MICROBREW MONTANA

Montana Smith and the Temple of Malt Now Playing in Helena

By Bill Schneider, 10-17-08

	The Temple of Malt. BELOW: Co-owner Brian Smith in his new production facility. Photos by Bill Schneider.

After many long delays, Blackfoot River Brewing of Helena has finally opened its new facility, and it has been a hoppin' good time ever since.

Opened on October 7, the first week has been "incredible," according to co-owner Brian Smith. The first Friday night crowd was so huge, in fact, that his servers could barely handle it, so he had to institute a new system to manage the success--the three-pint check-off card used by many other microbreweries.

Patrons seemed to be just as hoppy as they ever were back in the now-abandoned, cramped, steamy taproom, putting to rest the fears that the sense of community prevalent at the Blackfoot (and most other microbreweries) might be lost with the move to the new fancy taproom.

And it is upscale--and big, too, probably larger than any taproom in the state with the possible exception of Glacier Brewing in Polson.

The move has been tough sledding, Smith admits, and not only the long delays and other construction stress, but getting the production equipment moved and operating. Right now, production roughly equals that of the old facility. "Our top priority is getting our production up," Smith sighs, sounding like a man with a lot on his mind who hasn't had enough sleep.

Next, he plans to emphasize renting the upstairs out to special events and improving the amenities and acoustics in the new taproom--i.e. soon-to-come, large banners with beer logos and historic photos of the old Kessler and Helena breweries.

During the drawn-out construction of the new brewery, several taproom regulars decided the new building looked like a church, so when I wrote the profile on Blackfoot Brewing for the Microbrew Montana series, I asked the owners about that, and Smith agreed, which was why he started to call it the "Temple of Malt."

So, when they make the movie, they obviously will title it, "Montana Smith and the Temple of Malt."

Sorry about that, but I couldn't resist.

Anyway, now you know it's playing in Helena (2-8 pm, daily, except Sunday) and will be for a long time, so you'll have plenty of chances to see it.

To read the entire Microbrew Montana series, click here.

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