News
2011 Montana Brewers Festival: A Showcase of Quality, Variety
Posted On September 16, 2011
Republished from Growler Fills
Quality and variety were on display Friday evening as craft beer lovers by the hundreds took turns talking to brewers and fellow fans while taking in some of the 70+ Montana brewed beers at the 2011 Montana Brewer’s Festival. It was a beautiful sunny evening in Bozeman and the only troubling aspect was figuring out where to start. (More pictures here.)
IPAs initially appeared to dominate the offerings, but a closer look revealed widely ranging styles from light lagers to Belgians and saisons, to Russian imperial stouts. There was certainly something for everyone and judging by the excitement and buzz of the crowd, there was a lot of love for our Montana brewers.
We made a point of trying brews we’ve never had before along with breweries that are a bit out of the way from Missoula. That means beer from Wibaux and Wolfpoint, for example, and I know what you’re thinking. They brew beer in Wibaux and Wolfpoint? Yes, they do, and the stuff from Beaver Creek and Missouri Breaks is darn good, too. We particularly enjoyed Beaver Creek’s Paddlefish Stout and Missouri Break’s Rattlesnake IPA.
Others that stood out were Carter’s Hop Delivery Vehicle IPA and Faux Pas Belgian Style Stout. We heard some buzz about Bozone’s Barrel Aged Raspberry Russian Imperial Stout, but couldn’t find the stout behind all the raspberry aroma and flavor. On the other hand, Bozone’s Hopsimellia Imperial IPA and its 100+ ibus/10.8% abv was crazy good, combining a complex citrus/pine bitter bite with a rich, yeasty malt serving tray. Blackfoot River’ 2010 Brewer’s Reserve Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine is one I wish I’d had the chance to sit back and sip for an extended period. The vanilla and bourbon flavors provided an excellent compliment to the barleywine, avoiding the overwhelming dominance too common of barrel aged beers.
There were several we didn’t have a chance to try, some because they ran out and some simply due to lack of personal capacity. Neptune’s Imperial Brown Ale is one I missed, but I did rather enjoy their chocolate cream porter. We took our time and practiced pacing, stopping for water and slices of pizza and the chance to talk with a few of the brewers. We enjoyed visiting with some Growler Fills fans and made a few new ones, too. The music played on as we called it a night and vowed to return to the next Festival. To see a collection of pictures from the event, check out our 2011 Montana Brewers Festival set here.
When the morning hunger and thirst hits you in Bozeman, head over to the Cateye Cafe for some awesome breakfast and Wild Joe’s for some of the best coffee anywhere.
Baucus Leads Effort to Support Montana’s Small Brewers
Posted On June 20, 2011
Senator Creates Senate’s Bipartisan Small Brewers Caucus
(Washington, D.C.) – Montana’s senior U.S. Senator, Max Baucus, announced the creation of his Bipartisan Small Brewers Caucus, which he will co-chair with Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID). Baucus created the caucus as a forum to stand up for issues important to small brewers and examine the role of these small businesses in main street economies across Montana and around the country.
“Montana’s small brewers don’t just make great beer out of the best Montana grains– they also support good-paying Montana jobs,” said Baucus. “I’m so proud to create the Bipartisan Small Brewers Caucus– because as the state with the second highest number of craft brewers per capita in the country, Montana small brewers need a voice in Congress who’ll keep looking out for them.”
“Montana brewers are main street businesses, producing quality beers, adding value using Montana grain, paying living wages to their employees, and growing their businesses,” said Tony Herbert, Executive Director of the Montana Brewers Association. “Montana craft beer production was up 10% in 2010 as craft beer enthusiasm grows throughout the state. The 28 Montana brewers and the Montana Brewers Association sincerely appreciate Senator Baucus’ leadership in bringing greater focus to craft brewery issues nationally, though the creation of the Senate Small Brewers Caucus.”
“Small craft brewers are growing, creating jobs and contributing in small and big ways to the recovery of the American economy,” said Charlie Papazian, President of the National Brewers Association. “Under the leadership of Senator Baucus, the bipartisan Senate Small Brewers Caucus reflects the collaborative, grassroots community spirit in which the nation’s small brewers contribute to their local communities.”
Montana has the second-highest number of small breweries per capita in the nation, with 28 registered breweries. Small brewers use over 5.6 million pounds of malted grain, approximately half of which is grown in Montana. They employ more than 250 Montanans.
Facts about the Montana brewing industry:
- Small brewers utilize over 5000 retailers, and sell their products in 24 states.
- Small brewers manufacture and package over 88,000 barrels (2,728,000 gallons) of fine handcrafted beer in pints, bottles, cans, and kegs each year.
- Small brewers experienced an 10% growth in barrels of beer produced in 2010, and had sales over $24,000,000.
Read the Brewers Association’s press release here
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