Big Sky Brewing founders discuss brewery’s origins
Neal Leathers and Bjorn Nabozney, two of the founders of Big Sky Brewing Co., recently gave a talk at IdeaMensch Missoula about the process of starting the brewery. They have some great insight for anyone thinking about getting into the craft-beer industry or really just looking to start any business.
IdeaMensch focuses on bringing entrepreneurial ideas to life and took place in Missoula on July 13.
- Matt Pritchard
Introducing Cold Honey; aka the Missoula Black & Tan
Missoula in known for a number of greats: scenery, people, fishing and (of course) microbrews.
Two of my favorite local beers are Cold Smoke and Summer Honey, from Kettlehouse Brewing Co. and Big Sky Brewing Co., respectively. Both are great for different reasons, and in case you’ve been living in the cave above Mount Sentinel, here’s a quick breakdown:
• Cold Smoke is a dark Scotch Ale imbued with roasted barley, giving it a “smoky” flavor.
• Summer Honey is of lighter fare, combining Northwest hops and Montana honey.
Being a notorious tinkerer, I decided to mix the two one night while barbecuing with the fam. The result? Quite possibly the best beer I’ve ever experienced. The two brews balance each other perfectly, dancing on the palate before smoothly slipping away.
I highly recommend that you stop reading this and immediately make your own. … But be warned: The blend is so fantastic that you may have a hard time drinking anything else. Seriously.
The tentative name for this delightful mix is Cold Honey, but here are some alternatives for your enjoyment:
• Summer Smoke – Depending on our fire season, this one may take the top slot.
• Missoula Black & Tan – Not as smooth on the tongue, but has the potential to unite the clans.
• Austin Ale – Shameless promo for the inventor, but clever use of the “AA” abbreviation.
Whatever you call it, please enjoy responsibly. And fret not, Jürgen, as I am sure there will be a Bayern blend very soon!
- Rod Austin is a Missoula native and local beer enthusiast. Reach him at rod.austin (at) gmail.com
Barbecue festival benefit hits Big Sky Brewing Co. on June 30
It’s about that time of year for the annual Big Sky BBQ Festival over at Big Sky Brewing Co. The festivities get going on Saturday, June 30, from 3 until 9 p.m. as part of a fundraiser for the Montana Food Bank Network. The cost is $4 and children 12 and under get in free.
Great Food: Eat some of Montana’s best mouthwatering BBQ from a variety of local BBQ!
- Finn and Porter
- Outback Steakhouse
- Lee Burns BBQ
- Longriders BBQ
- Mullan Station
- Burns Street Bistro
- Coldstone Creamery
Great Drinks: Big Sky Brewing Company products and water, and pop.
Free Kid’s Area: Featuring Jump 4 Joy’s inflatable jumper playhouse.
Great Music: Enjoy live music by:
- Tom Catmull and the Clerics
- Zeppo MT
- Cash for Junkers
- Mudslide Charlie
Also of note to all those fans out there, Big Sky Brewing Co.’s website has a new look. Check it out.
- Matt Pritchard
20th annual Garden City Brewfest takes over Caras Park on May 5
The 20th annual Garden City Brewfest will once again set up shop in Caras Park on Saturday, May 5, from noon until 8 p.m. There will be more than 60 beers available, including brews from new breweries around Montana such as Higherground Brewing Co., Bowser Brewing Co. and Wildwood Brewing Co. A 7-ounce glass is $10 and comes with two drink tokens, each extra token is $1. Music will be courtesy of Russ Nasset, Lil Smokies and Sick Kids XOXO.
Hit the jump for a partial listing of beers courtesy of the Missoula Downtown Association: (more…)
Missoula Craft Beer Week begins today
The Missoula Downtown Association and the guys over at Growler Fills have come together to create the inaugural Missoula Craft Beer Week. There are events all week, including a screening of “The Love of Beer” a documentary that details women in the craft beer industry, which takes place Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Wilma.
If you didn’t have a reason to drink beer this week, better clear your calendar and help celebrate the brews of the Garden City.
- Matt Pritchard
‘Drinking Made Easy, Missoula’ hits airwaves Feb. 29
Mark your calendar. Zane Lamprey’s “Drinking Made Easy” featuring Missoula airs Wednesday, Feb. 29, at 6 p.m. In the show, Lamprey and sidekick Steve McKenna hit up the Iron Horse, Big Sky Brewing, the Rhino with Bayern Brewing’s Jürgen Knöller, Reds, Bodega and the Testicle Festival. If you’re not familiar with the show, the premise is pretty simple: you watch Lamprey and McKenna drink … a lot. There’s also a drinking game involved, pleepleus and some witty banter.
I checked out a preview and the episode is definitely worth watching if you get a chance. The show airs on HDNet , which is available on DirecTV and Dish Network, so set you DVR.
- Matt Pritchard
Bleacher Report loves Big Sky Brewing Co.
Bleacher Report is counting down the weeks to the start of the 2012 college football season with, you guessed it, beer. The site has 30 beers for the 30 weeks that remain and among the picks are Moose Drool, Big Sky IPA, Scape Goat and Trout Slayer. Check out the full 30 here.
- Matt Pritchard
Baucus holds first Small Brewers Caucus meeting
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
Big Sky Brewing Co. Space Goat
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
Big Sky Brewing to release IPA in cans
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