Missoula company buys Butte distributor

Not much to do about craft beer, but beer news nonetheless.

Missoula-based Zip Beverage Co. recently completed its purchase of Butte’s Thompson Distributing Inc., which has been in business since 1976. The Montana Standard reports the Thompson family decided to sell after seeing the trend of small distributors being bought up by larger companies in the wake of InBev’s acquisition of Anheuser-Busch in 2008. With the sale, Zip will expand to Dillon, Twin Bridges, Three Forks and Butte, and projects to have annual sales of 2 million cases of beer per year.

Read the full story here.

- Matt Pritchard

Butte’s Quarry Brewing moves into new location

Looks like Quarry Brewing’s new location is a go. According to their Facebook page, the building at 124 W. Broadway in Butte has been approved and beer is now flowing.

QUARRY BREWING NOW OPEN!!!! BE THE FIRST ONE TO GET A PINT AT OUR NEW LOCATION – 124 W BROADWAY!!! As of 2:45 pm Thursday, September 29 2011 we finally got our licenses approved!!! Mug Club Party Tonight – bring a friend!!! Ironstone IPA Now on Tap!!! Get it while you can; it won’t last long!!!

- Matt Pritchard

St. Patrick’s Day fun: Quarry Brewing, Missoula Firkin Tour

Illustration by Detroit Free Press

I’ve been to the St. Patrick’s Day party in Butte only once, and I think that’s about all I can handle. I made it until about 5 p.m. and then the fun got the best of me.

Anyway, if you can pace yourself better than me, and you’re heading to Butte on Thursday, stop by Quarry Brewing. They’ll be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will have specials on Emerald Isle (green beer) and Sandstone Stout. It’s also kilt day, anyone who wears a kilt into the brewery gets $1 off each pint.

In Missoula, Bayern Brewing is hosting a Firkin Tour, with firkins filled with Killarney Red Lager. Here’s the schedule:

- Matt Pritchard

Quarry Brewing to expand, move into Butte’s Grand Hotel

Butte’s only craft brewery is getting bigger.

Chuck and Lyza Schnabel, owners of Quarry Brewing, purchased the 10,000 square foot Grand Hotel on Monday afternoon, a six story building in uptown Butte located at 124 W. Broadway, just a few blocks from the current brewery.

The Schanbels plan to start remodeling in two to four weeks and hope to have the brewery up and running by the end of the summer.

The new area will dwarf the size of its current digs, with the bottom floor housing the brewery and taproom. Chuck said the setup will double the size of the brewery to 600 square feet, which will eventually lead to increased distribution in Butte, Bozeman and other areas, plus possibly a bottling operation. The taproom will expand as well, with about 2,500 square feet of space.

The couple also have grand plans for the other floors. Chuck said he looking to lease out a portion of the first floor to a coffee shop, and hopes to put a restaurant and lounge in there. The second floor will be a bed and breakfast with 10 rooms, in the theme of McMenamins in Portland, Ore. The third and fourth floors will be turned into condos, and Chuck hopes to turn the fifth floor into a space for his family. The entire project will last about 10 years, he said.

It’s a big move for a brewery that’s only been around for three and a half years. Chuck said with the purchase he can now truly focus on growing the business, and there’s nowhere to go but up.

- Matt Pritchard

Weekend excursion through Quarry, Lone Peak

I’m back in the office after a nice, long weekend of beer and snowboarding at Moonlight Basin and Big Sky. The weather cooperated and we had some great snow.

On Friday evening, my girlfriend and I stopped by Quarry Brewing in Butte. I’ve had their beer before but never had the chance to visit the taproom. Head brewer and owner Chuck Schnabel was nice enough to take me through the beers on tap, in between serving the thirsty crowd.

A couple that stood out were the Open Cab Copper, an Irish Ale that’s well balanced and slightly sweet, and the Gneiss IPA, an American-style India Pale Ale with citrus undertones that reminded me a lot of Big Swell IPA from Maui Brewing Co. The most exotic beer on tap was the Smokey Quartz Rauch, which lives up to its name. It packs a sweet, smoky flavor that’s interesting, but I couldn’t see myself finishing a pint of it.

On Sunday, we hit up Lone Peak Brewery in Big Sky and it was a less-than-memorable experience. I’ve been to Lone Peak before and had a great time. The beer is tasty and the space boasts a shuffleboard table –  always an added bonus. I had the new Sheepeater Bock, which has an amber hue and a black liquorice finish, and the Headplant Pale Ale, an inviting blend of malt and hops that’s very easy to take down.

