The Growler Tree
At a recent fundraiser a the Myrna Loy Theater in Helena, a “Growler Tree,” consisting of growlers from most of Montana’s participating breweries auctioned fo $1,000, according to Montana Brewers Association director Tony Herbert. I thought this was a cool idea and wanted to share the picture with you. The winner was one Christian Claeys, who will be traveling around filling his growlers soon.
The "Growler Tree"
We already know Montana is the number one beer-drinking state, seeing it on CNBC is just cool
Saw this on Big Sky Brewing Company’s Facebook Page. View the whole CNBC slideshow titled America’s Biggest Beer-Drinking States here. I find it interesting that the top 7 included most of the central and northern United States. Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota, in fact.
Montana is the number one beer-drinking state
Prost,
GG
Photo tour of the Billings craft beer scene
Unfortunately, I was only able to get away from my conference briefly, and only Montana Brewing Co. was open at that time, but I had a great conversation with head brewer Travis Zielstra and tasted a few of his new offerings.
Here’s a photo roundup to prove I’ve finally visited the Billings breweries.
Angry Hanks Brewing Co.
Angry Hanks
Carter's Brewing Co.
Carter's Brewing Co.
Montana Brewing Co.
Bourbon stout at Montana Brewing Co.
Photo blog – New Year’s Eve at Quarry Brewing Co.
If you’re going to spend a day in Butte partying, most people probably think of St. Patrick’s Day, but this past New Year’s Eve at Quarry Brewing Co. looked to be a lot of fun. Check out these pictures Chuck and Lyza posted on their Facebook site.
Chuck and Lyza, owners of Quarry Brewing Co.
A little music for the evening
The crowd on New Year's Eve
Old Glacier Brewing Co. Logo
If you didn’t know this, Glacier Brewing Co. has one of the coolest collections of old logos you’ll see. And while I’m on the subject, check out this old logo the company never used. There is something really unique about the art work used by Montana breweries.
Unused Glacier Brewing Co. logo
Prost,
GG
Quarry Brewing Co. exemplifies community in Butte
From the first time I met Chuck and Lyza, owners of Quarry Brewing Co. in Butte, I was sincerely impressed by their commitment to seeing brewing become a family tradition again. They, perhaps more than any other brewery, exemplify one of the greatest things about living in Montana. That of a community brewery where the community comes first. I grew up with this mentality in Europe, and Montana is the first state where I’ve seen hints of that. As I was browsing these pictures of Quarry’s First Annual Holiday Potluck, I was struck by the way Chuck and Lyza have spent so much time and effort reaching out to their fellow craft beer lovers in Butte. But here, see for yourself.
Quarry Brewing Co.'s First Annual Holiday Potluck
Nice angle on the Quarry Brewing Co. taproom
The community turns out for a holiday potluck at the Quarry
Chuck and Lyza and the next generation of brewers at Quarry
Prost,
GG
Indian Beer Types
Saw this picture in an Internet cafe in Calcutta.
Which one are you?
Prost,
GG
A beer in Germany
Finally got to have a beer in the Fankfurt airport. It was 8 a.m., but I figured it was noon somewhere. This hefeweizen was refreshing after two weeks in India. Sort of washed the curry taste out of things.
I wish I could’ve found an IPA in India, but it will have to remain a challenge for next trip. I’ll be going to Goa, a region where drinking is not nearly as frowned upon as in other parts.
Prost,
GG
Worth A Thousand Words?
Probably not, so I’ll just post the picture of me shooting digital HD at Glacier Brewing Co. Look for the upcoming story in Missoula.Com magazine.
Shot by the great Michael Gallacher.
Prost,
GG
Dispatches from China
Craft brew really has made it across the Pacific.
This is from my good friend Peter Bowling, a business man, philanthropist, AIDS activist working in China.
Take it away Pete -
Here’s a shot of the import beer section. There used to be just about nothing in the way of good beer here, but now we are getting more and more appearing on the shelves of these import stores. I took this picture, but almost got my head taken off by the security guard. He came at me swinging his arms hoping to get in the way before I took a snapshot… but obviously he didn’t succeed. ‘No photography in the store… there’s a sign up front…’ I glanced around, half expecting to see armed guards with dogs, and a ‘China Customs – no photography beyond this point’ sign… but there wasn’t… just regular supermarket signage. Oh well. At least they have good beer… so what if they won’t let me take pictures. I’ll just have to be more stealthy next time.
Here’s a lineup of the beers we tasted tonight… only cost me about $20 for 8 bottles of good import beer… we divided the beers between the appetizers, the meal, and post-meal. Dried fish soaked in dark vinegar is really a great choice to go with almost any beer.
This was the first one we tried, and our least favorite. I would choose a Chinese wheat beer over this, at 1/20 the cost. The actual flavor was hard to detect because it was weak, and the beer tasted flat to begin with. I only drank it down because we don’t waste beer. If there’s ever leftover beer that no one will drink, we use it in the marinade brine for the next BBQ.
This was one of our favorites, in our top 3. Not too light or heavy, and an interesting flowery flavor or aftertaste. It’s called ‘island lager’, which I guess it kind of tasted island-ish…
We were not impressed with this beer, which made it into our bottom 3. It wasn’t bad, just wouldn’t be a top choice for me. I don’t know what ‘white beer’ is supposed to taste like, but I guess this is it. It was smooth, not sharp, weak flavor, and kind of murky appearance (as its unfiltered).
I think this is the first time I have tried an ‘auburn Lager’. The color was intriguing. The picture doesn’t show clearly the distinct sharp color. The flavor was a little bit sour, and not as good as the Long Board Lager, but I would still prefer this beer above many.
This beer had a very strong flavor, high in hops, and on the higher end of alcohol (8.5%). I didn’t particularly like the boldness of it. I could tell the beer was quality, the flavor wasn’t bad, and I didn’t dislike it, but I wouldn’t likely choose it very often as it might make me full before my meal does. Somehow this filled me up faster than a heavy dark beer does.
This is one of the beers I have been fascinated by lately. It’s a ‘lambic beer’ made by Lindemans. This is the peach flavor. I like this one as a refreshing drink, but it didn’t make it into my top 3. Very sweet, sour, good full flavor, low alcohol (2.5%). I am most intrigued by the way this beer is made.
This, although it’s not a beer, was a big disappointment. The flavor seemed watery, lower alcohol than I’d expect from a cider (5%), and just overall not very tasty, not refreshing, and not worth drinking again.
Now this one… has been my favorite so far. Since the first drink I had a couple weeks ago, I have been excited about this beer. This is also a ‘lambic’ made by Lindemans, flavored with raspberries. Just the smell gives away the secret that you’re in for a treat. The deep color is amazing, the flavor is like eating a handful of sun-ripened raspberries right off the vine. Every time I finish one of these, I wish I had bought more. And I think I most certainly will…
Thanks for sharing Pete, and keep sending those dispatches from China. We love hearing that craft beer is taking over the world.
Prost,
GG