SaveOnBrew.com, which dubs itself as the “world’s only beer price-search engine,” has this crazy infographic up about how much beer Americans will consume on Super Bowl Sunday – 50 million cases.

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

This week, Sen. Max Baucus held the first meeting of the Small Brewers Caucus, which he co-chairs with Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo. The caucus aims to showcase issues important to craft brewers and push those issues forward. Montana’s barley and the role it plays in the brewing industry was the focus of this week’s meeting:

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

The Missoula Winter BrewFest returns for its second year on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 2 to 8 p.m., this time at the old Safeway building on West Broadway next to St. Patrick Hospital. Cost is $10 for a 7-ounce glass and two tokens, and $1 per token thereafter. The Missoula Downtown Association expects more than 30 beers to be on hand with wine, food and live music available.

If this year’s event is anything like last year, I recommend heading to the BrewFest early to avoid the likely packed house. I don’t think I even received a glass last year, pretty sure it was a plastic cup.

- Matt Pritchard

Kettlehouse Brewing Co. on the Northside of Missoula has swapped smaller tanks for some bigger ones. Kettle replaced a conditioning tank and a fermentation tank, which each held 40 barrels, with tanks that can hold up to 90 barrels. Owner Tim O’Leary told the Missoulian:

“This is primarily to give us some relief at high-production times and free up our scheduling so our days aren’t so long.”

As for the expansion, O’Leary goes on to say:

“We don’t have much space in here. We picked this (Northside) building to get up to 10,000 barrels because that’s what the law says we can have. Now we’re kind of there and built out.”

Read the full story here.

- Matt Pritchard

Note: To clarify the Kettlehouse story in the Missoulian, Big Sky Brewing isn’t the only brewery that can exceed the 10,000 barrel limit, any brewery could exceed that number. But the law states that if a brewery wants to sell beer to be consumed inside the taproom, then they can’t exceed the 10,000 barrel limit. That’s why Big Sky has free samples. Complicated much?

I grew up outside of Chicago and even after living in Montana for more than 15 years I’m still a White Sox fan. So when I saw that Frank Thomas has his own craft beer I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to post something about it.

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

Popped open a bottle of Dogfish Head’s Pangaea the other day, which I bought last March in Arizona. The idea behind it was to make a beer that contains ingredients from every continent: crystallized ginger from Australia, water from Antarctica, basmati rice from Asia, muscavado sugar from Africa, European yeast and North American maize.

Here’s Dogfish Head’s Sam Calagione explaining the beer:

After trying the beer, I’m honestly not sure what to say. It was a little bitter and a little sour with notes of the ginger coming through. I don’t think I was quite prepared for it. If you find it on your travels when it’s available, then take the plunge. But be warned, it’s definitely unique.

- Matt Pritchard

Missoula’s Draught Works is gearing up to host the first official Frosters Anonymous party on Friday, Jan. 27., in an effort to bring a little warmth to our neck of the woods.

So what is Frosters Anonymous?  Well … it’s “a new thing where you pretend to act like the weather is nice (and) take a photo of yourself.” (Read more here.)

On Friday from noon to 8 p.m., Draught Works will make its patio look like a beach and is asking everyone to take part by dressing up like it’s summer and displaying their favorites summer activities. Those who do will get their picture taken and a free pint to boot.

Sweet, now I can dust off my Speedo.

- Matt Pritchard

The 18th annual Micro Brew Review and Cool Dog Ball heads to the Helena Civic Center Ballroom on Friday, Jan. 27, as part of a fundraiser for the Race to the Sky sled dog race. Seventeen breweries will be on hand, including Blackfoot River Brewing, Lewis & Clark Brewery, Big Sky, Bayern, Bitter Root Brewing, Harvest Moon, Beaver Creek and more. Tickets are $18 in advance and can be purchased in Helena at Bert & Ernie’s, Topper’s Cellar, The Overland Express, Staggering Ox, The Man Stores and the Downtown Helena Office, or they are $20 at the door. Music will be courtesy of Destiny and Johnny Rawls and festivities get started at 6 p.m. and last until 11:30 p.m..

And just a note, the dog above has decided not to compete in the race.

- Matt Pritchard

Big Sky Brewing Co. has a far out take on one of their staples.

Cleverly called Space Goat, the beer is a variation of Scape Goat brewed with galaxy hops. That may sound familiar from another excellent beer that Flathead Lake Brewing Co. put out over the summer, Galaxy Pale Ale. Galaxy hops are an Australian variety that bring heavy doses of citrus flavors to beer. The difference can really be tasted in Space Goat, imparting pineapple and grapefruit and a burst of hops into Big Sky’s traditional pale ale.

Space Goat can only be had at the taproom in Missoula and there are no plans, at least for now, of bottling the beer. It’s in limited supply (around four to five kegs left) and it’s been pretty popular, so don’t wait. Plus, it’s free to taste.

- Matt Pritchard

Higherground Brewing Co.

Finally got the chance to head over to the Bitterroot Valley’s newest brewery, Higherground Brewing Co., over the weekend. The brewery, located in Hamilton at 518 N. First St., opened about a month ago and has a bit of different feel. It seems more like a cafe with a brewery inside, with checkerboard floors and wooden tables throughout. On the Saturday afternoon that I was in there, plenty of families stopped by not to drink but to have some wood-fired pizza that’s available in the brewery. The pizza is pretty good, by the way.

Higherground has six beers on tap, although not all may be available at any one time. Why’s that, you say? Well, because demand has been so strong the brewery is struggling to keep up. Our pourer said the brewing system at the brewery is one of the smallest in the state and they’ve been trying to gauge what’s selling and what’s not before committing too much to any one beer. There’s been such demand that they’ve been limiting growler sales so they don’t run out of what’s on tap.

The beers according to Higherground:

Dry Fly IPA: An American-style IPA loaded with cascade, willamette and centennial hops and a balancing malt background. ABV 5.5 percent.

Waist Deep Wheat: A Belgian-style wheat ale. Pale in appearance with coriander and orange peels. ABV 5.3 percent.

Flash Flood Milk Stout: Dark, rich roastiness with a milk chocolate sweetness. ABV 6 percent.

Clear Water Crystal Ale: Light, crisp and refreshing. Clear Water is our sessionable, easy drinking ale. ABV 5.4 percent.

Base Camp Irish Red Ale: Toasted malt character, medium hoppiness with a sweet finish and copper hue. ABV 5.7 percent.

Hurruh Scotch Ale: Smoky, earthy aromas lead way to rich maltiness and carmel sweetness. A dark brown appearance with ruby highlights. ABV 6 percent.

If you want to try them all, you can for $5.

To me, the highlights so far are the Dry Fly IPA, which is their biggest seller, and the Flash Flood Milk Stout. Dry Fly has a nice burst of citrusy hops and a smooth finish, while the Flash Flood is as advertised, rich and roasty. My girlfriend was partial to the Irish Red Ale.

Higherground also has a mug club that’s getting going. For $30 a year you get $1 beers every Wednesday and special goodies on your birthday.

Bottom line: Higherground Brewing is a nice mix of good beer and good food that adds up to a winning, and fun, combination.

Tasters

Flash Flood Milk Stout

Base Camp Irish Red Ale

Dry Fly IPA

Inside Higherground Brewing

Hawaiian

- Matt Pritchard

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