To reach that surprising conclusion, the researchers devised a bar game in which 40 men were given three words and told to come up with a fourth that fits the pattern.

For example, the word “cheese” could fit with words like “blue” or “cottage” or “Swiss.”

Half the players were given two pints. The other half got nothing.

The result? Those who imbibed solved 40% more of the problems that their sober counterparts.

Also, the drinkers finished their problems in 12 seconds while it took the non-drinkers 15.5 seconds.

While I sometimes believe I’m a bit smarter after a couple of pints, it’s hard for me to believe that’s true. If I was, I think my brain would probably tell me to avoid that third one … cheers.

Check out the full story here.

- Matt Pritchard

Beerjobber.com works with breweries and connects them with beer lovers. Users of the service can place orders from specific breweries over the site and then Beerjobber picks up the beer and ships it to your doorstep.

When I first saw this, I didn’t think it was legal. And in some states, like Montana, it isn’t. (When I asked them over Twitter they said, “Unfortunately no. MT has some of the strangest laws in the country!”)

Nonetheless, they do ship to some 38 states and they’re adding breweries all the time. So if you live outside the Big Sky, it’s worth a shot to see if they deliver to you. Prices are around $50 per case and shipping ranges from $6 to $20.

- Matt Pritchard

Adrienne Bull, a chemical engineer from Corvallis, pours a biochemical product into a vessel last September. Photo by KURT WILSON/Missoulian

Blue Marble Bio, a biotech firm with a facility in Missoula, has teamed with InBev (present owners of Anheuser-Busch) to turn brewery waste into products such as shaving cream and soap. It basically works by converting the waste into carboxylic acid, which then can be used in cleaning supplies and grooming products.

Of course, reusing the remains of the brewing process is nothing new. Often what’s left is used as livestock feed. But this process could lead to a new market for the leftovers.

Blue Marble Bio began testing waste grain from Anheuser-Busch about a year ago and is scaling up the process for a small facility in Missoula.

If all goes well, Blue Marble will develop a pilot-scale biorefinery at an Anheuser-Busch brewery at a yet to be identified location.

Read the full story here.

- Matt Pritchard

As far as the SaveOnBrew.com site is concerned, it’s limited but it does have potential. Only three stores came up when I typed in Missoula and the craft beer selection left much to be desired. But if they added Orange Street and Patte Creek Market I could see it being useful on occasion.

- Matt Pritchard

I wanted to let you know that this week we held the first ever meeting of the Senate and House Small Brewers Caucus to discuss the importance of barley to American agriculture, issues facing the industry, and barley’s critical role in developing malt essential for high quality craft beer. Barley contributes nearly a billion dollars to the U.S. economy and supports jobs in rural America. Although barley is the third largest feed grain crop in the U.S. it is increasingly used for nutritious food, malting and brewing.

I believe Montana’s barley is second to none and our craft beers are the finest in the nation. To elevate the profile of our growing number of Montana small brewers who are creating jobs when our state needs it most, I honored all of them as part of my “Montana Jobs Economic Engine Initiative.” Beer from one of our economic engines, Big Sky Brewing in Missoula, was showcased as we met with members of the National Barley Growers Association and the Brewers Association.

To read the full letter from Baucus, click here.

- Matt Pritchard

Unfortunately, after seeing some reviews for Big Hurt Beer, my enthusism has waned. It’s dubbed as a “crisp full-flavored imperial lager with All-Star taste and a smooth finish,” which is a bit cheesy. Plus, it comes in a 24 oz. can, so that’s rarely a good thing when it comes to craft beer.

Nonetheless, next time in Chicago or Las Vegas (the only places Big Hurt is available) I’ll no doubt have to give it a shot.

- Matt Pritchard

Lewis and Clark Brewery’s Sean Tobin, left, and Gary Hicks help guide in one of two new tanks that arrived Tuesday from Portland, Ore. Photo by Eliza Wiley/Independent Record

We here in Montana are lucky. Not only are new breweries opening up all around us, such as Higherground Brewing, Bowser Brewing, Draught Works and 406 Brewing Co., but existing breweries are expanding just as rapidly. Lewis and Clark Brewing in Helena is one of those places. The brewery last year moved into a new and much larger location, and just this week installed some new tanks in one their first moves to meet growing demand for their beer. Hit the jump for the full story from the Helena Independent Record.

