Grizzly Growler

In the “golden age” of beer, as one of my friends has dubbed the current beer epoch we’re living in, you sometimes stumble on a little bit of classical art in a world of experimentation. As brewers throw every imaginable concoction into whiskey barrels or red or white wine barrels, we’re all learning together what [...]

Looks like Glacier Brewing Company is popping the cork on an aged Biere de Mars, a French/Belgian farmhouse-style ale traditionally brewed in early winter and served in the spring. If you’re in Polson and coming to Missoula, pick me up a growler. Prost, GG

I’ve enjoyed Big Sky Brewing Company’s Saison when I’ve had it from time to time. It’s a big, yeasty Saison with a lot going on. The new 406 Series, a local-only bottling of specialty beers, was kicked off with a bright and fresh Saison that although customarily, or perhaps, traditionally consumed in the summer or [...]

Driving up the Bitterroot Valley under a high, spring sun can be distracting. The jagged peaks of the mountains dancing in and out of sunlight, and the glistening river snaking along beside you can drive a man to daydream. Lucky for me I had my trusty traveling companion, my best friend whom I’ve known since [...]

As far as popular craft beer goes, Big Sky Brewing Company’s Summer Honey doesn’t just indicate a change of seasons, it actually introduces a whole way of life. My wife, for one, will be intensely happy to see this beer in growlers in our refrigerator again. Yes, spring is on the way, and this light, [...]

Until recently, mug number 98 sat dusty and forlorn on a shelf at Bitterroot Brewing. But some hard-working journalists and Grizzly Growler fans at the Ravalli Republic newspaper have been filling in for me in between my long absences from the southern Bitterroot Valley. Which is why it was funny that the server in the [...]

Those gray and imposing Missoula winter days that don’t allow for much outdoor recreation are bone chilling and depressing. Far better to sit around and catch up on your movie list or maybe build a model, if that sort of thing still is done. Toward the later part of winter, the sun seems to regain [...]

This is not the time of year for a ginormous, dry hopped, Imperial stout. Nor is it really the time of year for a huge raspberry porter, a massive barley wine, a soup-thick coffee porter or any of your favorite specialty craft ales. Don’t let me stop you from drinking those if you were planning [...]

The W’ 09 Belgian Golden Ale does not indicate another George W. Bush run for president. The W stands for the indefatigable Widmer Brothers of Portland, Oregon. This beer is blatently fantastic. It’s got all the flavor of a big Belgium blonde and the alcohol to boot. With flavors of straw, fruit, earthy yeast and [...]

It’s always fun to walk into the tap room at Big Sky Brewing Co. and find something new. Since we had a nice corned beef and cabbage in the crock pot, the wife, the daughter and I cruised over to Big Sky on St. Patrick’s Day for a little sample. Here’s what we had first: [...]