Big Sky Brewing, Brennan’s Wave work to keep water fun
Big Sky Brewing has announced that they are teaming up with Brennan’s Wave to help repair some natural damage that has occurred over the years. The brewery will donate $1 for each case equivalent of beer sold throughout Missoula County in February and $1 for every Moose Drool growler sale. Pretty easy: drink beer, save water features.
Big Sky Brewing photo on Facebook creates uproar
The Great Falls Tribune wrote a story about this photo that has apparently raised quite a stir on Big Sky Brewing’s Facebook page. The photo, which was posted on Dec. 15, shows a Big Sky Brewing employee holding up a mountain lion she killed. The photo has nearly 100 shares, 450 likes and 320 comments and counting. There’s been some strong reaction from people both for and against the photo. The comments can be read here or you can check out the story, which highlights some of the most heated comments.
I guess living in Montana has desensitized me to pictures of dead animals. I don’t hunt, but I see nothing wrong with the photo. Just a month or two ago I saw a bloody elk head in someone’s truck outside of the Kettlehouse, so this is really nothing.
- Matt Pritchard
Imagine Missoula, Big Sky Brewing ready All Souls 2012 Christmas Edition
Hard to believe it’s already that time of the year again.
Imagine Missoula and Big Sky Brewing are gearing up to release the latest version of All Souls Ale, the 2012 Christmas Edition. All profits from the limited-edition brew go toward Imagine Missoula, a nonprofit “working to make Missoula better than it already is.”
If it seems like the last version was only released a few months ago, well, you’re right. Because of a brewing issue last year, Big Sky made the 2012 All Souls Easter Edition, a Dark Tripel, in April and now has the 2012 All Souls Christmas Edition ready for release. This version is again an Imperial Saison, like the original, punching in at about 11 percent alcohol by volume.
There are only 100 cases up for grabs, although at least 26 cases have already been sold. The 750 ml bottles sell for $14, half-cases go for $84 and cases for $168. If you want to place an order, call Nina Alviar at (406) 546-4697.
The release party is Friday, Dec. 7, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Big Sky taproom. There will be food, music by Tom Catmull and the Clerics and, of course, beer. They ask that you RSVP if you’re interested.
Can’t make it? Don’t fret. The beer will also be on tap at Big Sky after Dec. 7.
- Matt Pritchard
Check out Willamette Week’s awesome President of Beers
Willamette Week, an alternative weekly in the Portland area that covers news and culture, has a great series going on right now on its website entitled the President of Beers. WW managed to acquire “flagship” beers from each state, meaning the signature beer from a given state’s biggest brewery, not necessarily the best, as it points out. And as writer Martin Cizmar says, probably broke some laws in the process. After laboring to get all those beers from all those states, the weekly rounded up 12 tasters to blindly try all the beers and rank them on a scale of 1-100.
The countdown began on Aug. 24 and the first 5 (meaning the worst 5) are as follows:
50. Pennsylvania: Yuengling Lager
49. Maine: Shipyard Export Ale
48. Louisiana: Abita Purple Haze
47. Texas: Shiner Bock
46. West Virginia: Bridge Brew Works Belgian-Style Tripel
The countdown goes until Oct. 3, when the top 10 and the winner will be revealed. I encourage you to go and check it out, it’s definitely a cool way to rank beers.
As for Montana, I can only guess that Moose Drool gets picked. It’s the signature beer from Big Sky Brewing Co., after all.
Update:: Montana comes in at No. 16 with Big Sky Brewing’s Moose Drool.
- Matt Pritchard
Wilco, Blitzen Trapper to play Big Sky Brewing on June 28
Big Sky Brewing Co. has started to announce the lineup for the 2012 Big Sky Brewing Summer Concert Series, and while I wasn’t as excited about the first act (Primus on June 17), I’m ecstatic about whose coming Thursday, June 28 – Wilco!
The show was announced Monday and tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. It’ll set you back $44, and if you’re a fan I’m sure you’ll have no problem parting with the cash. You can get tickets on Friday by clicking here, calling 1-877-435-9849 or going to Rockin Rudy’s or Big Sky Brewing.
In case you forgot some of the rules from last year, here’s the concert series FAQ.