By BUTCH LARCOMBE Helena Independent Record
Workers at Lewis and Clark Brewing guided two large, blue-clad tanks through the door Tuesday, the first step in expanding production and the diversity of the beer that flows from the Helena brewery.
“We are just really excited to be able to grow our operation,” said Sean Tobin, the head brewer at Lewis and Clark.
The tanks were shipped from a manufacturer in Portland, Ore. One, called a “brite beer” tank, is for storage of beer before it is placed in kegs, cans or other dispensers. The other big tank, with a cone-shaped bottom, is for fermentation. Between the two tanks, the brewery’s capacity will increase noticeably.
“We will be able to produce quite a bit more beer,” Tobin said. “There were some issues with us being able to meet the demand in some outlying areas and here in Helena.”
In 2011, Lewis and Clark moved its brewing operation from a location below the Brewhouse restaurant on Lyndale to the former Columbia Paint warehouse on Dodge Avenue. The move provided significantly more room for brewing, and also an expanded taproom, where the brewery sells beer directly to consumers.
The larger home, coupled with the addition of a canning operation, has pushed the need for more production capacity. With beer available in cans, “we have definitely gone through more product than we anticipated,” Tobin said.
Lewis and Clark’s growth mirrors a statewide trend among small brewers, said Tony Herbert, who heads the Montana Brewers Association. Four new breweries started operation in 2011, he said, pushing the total to 23 statewide. Those brewers produce more than 75,000 barrels, or 2.3 million gallons, each year.
“I’m familiar with four or five additional breweries in the planning stages,” Herbert said.
The boom in brewing also includes expansion among existing breweries, including Lewis and Clark. Herbert said Quarry Brewing in Butte recently moved to a new, larger home, and at least one brewery in Billings is eyeing a significant expansion.
In Helena, there are two breweries, both apparently doing well. Blackfoot Brewing moved to a larger building and opened a much larger taproom a couple of years ago.
“Helena is lucky because we’ve got two of the best breweries in the state right here in town,” Tobin said.
On a per-capita basis, Montana is among the leaders in the U.S. in number of breweries, likely trailing only Vermont.
“I believe right now we are No. 2 and moving towards No. 1,” Herbert said.

- Matt Pritchard

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

Bonfire Brewing out of Eagle, Colo., has jumped on the Tim Tebow bandwagon with its “Tebrew” barley wine. The logo features “a man crouching as if in prayer but holding up a mug of beer, with the tagline ‘The Sunday Sipper.’ ” Is there anything Tebow can’t do? No. Here’s the story via the Associated Press:

EAGLE, Colo. – A beer inspired by Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow has produced big interest for a small brewery in Colorado’s mountains.
Bonfire Brewing’s “Tebrew” is a barley wine, a high-alcohol type of beer. Tebrew has a logo featuring a man crouching as if in prayer but holding up a mug of beer, with the tagline “The Sunday Sipper.“
Bonfire Brewing, in Eagle, Colo., plans to enter the barley wine for competition at the Jan. 7 Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival in Vail. The Vail Daily reports that after the brewery put the logo on its Facebook page, calls started pouring in seeking the limited brew.
“It’s been great for the brewery, great for Eagle and great for the state,” brewery co-founder Andy Jessen said.
Jessen acknowledged that he doesn’t know whether Tebow drinks beer or not. He said the brew is more about fans and football than the player.
“It’s just a good time to be in Colorado and be a football fan here,” Jessen said.
Brewery owners say they’re flattered by the attention, but the batch is only 150 gallons. “Tebrew” is available only at the festival and at the small brewery’s tasting room, in 10 ounce servings.
“In the style of 4th quarter heroics, we’re waiting until the last minute to serve it up,” according to the brewery’s Facebook description of Tebrew.
The brewery is also selling T-shirts and mugs featuring the logo.

- Matt Pritchard

According to the Great Falls Tribune, if Carroll wins its second title in a row, the Montana lawmaker will receive a growler from Harrison’s Brewery in Orland Park, Ill. If Saint Xavier prevails, Rehberg will deliver Lipinski two six-packs of Lewis & Clark Amber from the Helena brewery.

This isn’t the first time a Montana congressman has put Lewis & Clark beer up for collateral in a bet over a Carroll College championship game. Last year, Sen. Max Baucus made a similar wager with Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota.

The game kicks off Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and will supposedly be televised on the CBS Sports Network.

- Matt Pritchard

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