Flathead Cruise with Charlie Papazian – August 10

Posted On April 1, 2013

Come join us on August for a special event–A Cruise with Charlie!!!! Charlie Papazian, President of the Brewers Association and the father of home brewing in America, Charlie will cruise Flathead Lake out of Lakeside with members and guests of the Montana Brewers Association. The Far West boat is reserved from 6pm to 9pm, and it will be a unique opportunity to mingle with Charlie and many Montana brewers, enjoy the sites and your fill of Montana made beer paired with outstanding fare, and music by John Floridis.

This Cruise will include plenty of delicious beers from 12 participating breweries, paired with heavy hors d’oeuvres, music by John Floridis, and a beautiful cruise around Flathead Lake. The boat departs at 6pm and returns to the dock at 9pm. Brewers and guest are invited to join together at the Tamarack Brewery located in Lakeside before and after the cruise.

Due to the size of the boat (149 guests) we are able to make only 75 tickets available for sale online in advance at the price of $150 per ticket (limit of 4 tickets per purchase). Buy your tickets right here and come join us for a fun filled night with the Montana brewers and an icon of the brewing world.

(a $5 processing fee will be added per ticket purchased)

The Far West Boat will depart Lakeside promptly at 6pm, so please arrive at least 15 minutes in advance.

Please print your Pay Pal receipt and bring it with you as proof of purchase.  Or bring it on your smart phone and save some paper.

We also have reserved some rooms in the area (see below), and will host a shuttle service to and from Lakeside and these hotels.

• Best Western Flathead Lake Inn and Suites – 4824 Highway 93 South – 406-857-2400 – 10 rooms call by July 10 – $189.99/night – Closest to Lakeside – shuttle will be available.

• Kalispell Econo-Lodge – 1680 U.S. 93 Kalispell, Mt 59901 – 406-752-3467 – 30 rooms call by July 10 – $109.99/night – shuttle will be available.

• Kalispell Hilton Garden Inn – 1840 U.S. 93 Kalispell, Mt 59901 – 406-756-4500 – 20 rooms call by July 20 – $159.99/night – shuttle will be available

In his worldwide travels, he has been both lecturer and presenter at such prestigious events as: The World Beer and Beverage Forum in Munich, National Press Club, Master Brewers Association of the Americas, American Society of Brewing Chemists, Institute of Brewing Asia-Pacific, BrewTec Tokyo, International Craft Beer Conference Japan, AHA National Conference, National Craft Brewers Conference, Chef des Chef International Trade Show, National Restaurant Association, Pizza Today Exposition, Great American Beer Festival, Nightclub and Bar Expo, Canadean’s International Beer Seminars, Amsterdam, Slow Food’s Salone del Gusto in Italy, BRAU Beviale Germany, Mondial de la Bière in Montreal, Rüdiger Ruoss’ Sommertage Workshops in Berlin, and many other professional and hobbyist events.

He is author of five best-selling books (1,200,000+ copies) published by HarperCollins Books: Microbrewed Adventures (2005), The Complete Joy of Home Brewing, 3^rd Edition (2003), The Home Brewer’s Companion (1994), Home Brewer’s Gold (1997), The Best of Zymurgy (1998), and The Interactive New Complete Joy of Home Brewing CD-ROM. He is the National Beer Examiner for www.Examiner.com

He is founder of National Pie Day.

Member: Master Brewer Association of the Americas, American Society of Brewing Chemists, Institute of Brewing & Distilling, Slow Food International, Juror Slow Food Award, Slow USA, Bier Convent International, Honorary Member Asociación de Cerveceros Artesanales de la República Argentina and Honorary Member Asociación de Cervecerias Artesanales de Chile, New Member of the Class of 2011 Army War College & participant in 2011 National Security Seminars.

Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering, 1972 University of Virginia.

He lives in the Boulder, Colorado area with his wife Sandra and daughter Carla, where he avidly brews lagers, ales, and honey meads. For more information about the Brewers Association see www.brewersassociation.org, www.homebrewersassociation.org, www.craftbeer.com.

Tell the House Business and Labor Committee to VOTE NO on HB616

Posted On April 1, 2013

Tell them that the Department of Revenue’s recent legal opinion indicating that HB616 raises a significant risk of lawsuits in Federal Court is a great example of the many unattended consequences of a last minute bill like HB616, and just one more good reason to VOTE NO ON HB616!

Montana Brewers Spring Festival Coming to Billings May 31

Posted On March 29, 2013

The Montana Brewers are bringing their wares to Billings for the first time with the Montana Brewers Spring Festival on May 31.  To be held at the Downtown Depot, 5pm to 10pm, with 4pm VIP Ticket opportunity, over 20 Montana breweries with over 60 Montana made beer will be on display for your tasting pleasures.  The largest collection of Montana-made beer ever gathered in eastern Montana, its one-stop access to unique Montana brewers and their beers.  Second in breweries-per-capita, Montana is a strong contestant as one of the greatest brewing states in the country, and is NOW #2 IN THE NATION IN BREWERIES PER CAPITA.  Liquid proof of why beer sales far exceed the sales of wine and spirits combined in America.  A variety of music will be heard throughout the day and delicious food will be served.  So come join us and relax with your friends at this annual marquee celebration of Montana-made beer, at a great venue in Billings.

