We’re excited to welcome Bonsai Brewing Project in Whitefish as the newest member of the Montana Brewers Association. Bonsai is no stranger to the MBA, rejoining this year under new ownership while continuing to serve as a community hub for great beer in the Flathead Valley.
Former owners of Bonsai Brewing Project Graham Hart and Keela Smith (right) pass the torch to new owners Daniel Wright and Charlotte Lubert.
New owner, Daniel Wright, has been a fan of Bonsai for some time now, so when the opportunity arose to buy the brewery, he jumped on it.
“I love Bonsai, the business is super awesome and people love it,” says Wright. “So far it’s been a good idea.”
Founded by Graham Hart and Keela Smith in 2014, Bonsai began a new chapter on July 1 when Wright and his aunt, Charlotte Lubert, both originally from England, took the reins. Under their leadership, Bonsai Brewing Project looks forward to continuing its tradition of community-focused brewing while bringing fresh energy to the Whitefish craft beer scene.
But don’t expect Bonsai to start serving English-style cask ales. When asked if he was bringing any styles or other inspiration from England, Wright said with a laugh, “I’m not sure Americans want semi-warm, flat 3.4% beers.”
Wright is pleased that all of the staff stayed on and grateful that Hart is also helping to ensure a smooth transition for Bonsai, sharing his knowledge with new head brewer Marty Vollmer.
“Graham had a great platform for Marty to build on,” says Wright.
Conveniently located on Wisconsin Avenue on the way back into town from Whitefish Mountain Resort (still “Big Mountain” to many locals), Bonsai has become a staple in the Whitefish beer scene. The brewery originally opened its doors in January 2014 in a small space in the Mountain Mall, thanks to strong community support behind a crowdfunding campaign that raised $17,800. Just a year later, in March 2015, Bonsai moved into its current home—a converted house with a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere that’s become a favorite gathering place for locals and visitors alike.
Down the road, Wright would like to expand the kitchen to be able to keep their menu going year-round. Currently, Bonsai has an outdoor kitchen in the summer but then has to dial back their offerings to crock-pot recipes during the winter. He also plans on some improvements to the outdoor space, including adding a stage to the garden for music.
We’re thrilled to have Bonsai back as part of the MBA family, and can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.
The Montana Brewers Association is bringing its annual Montana Brewers Fall Rendezvous back to Missoula on Saturday, September 6, at Caras Park from 3-8 p.m. Beer lovers will have 106 Montana-made craft beers from 29 breweries to choose from, served in a commemorative glass. All beer samples included with admission. That’s right, no beer tickets or tokens at this brewfest!
The Fall Rendezvous also includes a competition with awards for beers in 14 categories plus the Best of Fest. Before the festival kicks off, judges will spend the morning and afternoon tasting and comparing the beers on tap. Winners are announced during the VIP hour from 3–4 p.m. That means VIP guests will get the first chance to sample the award-winning beers before gates open for General Admission at 4 p.m.
The festival also features a great lineup of live music. John Floridis, Missoula-based guitarist, singer-songwriter, and composer, will open the event for VIPs with his soulful blend of blues, folk-rock, and acoustic guitar compositions. Then Tom Catmull’s Last Resort will play for General Admission. The sound you will hear is that of a veteran acoustic Americana singer-songwriter amplified, elevated, and occasionally made more sinister by the creative musical syndicate of drummer Drew Barker and bass player/harmony singer Travis Yost. A variety of local food trucks will be on hand to enjoy with your favorite Montana craft beers, making this the perfect end-of-summer celebration.
Judges evaluate beers at the 2024 Fall Rendezvous brewfest.
The Fall Rendezvous is the grand finale of the MBA’s annual brewfest tour, which kicked off with the Spring Rendezvous in Bozeman and continued with the Summer Rendezvous in Helena. Missoula marks the last stop on this year’s tour, making it your final chance to experience the best of Montana craft brewing in a brewfest setting until next year.
Don’t miss the final MBA brewfest of the year—grab your tickets today!
From September 4–5, the Holiday Inn in Missoula will be taken over by brewers, beer experts, and industry partners for the Montana Brewers Association’s 14th Annual Montana Brewers Conference. This year’s program is packed with educational presentations, interactive sessions, networking opportunities, and plenty of Montana hospitality.
On Wednesday, September 3, a field trip to Flathead Valley Hops in Kalispell is planned for participants. Hosted by Headwaters RC&D through a Growing Montana Hops Industry grant from the Montana Department of Agriculture and USDA, the tour will showcase Montana’s growing hops industry and give brewers an opportunity to visit a hop farm during harvest season. Hunter Riddle will lead a two-hour tour of Montana’s largest hop farm, where the combination of climate, soil, and location create the perfect growing environment for traditional German-style hops like Saaz and Hallertauer Mittlefrüh.
Kicking off the conference is the first of two dynamic keynote speakers. Max Shafer, brewmaster with Pure Madness Brewery Group, will present “Why You Should Be Using Montana-Grown Hops – Period,” sharing how his brewery has shifted its hop procurement strategy to focus on quality and relationships, challenging long-held industry stigmas in pursuit of both timeless and modern beer styles. The second keynote speaker will be Ashleigh Carter, head brewer and co-owner of Bierstadt Lagerhaus. Carter will address resiliency and burnout in the brewing industry. Her talk will explore critical questions about purpose, motivation, and self-care in a demanding field.
Attendees can choose from a wide range of breakout sessions covering technical brewing knowledge, business and marketing strategies, and front-of-house management. Topics cover everything from water conservation to HR best practices. A sampling of sessions includes “Profitable Taproom Tactics”, providing practical insights into growing the beating heart of a brewery, and an industry panel on building strong brewery–wholesaler partnerships. Representatives from the Montana Department of Revenue will also provide regulatory updates and an overview of the state’s new digital ID program.
Of course, no Montana Brewers Conference would be complete without enjoying great locally-brewed beer. The Dram Shop will host a welcome reception at their Front St. location at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, following the hops tour. Big Sky Brewing, on Thursday, and Cranky Sam on Friday, will also host evening gatherings for conference attendees to showcase Missoula’s signature hospitality and incredible craft beer scene.
Finally, we extend a big thank-you to our sponsors, whose generous support makes this event possible:
Brewers, industry partners, homebrewers and anyone interested in the science, business and passion of brewing are invited to join us. For more information and to register, go to montanabrewersconference.com. We look forward to seeing you in Missoula for three days of learning, networking, and celebrating Montana beer!