Quarry Brewing Company
Butte is back in the brewing business. It’s been years since a hometown beer laced the rims of local mugs in the gritty mining town.
The magic of Quarry Brewing Company is all on the inside. The nondescript brick building on West Galena won’t give you much of an indication of what’s inside, but what’s inside is one of the most enjoyable tap-room experiences I’ve had in Montana.
Tables at which to sit and play any one of many games scattered about the room, chalk boards for children and adults to play with and a play area for kids make this tap room one of Montana’s most family friendly.
Brewer/owner Chuck Schnabel poured a taster tray and filled a growler with Open Pit Porter upon request. The long-time Washington State brewer understands the idea of a community brew house, and he understands Montana’s love for quality, traditional ales and lagers.
I tried the Shale Pale Ale, Headframe Hef, Open Cab Copper, Open Pit Porter and Sandstone Stout.
I’m impressed with all of his beers, but the two that stood out to me were the Open Cab Copper, which is similar to Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and the Open Pit Porter, which gives off rich espresso overtones. We’ll talk more about his beers later, as this is more a review of the tasting room.
The brewing system, which Schnabel bought from a Canadian company, is visible through glass doors in the tap room, giving customers a chance to see Schnabel in action.
Schnabel and his wife Lyza are planning to grow the brewery slowly and win locals over one pint at a time. The family friendly atmosphere is due in part to the Schnabels’ two children who often grace the tasting room with their childish whoops and hollers. Brewing historically was a family affair, the sons and daughters of brewers taking up the family business much the same as at the world’s famous wineries. Schnabel is planning to be heavily involved with the Montana State Brewer’s Association, which he hopes will unite the state’s breweries to help grow the craft brewing industry here. The brewery also has a lot of promise as a great events venue with a large stage and contained crowd area on the roof of the building, and Schnabel would like to have musical entertainment in tap room eventually as well.
Quarry Brewing Company is worth the drive to Butte. Stop in and get to know Chuck and Lyza Schnabel now, because you’ll wish you had later.
Oh, and Quarry Brewing is just the second brewery in the state to carry Party Pigs, those lovable brown beer kegs that you adopt and then refill with 2.25 gallons of your favorite beer as often as you need.
Prost,
GG
Congrats on the brewery. Good Luck. See ya next week!
Dear Chuck:
What the heck is the deal with stealing my idea! LOL Oh, hell, I never had the capitol, but someday!
I just wanted to drop you a note to say, “BRAVO!” Having started my homebrewing back in 1988 while attending MSU, I tossed the idea of bringing beer back to Butte around with my fiancee back in the summer of 1993 when we were taking care of her grandmother. My wife, Deborah Kaye Bork, Evel Knievel’s niece via Linda Bork, and I used to take evening walks around Butte, and I knew exactly where you were looking at when I got the Great Falls Tribune article from my father, Charles “Chuck” Schabel.
Must be something with the name! I have had this article on my desk for the last 6 months meaning to write to you, but the State of California seems to eat time somehow. That and the fact that I took off to Europe for a month to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. Was hoping to hook up with you last month, but we decided to stay out of the media circus surrounding Evel’s funeral.
I would find it an honor if you would allow me to brew with you when we are in Montana next. I would arrange the travel of our trip to accomodate such a thing. I am still in the mini mash arena with my homebrewing while saving up for my all-grain unit. Residing in California at the present, the majority of my time is spent in the winery arena, as a family friend has a small winery.
You should be getting a visit from my father, Charles Schabel, sometime this spring. He travels from Great Falls to Butte for mining/prospecting shows and conventions. Having spent some time in England, where I was born, he will give you an honest view of your product. He is so excited to meet you!
Wishing you all the best!
Sincerely, Erik Schabel
P.S. It appears that you folks are rolling along, and I would love to have one of your tap handles for my homebrew fridge. If you could let me know what handles you have available, the price, and if you wouldn’t mind shipping to me, it would be greatly appreciated.
A few months ago, I visited the brewery and purchased five growlers of beer, one of each variety. Each beer was flat, to the point of being undrinkable. I wrote to Chuck and left a voice mail, too. I received no response. The money wasn’t the issue, as I’d like to see Chuck succeed. You’d think the the brewmaster would offer an explanation and perhaps a free beer or two. Chuck apparently needs some help from experienced brewers, unless the water or conditions in Butte make such a venture impossible.
Jimmy,
I would like to thank you for you relentless pursuit of this subject. Yes it is true that I have not returned your phone call or your e-mail but that could be because I am working over 60 hour weeks have two children which have activities and lives which I am still trying to be involved in. As for my experience I have over 200 brews with RBHB in Lakewood WA and have already reached 40 on our system in Butte. If you would like to make a more informed analysis of our beer please feel free to stop by and have a sampler tray. I must say that sometimes it does take time to get dialed into a system.
I was in the tap room recently and the beers and company are great. Jimmy you should give them a second chance.
I just want to thank you!!! For bringing your ideas and excellent beers to the “one and only” “Butte America”!!!! Butte was in need of a Brewery, and I am glad that you and your family were the ones to fill that gap!!! Keep on doing what you’re doing!!!!
Is Ironstone IPA your beer and did I enjoy it at Bubba Gumps Restaurant in Monterey, CA. Where can I get it in California? I liked it so much that I wrote down the name, but I can’t find it.
Jeri,
Ironstone is a Quarry brew. I’d be surprised if you found it in California, as I thought they were keeping distribution fairly local, but if you did, then that’s cool. Might it have been a brew from Stone Brewing co.? They are a California brewery a lot more likely to be in a Bubba Gumps in Monterey.
Tim