Missoula breweries, Tavern Association team up to distribute special brews
Missoula breweries and the Missoula County Tavern Owner’s Association are joining forces to brew up and distribute specialty beers twice a year with proceeds going toward Missoula charities.
The Garden City Community Brew project features all four of Missoula’s breweries, Bayern, Kettlehouse, Big Sky and Draught Works, and the unique brews will be available in about 20 bars. The first installment is a Black IPA brewed at Draught Works. Brewing will begin on Dec. 5 and the beer is scheduled to be available Friday, Dec. 21.
The Tavern Owner’s Association members and Missoula breweries have already donated about $4,000 that will go to help the Missoula Food Bank. It’s nice to see our breweries and bars coming together for a worthy cause.
You can grab a pint at:
- Al’s & Vic’s
- Bodega
- Brooks & Browns
- The Depot
- Double Front Lounge
- Eagles
- Elbow Room
- Iron Horse Brew Pub
- James Bar
- Joker’s Wild
- The Keep
- Montana Club (both locations)
- Mo Club
- Paradise Falls
- Red’s Bar
- The Rhino
- Rowdy’s Cabin
- Sean Kelly’s
- Stone of Accord
- Matt Pritchard
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
Happy Fourth of July! Sit back, relax and keep it local
Linda Thompson/Missoulian
It seems like every year it takes forever for summer to hit these parts of the Northwest, but when it’s here it’s brilliant. The sun, the water and the mountains make it so. Plus, we’re also pretty lucky to have some world-class craft beer in our midst.
So when celebrating our Independence Day this year, remember to keep the beer local. Have a Summer Honey on the dock, a Double Haul on the river, a St. Wilber Weizen in the backyard, a growler of Clothing Optional Pale Ale on the deck or myriad other craft beer options made in Montana and the U.S.
Happy Fourth of July. Be safe and have some fun.
- 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
Dudes at Big Sky Brewing growing mustaches to raise awareness about cancer
Dubbed “Movember,” the men of Big Sky Brewing are putting away their upper-lip razors to get mustachioed in an effort to raise awareness and money for cancers that affect men.
This is second year the guys over at the brewery have taken on this hairy challenge.
On Nov. 1, the generally bearded crew shows up clean shaven. The Movember team will spend the following 30 days growing, grooming, and pridefully sporting their new mustaches for cancer. The event’s official rules prohibit beards and goatees.
To donate to the cause, check out www.threesevenseventyseven.com.
May the stache be with you.
- Matt Pritchard
Big Sky Brewing Amphitheater one of top 100 in world
This year, Big Sky Brewing Co. resurrected its Summer Concert Series and new figures show just how popular the move was. According to Pollstar, the Big Sky Brewing Amphitheater ranked 96th worldwide from Jan. 1 until Sept. 30 for amphitheater ticket sales with 13,211. The No. 1 spot on the list belongs to Red Rocks in Morrison, Colo., with 359,443 in tickets sales.
With bands like Modest Mouse, The Decemberists and Ray LaMontagne, it’s no wonder the concert series was successful. Throw in some craft beer and you have a recipe for success. Hopefully, Big Sky Brewing can continue to build upon what they’ve created. Can’t wait to see what’s in store next year.
- Matt Pritchard
Video: Big Sky Brewing bottling All Souls Ale
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the bottling of Big Sky Brewing’s 2011 All Souls Ale, courtesy of the brewery:
- Matt Pritchard
Big Sky BBQ Festival gets rolling Saturday
Big Sky Brewing Co. will host its very own barbecue festival this Saturday from 3 to 9 p.m. at the brewery on Trumpeter Way. There will be food, beer, free activities for kids and music by Tom Catmull and the Clerics, Russ Nasset and the Revelators, Zeppo MT and House of Quist. Best of all, the proceeds go to help the Montana Food Bank Network.
Sounds like a nice little Saturday.
UPDATE: Here are some updates on the fest from Big Sky Brewing:
- Matt Pritchard
Big Sky Brewing Co. ‘Brewsletter’ for June 2011
It’s the beginning of the month so that means it’s time for Big Sky Brewing Co.’s video newsletter. This month’s clip has information on the Big Sky Brewing Concert Series, water restoration and some new beers. Sit back and enjoy, and congrats Alix!
- Matt Pritchard
Big Sky Brewing Co. ‘Brewsletter’ for May 2011: Mexican Lager
Can’t believe it is May already.
This month’s Big Sky Brewing “Brewsletter” is odd, but I found myself smiling during it. Mexican Lager and the Big Sky Brewing Summer Concert Series are the topics of interest. Check it out, it’s worth a view.
- Matt Pritchard