recreate more and work less,” he said.
Thursday’s brew-fest will be held in Haynes Pavilion at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds. General admission tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate, and VIP tickets are $30 advance and $35 at the gate. A paid ticket gets admission and a 9-ounce glass good for 4-ounce samples of any beers. There’s no set limit to the number of samples, but Herbert encourages people to drink responsibly.
Admission is restricted to ages 21 and over. More information is available at www.montanabrewers.org.