Draught Works offering up Christmas Steamer
Missoula’s Draught Works is gearing up for a good ol’ fashion Christmas Steamer on Friday, Dec. 21. What’s a Christmas Steamer? Well, it’s a heck of a deal. For $5, between 4 and 8 p.m. you can get a pint of your choice and a bowl of fresh Penn Cove mussels. Sounds like a good excuse to get those visiting relatives out of the house and around some beer.
- Matt Pritchard
Yeti Home Brew Competition winners
The first Yeti Home Brew Competition was held over the weekend at Higherground Brewing Co. Homebrewers were asked to drop off three 12-ounce bottles in one or more of the following categories: Light Beer, Amber Beer, Specialty and IPA. Jared Robinson of Summer Sun Garden & Brew passed along a note of the winners. Congratulations to all.
Light:
1st Cole M.
2nd David FoxAmber:
1st David Fox
2nd DuncanSpecialty:
1st Dan Lee
2nd Clint N.IPA:
1st Matt Miller
2nd Clint NissenOverall:
1st Matt Miller
2nd Dan Lee
- 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
Study touts economic benefits of craft beer in Montana
The Montana Brewers Association recently commissioned a report by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research to show, by the numbers, the financial impact of breweries in the state.
The report, which can be read in its entirety here, shows that the craft beer industry has created 434 jobs in the state and produces sales of nearly $50 million. What’s more is that the industry brings in about $1.5 million in revenues for the state and Montana’s population has increased by 36 people due to beer.
Northwest Montana is behind much of the success, generating more than half of the sales and tallying up more than half of the total jobs. Plus, there are now 33 breweries in the state, with 12 of those in the northwest.
Here are some other fun facts about the growth of craft beer in Montana between 2010-2011:
- Production increased from 87,442 barrels to 102,925 barrels, up 18 percent
- Beer sales increased from $21.8 million to $26.1 million, up 20 percent
- Matt Pritchard
Kettlehouse Brewing expanding Myrtle Street taproom
Work is under way at Kettlehouse Brewing Co.’s Myrtle Street location to create a little more elbow room for loyal patrons (I know a few of them). The plan, as I’ve heard, is to move the brewery equipment to a building directly behind the taproom (pictured), and then use some of the empty space for a bit more drinking room. I also heard a rumor of the brewery potentially trying to acquire a cabaret license. However, that rumor is highly suspect, especially after reading this from owner Tim O’Leary.
Call me old fashioned, but I like the way the taproom is now. Oh well, I guess change is inevitable, and more of a good thing can’t be bad.
Update: Here’s a more thorough explanation from the man himself, Tim O’Leary:
A brewery cannot own a retail license (i.e. Cabaret, All Beverage, Beer and Wine etc.) in the state of Montana. It’s very irritating that people in our industry don’t know that. There are ways “around” that but they are so complicated that they can put a business entity at risk of violating state and federal laws. We are currently working on a plan to restructure and position ourselves to provide enough Cold Smoke to satisfy current demand in Western Montana, and perhaps Eastern Montana. When we know how that pans out we’ll post it on our Facebook site and our rebuilt website. Until then we’re hoping our remodel will improve the production flow of our Myrtle street brewery. There will be a minor expansion of space in the taproom, but no huge changes in design or decor. I’m old fashioned too. I didn’t even want to repaint the outside of the building. That old color had been there since it was built.
Thanks
Tim O’Leary
- Matt Pritchard
FLBC of Missoula undergoing changes after water line break
FLBC of Missoula will be closed for a couple of weeks after a water line break caused “several hundred thousand dollars worth of damage.” When the pub reopens expect to see some changes. Sapore, the restaurant below FLBC of Missoula, will be no more. FLBC will be taking over and the space will be made to look more like it does upstairs, with a new menu for the building.
The biggest benefit when FLBC reopens? You’ll be able to walk between the floors with your beer of choice.
Check out the Indy Blog for more details.
- Matt Pritchard
Montana Brewing Co., Red Lodge Ales win medals at GABF
Two Montana breweries took home medals at last weekend’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver, with one claiming gold.
Montana Brewing Co. in Billings was awarded a gold medal for its MBC Wheat Ale in the American-Style Wheat Beer With Yeast category. Silver in that category went to Wrangler Wheat by Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. in Buellton, Calif., and bronze went to Tumblewheat by Altitude Chophouse and Brewery in Laramie, Wyo.
Red Lodge Ales received a bronze for Resurrection Doppelbock in the German-Style Doppelbock or Eisbock category. Gold went to Uber Bock by Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. in Madison, Wis., and silver went to Double Bock by Samuel Adams Cincinnati Brewery in Ohio.
In total, 4,338 beers were entered from 666 breweries (not making that up) hailing from 48 states, D.C. and Guam. Medals were awarded to 254 beers in 84 categories.
Tap It Brewing IPA from Tap It Brewing in San Louis Obisbo, Calif., won gold in the most entered category, American-Style India Pale Ale. In the second most entered category, Imperial India Pale Ale, Thai Me Up Brewery in Jackson Hole, Wyo., took gold for its 2X4. Thai Me Up Brewery won three medals, including two golds. Overall, Wyoming breweries received eight medals.
Last year, three Montana breweries received medals: Carter’s Brewing a silver for Blackened CDA, Montana Brewing Co. a silver for White Eagle Baltic Porter and Kettlehouse Brewing Co. a bronze for Seeley Axe White.
To see a full list of winners, click here.
- Matt Pritchard
Oktoberfest heads to Ogren Park at Allegiance Field on Oct. 20
I heard someone say the other day that October is their favorite month. At first I thought that seems a little crazy. I mean why not September if you’re into fall? I know it’s not technically fall, but it is in my book. Or why not July? That’s a pretty, pretty good month. But the more I thought about it, October is a really great time of year around these parts. Changing leaves, crisp air, football and pumpkins, what more could you ask for?
Anyway, what’s also pretty great about October is beer. Those rich, malty brews are ready to be had. In that vein, Ogren Park at Allegiance Field will host Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 20, from noon until 6 p.m. The entry fee is $10 for a glass and two beers. The proceeds go to benefit Friends of the Civic Stadium.
The music lineup is as follows:
- Miller Creek, noon-1:45 p.m.
- Cold Hard Cash, 2-3:45 p.m.
- Reverend Slanky , 4-5:45 p.m.
If I can track down what beers will be there, I’ll be sure to post an update.
- Matt Pritchard
Huckleberry Cold Smoke alert
Kettlehouse Brewing Co. will have a firkin of Huckleberry Cold Smoke at the Rhino on the night of Oct. 5, a day before the 4th annual Montana Brewers Festival at Caras Park. I tried the Cold Smoke infused with cherries that was available at the south Kettle a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised, so I can only imagine that huckleberries and Cold Smoke will be, well, sweet.
- Matt Pritchard
Kettlehouse Brewing Co. hosts 4th annual Hop Pickin’ Party
It’s the season for hop picking around Montana, where those floral cones mature and prepare to add flavor to your favorite beer. Montana is a pretty good place to grow those pungent buds, and from what I saw in my parents’ neighbor’s yard the turnout appears to be decent this year, as opposed to 2011.
If you’re in Missoula and have some extra hops that you won’t be using in a beer of your own, join the party at the Northside Kettlehouse on Monday, Sept. 24, at 5 p.m. There’s free beer to be had at the 4th annual Hop Pickin’ Party, and those donated hops will, hopefully, go toward a killer Garden City Pale Ale.
Interested in growing hops of your own? It’s too late this year, but hear’s a guide to get you going in 2013.
- Matt Pritchard