News
Brewery hops to new site
Posted On May 27, 2011
Photo: Eliza Wiley Independent Record
Lewis & Clark Brewing Co. owner Max Pigman said he breathed a short sigh of relief as Mike Cote drove the forklift carrying a steel fermenting tank through the open garage door at the old Columbia Paint building just off busy Montana Avenue.
Pigman said the giant vat had to be placed on its side and the bottom of the forks scraped the floor just so it could fit through the 8-feet-high opening, but Cote gave him the first assurance that the move was working in their favor.
“Mike turned to me and said, ‘This sucker’s going in there!’ ” Pigman recalled.
It’s been two years in the making, but Lewis & Clark finally began its move to what will be the new site of its brewery and taproom on Thursday. The old space beneath the Brewhouse restaurant on Lyndale will soon be up for lease, though the old taproom will still be selling the company’s beer until the new operation can begin.
Fat Jack’s Joins the MBA
Posted On April 26, 2011
Fat Jack’s has joined the Montana Brewers Association. Fat Jack’t Tap Room in Laurel Montana has is our newest member brewery, so next time you are in the Laurel/Billings neighborhood stop by and try some of Montana’s newest brews. Find them on FaceBook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-Jacks-Tap-Room/158489497500211
Fat Jack's Tap Room, Laurel, MT
Show support for Montana breweries with a Brew Crew card!
Posted On April 1, 2011
$25 for 20 Pints of happiness at participating breweries!
Governor Signs “Growler Bill” Into Law
Posted On March 26, 2011
The Governor signed SB203 into law yesterday making clear that it is legal to fill growlers for off premise consumption at Montana taverns, restaurants, and pubs throughout the state. SB203, sponsored by Senator Ryan Zinke, R-Whitefish, clarifies an already existing and accepted practice in Montana. This was challenged last year by the state’s Department of Revenue. The Department would have made this safe, sensible, environmentally sound practice illegal through rule, which they later withdrew so that the legislature could address the issue. The Montana Brewers Association asked to have the bill introduced, and the Montana Taverns Association supported the bill.
So when you can’t make it to your local brewery to fill your growler, look for those non-brewery establishments that carry fine craft beer to fill your growler, and make sure it is with Montana made beer (though the law makers didn’t say the type of beer you must buy). Growlers do have to meet federal standards, and cannot be filled in advance by taverns and pubs. To see the bill, click here.