- Matt Pritchard
All Souls 2012 edition ready for release
The All Souls 2012 Easter Edition is set to be released this week, as I’m sure those who purchased a bottle at the Missoula Winter Brew Fest already know. If you missed out, don’t fret. You can still place an order by emailing christian.cryder@gmail.com, or RSVP (again by emailing christian.cryder@gmail.com) to attend the release party on Thursday from 6-9 p.m. at Bg Sky Brewing. There will be food (thus the RSVP) and music by Tom Catmull and the Clerics. Bottles of the 750ml Dark Tripel (rather than the Imperial Saison of the first release) sell for $14 and help raise money for Imagine Missoula.
All Souls Ale is back, and it’s better than ever! The folks at Big Sky Brewing Co. have brewed a brand new style for 2012, and the results are amazing – a daring Dark Tripel that marries Belgian yeast with bold American hops to create a truly stunning Easter Ale, loaded with hints of cirtus fruit. It’s a 10.8% wonder that’s fit for a king!
While it will be released in time for Easter, All Souls Ale can be enjoyed throughout the year (like wine it improves with age!). This is a very limited edition run (only 100 cases total!), and it makes great holiday gifts. Plus, ALL the profits help Imagine Missoula meet real needs right here in Missoula! Last year’s All Souls Ale generated over $7,000! Wow!
- Matt Pritchard
Big Sky runs into issue with All Souls, delayed until April
I’ve been looking forward to what would have been the 2011 version of All Souls Ale from Big Sky Brewing – especially after having a few glasses of the first batch over the past few weeks – and it looks like I’ll have to wait a bit longer. A friend told me Big Sky ran into trouble with the latest batch (supposedly issues with carbonation), and indeed the release date has been changed to April. On the bright side, in addition to April, Big Sky is on track to release the beer in 750 ml bottles again in December.
- Matt Pritchard
Montana brewers represent at Great American Beer Festival
The Great American Beer Festival, one of the largest celebrations of ales and lagers in the U.S., is under way now through Saturday in Denver. More than 2,400 beers from more than 450 brewers are on hand, including at least seven Montana breweries: Big Sky Brewing, Flathead Lake Brewing, Great Northern Brewing, Red Lodge Ales, Montana Brewing Company, Madison River Brewing and Carter’s Brewing. Best of luck to all. (more…)
Decemberists at Big Sky Brewing, Bitterroot Brewfest on tap this weekend
Another good weekend for beer lovers in western Montana, with a great band on Friday and a brewfest on Saturday.
First off, the Decemberists are coming back to town on Friday to play the Big Sky Brewing Amphitheater. Last I checked, tickets are still available on TicketFly.com for $30 plus fees. Should be (fingers crossed) a great night for some folksy rock.
On Saturday, the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the 17th annual Bitterroot Brewfest from 3 to 10 p.m. The festivities will be held across from Legion Park on Bedford in downtown Hamilton. Music will be courtesy of Joan Zen (4-6 p.m.) and Keegan Smith & the Fam (7-10 p.m.). Tickets are $20 for a glass and three drinks. Around 30 beers will be on tap, and among them, Bitter Root Brewing will be pouring Imperial I.P.A., Huckleberry Honey Ale and American Hefeweizen, and Bayern Brewing will have Dragon’s Breath Dark Hefe, Dump Truck Summer Bock and a surprise beer, according to the Bitterroot Brewfest Facebook page.
Drink up, be safe and have fun.
- Matt Pritchard
Second time’s the charm for Big Sky Brewing’s Summer Concert Series
I was lucky enough to go and see Brandi Carlile and Ray LaMontagne on Monday night and happy to say that not only was the show great, but all the woes of the first Modest Mouse concert at Big Sky Brewing Co. were cleared up. The lines for the bathroom were no problem, and the lines for the beer tickets and beer were manageable. In fact, I think the longest line might have been for Famous Daves, which seemed a bit odd.
Not being a huge fan of either Brandi Carlile or Ray LaMontagne I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised, especially with Brandi. I’ve been told she puts on a good show, and those people were right.
It’s good to see the issues were all cleared up and I’m glad there’s music playing once again at the brewery, which is perhaps the best venue in Missoula.
Here’s the list of upcoming shows that have been announced:
July 21 - Slightly Stoopid with Rebelution
July 22 - The Decemberists with Typhoon
Aug. 27 - Volbeat with Cold and Anchored
Sept. 11 - Pretty Lights with Latyrx, Mimosa and Vibesquad
See you at the Decemberists.
- Matt Pritchard