This time around though the problem was the service. Just as I started on my second beer, the staff all decided to take shots. The area is set up so the brewery portion is split away from the restaurant/taproom, so they can serve food and liquor. Now I’m all for having a good time, but it was 6:30 p.m. and having the people pouring me craft beer turn around and down vodka just wasn’t working. It’s not going to stop me from going there again, I just may go earlier next time.

- Matt Pritchard

Celebrate New Year’s early at Quarry Brewing

Quarry Brewing is holding a New Year’s Eve party on Friday from 5-8 p.m. in their taproom. There’ll be appetizers, live music and of course their selection of fine craft beers. If you’re in Butte, ring in the new year early with a pint or two. Also, might want to check out their revamped website.

- Matt Pritchard

Butte’s Quarry Brewing introduces BASALT IBA, an India Black Ale

Just noticed that Quarry Brewing Company in Butte is playing around with an 80 IBU India Black Ale. Here’s what the brewery has to say about it:

New Beer on tap “BASALT IBA India Black Ale” This black ale has all the hops of an IPA but with the black color of a Stout, with a crisp light flavor and black color, backed up by 80 IBU’s this new style is sure to please. So try one today!!!

Get yourself down there and try one!

Prost,

GG

St. Patrick’s Day at the Quarry with Emerald Isle Green Beer

www.wedigbeer.com

Here’s the latest info from Quarry Brewing Company.

Greetings to all Quarry Supporters!

COME & CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK’S DAY @ THE QUARRY!

Quarry Brewing Specials

Brewery Hours on St.Patty’s Day Open 11-7pm Beer Specials:

EMERALD ISLE GREEN BEER

SANDSTONE STOUT

ALL BEERS $3.00 A PINT

SANDSTONE STOUT PARTY PIG is also available, don’t wait won’t last that long.

EVERY SATURDAYS “OPEN MIC NIGHT” 5-8PM, CALLING ALL MUSICIAN, call Vince or stop by the brewery to sign up.723-0245 This coming Sat. March 20 5-7pm, musician TOM SUSANJ will be playing, so come on down relax, listen to some music & have your favorite Quarry beers!

GALENA GOLD, OPEN CAB COPPER, OPEN PIT PORTER, SHALE PALE ALE, Seasonal BAUXITE BROWN & SANDSTONE STOUT.

EVERY SUNDAYS $1 off your growler fill

Next HOMEBREW CLUB Meeting, Monday April 5 starts 7pm, curious about making your own brews come & join us. EVERYBODY IS WELCOME!!!!!

Thank you for your continuing support!

Hope to see you soon!

Chuck & Lyza

QUARRY BREWING

723-0245

www.wedigbeer.com

Prost,

GG

Hoisting a pint to Bryon Wilson and Butte, America

I don’t have a pint of Open Cab Copper to hoist tonight, but if you do, hoist a pint or a growler of it in honor of Butte native Bryon Wilson, who slayed a field of monster athletes at the 2010 Olympics in British Columbia, Canada to take the bronze medal in men’s moguls.

Go USA!

Gu

Groundhog Day at Quarry Brewing Co.

The latest information from our friends at Butte’s Quarry Brewing Co.

Greetings to Everyone on this Snowy Winter Day!

Here are few upcoming dates of Events happening @ the Quarry!

Feb. 2 Tues is “GROUNDHOG DAY”(Chuck’s favorite celebration) the Smokey Quartz Rauch will be back on tap that day, but we will also have a post celebration party on Feb 6 Sat. 5-8pm w/ live music (Mike Tierney) & great beers.So come on down.

Feb. 8 Mon. @ 7pm will be the coming back of our HOMEBREW CLUB meeting so for all you homebrewers come & join Chuck, but Everyone is Welcome to attend!

SEASONAL BEERS ON TAP!

BAUXITE BROWN

SANDSTONE STOUT

Don’t forget we’re open 7 days a week MON-SAT 1-8PM & SUN 1-6 EVERY SUNDAY IS ALSO $1 OFF GROWLER FILL SPECIAL

Thank you all for your continuing support & loyalty to Quarry Brewery.

We appreciate it very much!

Chuck & Lyza

QUARRY BREWING

406-723-0245

Prost,

GG