NEW OWNERSHIP, SAME AWARDING-WINNING BEER

Flathead Lake Brewery Re-opening

Last July, Montana lost one its most popular craft breweries, Flathead Lake Brewing in Wood’s Bay, a tiny berg five miles south of Bigfork along Highway 35 on the shores of its namesake lake.

But now, about nine months later, the doors are re-opening.

GREAT NORTHERN SCORES BIG

Black Star Cometh

UPDATED 11 am, January 19: See footnote at the end of this article.

On February 6, the Montana beer market is getting a major shake up and a new big player. An old standard is coming back courtesy of a rare combo between a mega-brewery and a small craft brewery.

The Great Northern Brewing Company of Whitefish will be re-introducing the Black Star brand after a seven-year absence from the marketplace. The release is in partnership with none other than MillerCoors, America’s second largest beer-maker--or largest, if you consider Anheuser-Busch, recently purchased by InBev of Belgium, a foreign brewery.

MICROBREW MONTANA

First Brewers Octoberfest a Hoppin’ Good Time

For craft beer lovers, Bozeman was rocking Friday night, October 23, when about 900 people crowded into exhibition buildings at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds for the first-ever Octoberfest sponsored by the Montana Brewer’s Association (MBA).

All seventeen brewery members of the organization were on hand featuring their favorite brews, 54 choices in all, and since I was among the 900, I can testify to the fact that the crowd loved every minute--and every ounce--of it.

MONTANA MICROBREW NEWS

Catching Up with the Beer Beat

True confession time. I’ve been remiss lately, fishing way too much and ignoring the beer beat, which means I have some catching up to do. And there has been a lot going on, such as….

BEAVER CREEK BREWERY ROCKS

Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door in Wibaux, Montana

Have you ever tried to convince yourself that you had a bad idea; that wouldn’t turn out as planned; might even be dangerous; and definitely wouldn’t be fun.

That’s how Gene Colling and I were feeling as we inched into Wibaux, Montana. We were on our way to Minnesota for some muskie hunting, and I’d convinced Gene we should take the opportunity to see the only microbrewery I hadn’t visited while doing my Microbrew Montana Series last year.

He agreed, somewhat reluctantly, and I had to admit, the first impression wasn’t great. Wibaux, population 481, like thousands of small prairie towns, looks a little rough around the edges as it tries to find a way to survive.

But those concerns vanished as soon as we walked through the door of the Beaver Creek Brewery.

Q&A FOR DRIVERS

Everything Motorists Want to Know about Road Cyclists

Last week, I vented about the incredibly dangerous rage a few motorists have for road cyclists. (You should check out the comment section.)

This week I’m trying to be more constructive and address some of the reasons I think might cause the anger, things many motorists might not understand about cycling and cyclists. Hopefully, this “motorist Q&A” helps explain why cyclists do the things they do and lessen concerns drivers have, which should make it easier for all of us to courteously and safely share the road.

I could, actually, give the same answer for all of these questions--"it’s the safest way to ride"--but I will try to be more helpful. 

Victory Comes to a Head

Kettle House Brewing Co. Snags Bronze Medal at Big-Time Beer Fest

Raise a glass, Missoula: The Kettle House Brewing Co. won third place this weekend at one of the world’s biggest beer contests, the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colo. The bronze in the annual event went to Kettle House’s Cold Smoke Scotch Style Ale in the Scottish Style Ale category.

The GABF this year smashed all previous records by drawing more than 46,000 beer-lovers and attracting 3,038 entries from around the country and the globe, making it the world’s largest commercial beer competition, according to the Brewers Association, the group that puts on the event. More than 450 breweries entered the contest, in which trained tasters chose winners from among 40 or so beers in each of dozens of categories. 

JUST LIKE WE NEED ANOTHER REASON TO VISIT A TAPROOM

Join the Brew Crew

This just in: You don't have to be a brewer to belong to the Montana Brewers Association (MBA) and support Montana's rapidly growing craft beer industry.

Announced today by MBA executive director Tony Herbert, Montana's craft brewers have started offering a chance to "join the brew crew" by becoming an individual member.

And what a deal! For $25, you can get a numbered membership card good for $50 to $60 worth of beer at the 16 participating breweries.

BACK ON THE BEER BEAT

How and Why to Drink Locally

I'm back on the Beer Beat today and wondering why so many eateries with a license to sell beer don't support their local brewery.

If you've been following my Microbrew Montana series, you probably noticed a common thread running through the articles. Probably every brewer I interviewed boasted about the sense of community that made their businesses tick. They all talked about getting support from local businesses and how they went to great lengths to return that local support.

But surprise, go next door or across the street to have dinner and ask for one of the local brewery's products, and you'll far-too-often hear a different story. Many owners of restaurants in Montana with craft breweries nearby often offer microbrews from Colorado or Oregon on tap, but nothing or almost nothing from their local brewer.

It doesn't happen everywhere, of course, and some local eateries prioritize local brews, but it happens way too often. I have to ask why?