Flathead Lake Brewing Co. of Missoula fall brewer’s dinner recap

I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the fall Flathead Lake Brewing Co. of Missoula brewer’s dinner on Friday night, something I’d recommend if you’re at all a fan of FLBC’s beers. Tickets certainly weren’t cheap ($68, and for full disclosure I was invited to the event), but five beers and four courses, plus the chance to hear from FLBC’s head brewer Tim Jacoby, justifies the price tag. It was the first time I’d met Jacoby. He’s a heck of a brewer and a nice guy. His only fault is that he’s a Packers fan, we can’t all be perfect. (more…)

Support Montana’s waters at Flathead Lake Brewing Co. of Missoula on Saturday

FLBC of Missoula is partnering with the Watershed Education Network this month to raise awareness about Montana’s lakes, rivers and streams.

On Saturday, the pub is hosting a pint night from 5 – 11 p.m. with $1 from every beer going toward the organization. In addition, there will be a raffle on Oct. 31 where two jackets from Patagonia, a backpack from REI, a skateboard from Edge of the World and a Monte Dolack print will be up for grabs. Tickets are $2 each, or you can get 6 for $10.

I also believe FLBC’s Holiday ale will be on tap Saturday for those in the, um, holiday spirit.

- 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…)

Flathead Lake Brewing Co. of Missoula readying Mug Club 2012

If you’re a true FLBC fan, then you’re going to want to pay attention. The Missoula pub is introducing a Mug Club beginning that begins in January. Signups start Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. For $75 a year, members get a 22 oz. ceramic mug with fills only costing the price of a regular pint, plus other deals. Only 50 get in, so be prepared. Here’s the rest of the info from FLBC’s Facebook page:

On Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. sharp, be at FLBC of Missoula to sign up for our exclusive (50 member only) FLBC of Missoula Mug Club. Members of our Mug Club will receive a 22oz hand-made ceramic mug stamped with the Mug Club year and member number. Mug Club members will get 6 extra ounces of quality brew for the SAME PRICE as a regular pint. Yet that’s not all, join the Mug Club and receive all kinds of additional discounts and rewards including, but not limited to, a free birthday beer and meal, FLBC merchandise discounts, an annual Mug Club party, and many more wonderful surprises!

Only 50 spots will be available so get there and in line early to be #1. Starting Oct. 1 you can come in and get a Mug Club 2012 packet from your bartender or server with more information about the club.

To join our Mug Club there is a yearly due of $75.00 a person. Cheers!

- Matt Pritchard

Flathead Lake Brewing Co. to celebrate Women’s Equality Day on Aug. 26

Flathead Lake Brewing Co. in Woods Bay will tip its hat to women on Aug. 26 to celebrate Women’s Equality Day. There will be door prizes, special promotions and more from 12:30 – 8 p.m. Musician Jae Hatt will play on the Brew deck from 4-7 p.m.

A portion of all proceeds will be donated to a special merit-based scholarship fund geared toward women at Flathead Valley Community College. Acting as “celebrity” bartenders will be state Sen. Carmine Mowbray R-Lake County, and Sandy Welch, the Flathead County Republican chairwoman.

Come help celebrate this important day, help support women’s equality, contribute to FVCC scholarship funding, and vote for your favorite FLBC beer!

- Matt Pritchard

Flathead Lake Brewing Co. to release Belgian-style Tripel, help kittens

Flathead Lake Brewing Co. is set to unveil its new Belgian-style Tripel during a “Kill the Tripel” release party in Missoula on Thursday, June 9, from 4 to 8 p.m. Ten ounce “goblets” of the beer will be for sale for $5.50, and $2.75 cents from each one sold will go to the Humane Society of Western Montana to benefit Adopt a Cat Month.

According to FLBC assistant brewer Jared Hanlon, the Tripel comes in at 9.4 percent alcohol by volume  and 24 international bittering units.

“Our version is a dreamy, cloudy glass of liquid gold. The aroma and flavor run complex: tart citrus, yeast, malty sweetness, green apple, pear, white grape, alcohol warmth with a dry, spicy finish. It’s dangerously drinkable though it should probably be sipped. Pilsner, wheat and honey malts. Dextrose added. Hops: centennial and golding.”

Sounds like an intense summer brew.

- Matt Pritchard

Flathead Lake Brewing Co. launches Tackle Box ‘growler’

Flathead Lake Brewing Co. will soon be selling a 128 oz. Tackle Box, which is basically like a smaller version of a Party Pig, or more along the lines of a Miller Lite Home Draft Kit (I’ve only seen the commercials), but filled with something I would drink. FLBC says the “growler” is “unbreakable and recyclable,” and will keep beer fresh for up to two weeks if kept cold. It can fit in a backpack and can be refilled over and over.

Flathead Lake Brewing in Wood’s Bay is having a launch party on May 15 with beer specials, and FLBC of Missoula is throwing one on May 16.

This certainly seems like a good idea, I love the concept of being able to have FLBC’s draft beers stay fresh in my fridge for two weeks. Now, if only they’d pass one along to me … for testing purposes, of course.

- Matt Pritchard

Flathead Lake Brewing Co. of Missoula, Sapore to hold Brewer’s Dinner on May 6

According to its Facebook page, Flathead Lake Brewing Co. of Missoula will be putting on a beer dinner with food provided by Sapore on Friday, May 6. Here’s the info:

Friday, May 6, 2011
Our first ever Brewer’s Dinner! The dinner will be a four course meal by Sapore paired with FLBC’s award winning ales and information about brewing and the ales by FLBC’s own brewer Tim Jacoby.
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $55.00 per person (including gratuity)
Contact us early to reserve your spot.
542-3847 (ask for Blake) or by email at blake@flbcofmissoula.com

- Matt Pritchard

Flathead Lake Brewing Co. sets Nov. 9 opening in Missoula

There’s good news today from Flathead Lake Brewing Co.

Preparations for opening a new eatery and tasting room in Missoula are moving right along.

Here’s the latest from Sandy Clare:

Things are going well in Missoula and it looks like a Nov. 9th opening. We will have Montana hand crafted beers from Flathead lake Brewing Company, Kettlehouse, and others. For those grape lovers we will also have a few wines on hand. We’ll be serving Shrimp Po’ Boys, Glacier Buffalo Chili, and The Bar Burger (featuring local beef) dishes to name just a few. We’ll have live music on the weekends and be doing community events on Wednesdays. More info to come soon. You can check out Flathead Lake Brewing Company of Missoula on Facebook for more updates.

Watch, too, in Monday’s Missoulian – when reporter Betsy Cohen will have a story on the plans for not only Flathead Lake Brewing, but for a new downtown restaurant and a cooking school.

Flathead Lake Brewing Company is coming to Missoula

Looks like plans are in the works for an FLBC taproom in downtown Missoula. Here’s a comment left on GG from Mr. Johnston.

GG. Your source is correct. We will be at Higgins Ally. We will be doing some renovations and with any luck be open by October. We are still in the planning stages and once everything is finalized, we will get the word out. We are teaming up with a local restaurant which will be moving from their present location in down town Missoula. We are looking forward to the addition to our home in Woods Bay.

Prost,

GG