Big Sky Brewing to release IPA in cans
Looks like one of my favorite Big Sky Brewing beers is headed the way of the can.
According to CraftCans.com, Big Sky Brewing is in the process of adding its IPA to its canned lineup, which now includes Moose Drool, Scape Goat, Tout Slayer and, seasonally, Summer Honey.
The brewery has three new fermenters arriving next month which will allow for this addition to their canned lineup.
Look for it on store shelves sometime in the spring.
- Matt Pritchard
Shmaltz Brewing Co. owner to sign book, host tasting in Missoula
Jeremy Cowan, owner of San Francisco-based Shmaltz Brewing Co., returns to western Montana for the second year in a row to talk about and sign copies of his book “Craft Beer Bar Mitzvah: How It Took 13 Years, Extreme Jewish Brewing, and Circus Sideshow Freaks to Make Shmaltz Brewing Company an International Success.” Cowan will be in Missoula on Wednesday, Nov. 23, at Fact & Fiction, 220 North Higgins Ave., from 5 to 7 p.m. where he will read and host a beer tasting. An after-party is to follow at the Rhino where several of Schmaltz’s beers will be on tap.
It’s not every day you have the chance to rub elbows with the owner of one of the best breweries in world, at least one that’s not based in Missoula.
Here’s a little about his book:
In his small business memoir, Jeremy Cowan divulges how he took on the craft beer world and ultimately created one of the most respected niche brands in the country. Craft Beer Bar Mitzvah tracks Cowan’s evolution from the earliest days of hand squeezing pomegranates and delivering 100 cases of hand-bottled HE’BREW Beer to winning awards 13 years later at top U.S. craft beer festivals. This meaningful, insightful and often hilarious memoir takes readers on a wild ride with the head of today’s most successful and decorated Jewish Celebration Freak Show Craft Brewery.
- Matt Pritchard
Glacier Brewing Co. releases Winter’s Nite Smoked Porter
Just received an email from David Ayers, head brewer at Glacier Brewing Co., about a new seasonal beer that’s on tap now in Polson. Winter’s Nite Smoked Porter is an imperial smoked porter that “weighs in around 8.9% (alcohol) by volume and has a deep, rich smokiness wrapped around a very well-balanced porter!” It’s only available in pints right now, but if you like it well enough you might be able to fill a growler next week.
I haven’t had a chance to try this. Has anyone out there taken it for a spin?
- Matt Pritchard
Draught Works holding grand opening all day Saturday
Draught Works, the newest addition to Missoula’s craft-beer scene, has been open for just over a month, but it’s getting a proper opening on Saturday, Nov. 12, from noon until 8 p.m. There will be music by Bozeman blues artist Shea Stewart, a free pig roast, door prizes and special events for the kids. If you haven’t been there in a while, they now have five beers on tap: Scepter Head IPA, Clothing Optional pale ale, Gwin Du stout, Shawdow Caster alt and Quill Pig pilsner. Head over to 915 Toole Ave. and join the fun.
Also, it’s Friday, the best day of the week, so here’s a song from Youth Lagoon out of Boise, Idaho, for the weekend.
- Matt Pritchard
New Belgium’s Clips of Faith raises more than $2K for Missoula nonprofit
New Belgium Brewing’s Clips of Faith film and beer tour, which made a stop in Missoula in August, announced that it raised nearly $59,000 for nonprofits across the U.S. Figures out of the Garden City show the brewery helped bring in $2,269 for the Bike/Walk Alliance for Missoula and around 550 people attended the event. Submissions for next year’s showcase are already being accepted, so dust off that camcorder and get to work:
If you are a filmmaker, or an aspiring filmmaker, and would like to be part of New Belgium’s 2012 Clips of Faith tour, entries are now being accepted at www.clipsoffaith.com. To take a look at some of the winning films from 2011, visit www.clipsoffaith.com.
- Matt Pritchard
Dudes at Big Sky Brewing growing mustaches to raise awareness about cancer
Dubbed “Movember,” the men of Big Sky Brewing are putting away their upper-lip razors to get mustachioed in an effort to raise awareness and money for cancers that affect men.
This is second year the guys over at the brewery have taken on this hairy challenge.
On Nov. 1, the generally bearded crew shows up clean shaven. The Movember team will spend the following 30 days growing, grooming, and pridefully sporting their new mustaches for cancer. The event’s official rules prohibit beards and goatees.
To donate to the cause, check out www.threesevenseventyseven.com.
May the stache be with you.
- Matt Pritchard