Winter BrewFest takes over old Safeway building Feb. 11
The Missoula Winter BrewFest returns for its second year on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 2 to 8 p.m., this time at the old Safeway building on West Broadway next to St. Patrick Hospital. Cost is $10 for a 7-ounce glass and two tokens, and $1 per token thereafter. The Missoula Downtown Association expects more than 30 beers to be on hand with wine, food and live music available.
If this year’s event is anything like last year, I recommend heading to the BrewFest early to avoid the likely packed house. I don’t think I even received a glass last year, pretty sure it was a plastic cup.
- Matt Pritchard
Winter Brewfest slides into Whitefish on Saturday
Whitefish plays host to the latest western Montana brewfest on Saturday from 1-5 p.m in the Whitefish Mountain Resort Village. More than a dozen breweries will be there, including Bayern, Big Sky, Bitterroot, Blackfoot, Blacksmith, Deschutes, Great Northern, Madison River, New Belgium, Sierra Nevada, Tamarack and more. Tickets are $25 at the door, or $20 in advance and can be purchased at the Whitefish Mountain Resort Information Center or the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce. David Boone will perform, and at 4 p.m. the third annual Dummy Derby gets under way, where contestants strap skis or a snowboard onto their dummy creations and watch them slide and then fly through the air. A brewfest and a dummy derby? What more could you want?
- Matt Pritchard
Missoula Winter BrewFest deemed successful, crowded
Around 4,000 people attended the Winter BrewFest at the Historic Missoula Mercantile on Saturday, 1,500 more than organizers had expected, according to a report in the Missoulian.
I can vouch that it was extremely busy, and that I arrived far too late. By the time I walked through the doors at around 5:30 p.m., the glasses were gone (sold out an hour before) and volunteers were handing out plastic cups with an extra token inside. That would have been good if there was beer left to drink. Blacksmith Brewing, Bitterroot and others ran out of one or more of their beers by the time I wandered in, and long lines stood in front of me and the beer that was left. I’ll live.
It was great to see so many people come out and support the cause for Caras Park, especially since it’s probably the only time an event like that will take place in the mercantile. Don’t count out the Winter BrewFest for next year though, as the Missoula Downtown Association will more than likely find some other place to house it, hopefully with a little more room and a lot more beer.
- Matt Pritchard
Weekend beer guide: Missoula Winter BrewFest
Heather Barnhart of Regent Realty walks around the ground floor of the Historic Missoula Mercantile building ahead of Saturday's Winter BrewFest. Photo by LINDA THOMPSON/Missoulian
The first Missoula Winter BrewFest kicks off in the Historic Missoula Mercantile building, 110 N. Higgins Ave., on Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m. The cost is $10 for a 7-ounce glass and two tokens, additional tokens are $1. The event is a fundraiser for Caras Park and is being hosted by the Missoula Downtown Association.
Octagon Capital Partners, the new owners of the Historic Mercantile building, gave the OK about a month ago to allow use of the building for the brewfest. Some representatives from Octagon will be on hand to answer questions, which is a sponsor of the event along with Regent Realty and Kettlehouse Brewing Co.
There will be food, wine, music by the Lil’ Smokies and Tom Catmull and the Clerics, and, of course, plenty of beer. I’ve heard 14 Montana breweries will there, as well as others from out of state.
This will likely be a one-time event, at least in the current building. Octagon plans to start renovations after the festivities.
If you’re attending, expect crowds and a good time.
Also on tap the weekend:
- Big Sky Brewing Firkin Friday continues at the Rhino with a fresh firkin of Powder Hound.
- At Bitter Root Breweing, live music includes Hot Club of San Francisco on Friday at 7 p.m., Mudslide Charlie on Saturday and Pinegrass on Sunday.
Update: The full listing of beers is after the jump. (more…)
Updates on Missoula Winter BrewFest
The first Missoula Winter BrewFest will be held on Saturday, Feb. 12, in the old Macy’s building (aka the Historic Missoula Mercantile Building), located at 110 N. Higgins Ave. The event is a fundraiser for Caras Park and is joint venture between the Missoula Downtown Association and the new owners of the building, Virgina-based Octagon Partners.
The brewfest will be held from 1-7 p.m. Admission is $10, and that includes a 7-ounce glass with two beer tokens. Additional tokens are $1. Bands on board to play include Lil Smokies, Tom Catmull & the Clerics and more.
The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival opens the same weekend and those who have an all-access pass will get half off admission to the brewfest. In case you’re wondering why the beer will stop flowing so early, it’s because of said film festival, the Griz game against Northern Colorado and a fundraiser at the Missoula Children’s Theatre that night.
This will likely be a one-time event, at least in the current building, as Octagon Partners plans to begin renovations after the Winter Brewfest.
I’m not sure about all the breweries that will be there yet, but was told to expect around 20 with most, if not all, western Montana craft-beer makers present.
- Matt Pritchard