The “little engine that could” has had to cross some pretty steep mountains, but it’s now poised for a major expansion. That’s how FLBC’s Sandy Clare described it in announcing the brewery’s purchase of a new location in Bigfork, MT, and plans for a major expansion.
It’s hard to believe FLBC’s brewery on the east shore of Flathead Lake temporarily shut down in early 2010. In a little more than 2 years, they’ve reopened, added bottling, and wrung every bit of production space out of the Woods Bay location that started in 2004. FLBC’s comfortable feel, great brews, and superb views have long made it a worthy stop on the drive along the east shore. It’s also entirely out of room.
That’s all going to change over the next year as FLBC moves to a new location five miles north. The building, located in Bigfork at the corner of Holt Drive and Highway 35, previously housed the North Shore Bowling Alley. The space is vacant now and FLBC is already working on plans for a total remodel. Once work is done the site will house a much larger brewing facility and restaurant. If all goes according to plan, they hope to have the facility open by this time next year.
One thing that won’t change is the superb view. The building sits higher up than the current facility and offers incredible views of Flathead Lake. It’s immediate proximity to the town of Bigfork will add a lot of convenience for tourists who flock to the town in the summer and the locals who don’t want to drive in the winter.
Currently producing roughly 700 bbls per year, Sandy says the new location will provide plenty of room to steadily increase that number as demand continues to grow. In fact, she says there’s more than enough space to push through Montana’s 10,000 barrel limit (for onsite tap rooms) and keep right on going. All in good time.
What excites me most is brewer Tim Jacoby will now have plenty of room to add seasonals and specialty beers. If you had the chance to try FLBC’s Dirty Ginger or Tripel earlier this year you know we’re in for a real treat.
I think maybe I’ll celebrate by grabbing a Flathead Lake Imperial IPA out of the fridge. I’d choose their espresso porter, but it’s not bottled. Yet (hint, hint).
