2012 Garden City Brewfest winners

So this is a bit late, but like they say, better late than never (plus I’ve had finals).

The 20th annual Garden City Brewfest was held last Saturday at Caras Park as part the first Missoula Beer Week. I really need to remember to head over to these shindigs earlier. I always seem to show up around 4 or 5 p.m. and by then the good kegs are dry and the haze of alcohol has settled in on most everyone except me. Anyway, from what I saw there was a good turnout despite the chilly weather.

Here are the winners:

Best American Ale – Ninkasi Spring Reign
Best Belgian – Flathead brewing Co. Dirty Ginger
Best Dark Ale – Ninkasi Oatmeal Stout
Best Fruit Beer – Shock Top
Best IPA – Blackfoot Brewing Co. Single Malt IPA
Best Lager – Wild Wood Brewing Co. Ambitious Lager
Best Light Ale – Glacier Brewing Co. Golden Grizzly
Best Specialty – Deschutes Brewing Co. Chainbreaker White IPA
Best of Montana – Wild Wood Brewing Co. Ambitious Lager
Best of Show – Ninkasi Oatmeal stout

If my memory serves me, I had the Clearwater Crystal Ale by Higherground Brewing, Dortmunder Export Lager by Big Sky Brewing, Stone Brewing IPA, Hippy Highway Oatmeal Stout by Lone Peak Brewing and Ninkasi’s Oatmeal Stout.

The Oatmeal Stout by Ninkasi Brewing and Big Sky’s Dortmunder definitely stood out for me. Opposite ends of the spectrum for sure.

- Matt Pritchard