2013 Montana Brewers Spring Festival

1^st Annual Montana Brewers Spring Festival

The Year’s Largest Collection of Montana-Made Craft Beer!

All at one location for one day!

Friday, May 31st, 2013

Billings Depot, Downtown Billings

5pm to 10 pm

Beer Lovers, Food Lovers, Dance Lovers, Fun Lovers and Brewers

At the Montana Brewers Spring Festival in Billings, Montana.

What: The 1st Montana-made beer Spring Festival in Billings will serve over 60 different MONTANA MADE BEERS, in bottomless 9-ounce tasting glass, from over 20 Montana Brewers Association breweries. Committed to bringing Montana Made Beer to all corners of the state, this is the first Montana Brewers Festival to be held in Billings after successfully holding festivals in Bozeman and Missoula.

Beer: 9oz unlimited tasting glass.

Where: Billings Depot, Downtown Billings

When: Friday, May 31st, 2013: 5 pm – 10:00 pm

Price:

5pm Entry $20 in advance – $25 at gate.

4pm VIP Entry $30 in advance – $35 at gate: Early entry at 4pm for the Brewers VIP Hour. Beat the crowd and enjoy the lineup of Montana made beers and meet the brewers.  John Floridis, guitar player extraordinaire from Missoula, will be playing at 4pm for VIPs only!

Food: Select local food vendors.

Music:    John Floridis – Missoula, MT (4pm to 5pm)

Downtown – Billings, MT (5:30pm to 7:30pm)

Keegan Smith and the Fam – Portland, OR (8pm – 10pm)

Why: The largest collection of Montana-made beer ever gathered in eastern Montana, its one-stop access to unique Montana brewers and their beers. Second in breweries-per-capita, Montana is a strong contestant as one of the greatest brewing states in the country, and is NOW #2 IN THE NATION IN BREWERIES PER CAPITA. Liquid proof of why beer sales far exceed the sales of wine and spirits combined in America. A variety of music will be heard throughout the day and delicious food will be served. So come join us and relax with your friends at this annual marquee celebration of Montana-made beer, at a great venue in Billings.

The Brewers and The Beers: Full Beer Lineup to be coming soon. Stay Tuned.

Sponsors: Sponsorship opportunities available. Please contact Lindsey at [email protected].

Tentative Schedule:

Friday, May 31^st 2013

1^st Annual Montana Brewers Spring Festival

Billings Depot, Billings

4:00-5pm – VIP Brewers Hour and Brew Crew Card Early Entry and John Floridis

5:00pm Doors open to the public

5:30 – 7:30pm Downtown

8:00– 10:00pm Keegan Smith and the Fam.

10:00pm – Festival Ends

10:30pm – Load Out begins

HJ18 Passes House Business and Labor Committee Unanimously

Posted On March 28, 2013

At 8 AM on Thursday, March 28, our resolution to study alcohol licensing laws in Montana passed the House Business and Labor Committee. After the addition of some clarifying amendments, made by sponsor Christy Clark (R-Choteau), the measure easily made it through on a 19-0 vote. Now HJ18 will move on to the House floor, and is very likely to heard sometime during the first week of April.

This a very big step for Montana, as it sets the stage to review alcohol licensing laws that have been under great scrutiny and pressure by virtue of the current successes in Montana’s craft brewing industry. This review process will provide adequate time and the proper framework for industry members including retailers, manufacturers (brewers, distillers, and wineries), and distributors to develop long term solutions with the aid of a legislative panel.

Also, the committee postponed executive action on the  MTA’s 60/40 bill, HB616, sponsored by Roger Hagan. Rep. Hagan said that questions had arisen regarding some of the legal underpinnings of the bill. He handed out a legal opinion from the MTA’s attorney, stating that the bill didn’t have any conflict with federal regulations. Rep. Hagan also requested that executive action on the bill be delayed until Wednesday, April 3 and was granted this delay. However, after the hearing a contradictory opinion was released from the Department of Revenue.

The Department of Revenue stated that HB616 in its current form “raises a significant risk of a dormant commerce clause-based lawsuit in Federal Court.” So the bill that created the impetus for HJ18 now has a fairly significant legal issue. A striking example of the unintended consequences that accompany 11th hour ideas that have not had time to be fully researched.

The Montana Brewers Association thanks each of you for all the support you have provided during this legislative process thus far, and your passionate support of  HJ18.  Alas we aren’t done yet, and the MBA continues to need your help. Please take a moment to send a thank you note to the committee members (emails below) for their sensible vote and their continued support of our great industry! Please ask them to resist HB616 and to work with all members of Montana’s craft brewing industry in the study resolution process.

________________________________________________________