Right on cue (noon, actually) Mother Nature decided to open up the clouds with a strong showing of rain mixed with snow to usher in the 18th Annual Garden City Brewfest. But this is Missoula. We love our festivals and a little cold weather, rain and snow isn’t going to deter us from a time honored rite of spring.
Despite the weather, the crowd was strong, though it didn’t approach the thousands who enjoyed the brewfest last year when we enjoyed a perfect storm of sun and 80 degrees. But the music played and the beer poured and despite the shivering hands, we managed to find a few new brews that stood out from the rest.
My “best in show”? Quarry Brewing Co.’s Mica Maibock, shown here in the tasting glass. Smooth, malty, slightly sweet and easy drinking – exactly what Maibock should be. It is the only brew I chose to have two samples of. I’ll admit I was tempted to pick Flathead Lake Brewing Co.’s Espresso Porter, but the fact that I’d had a pint at the Brewery a couple weeks before made me feel like that would be cheating. I typically avoid anything I’ve had before at these brewfests in favor of finding something new. That theory doesn’t always hold, especially when Blackfoot River Brewing Co. offers up their Tartanic Scotch Ale.
Bayern Brewing brought along their new Dump Truck Extra Pale Summer Bock and I was very impressed. Similar in malty sweetness to Quarry Brewing’s Maibock, it is a crisp, unfiltered golden/yellow bock that goes down very smoothly and tends to hide its strong alcohol, a typical component of all bocks. Dump Truck is already available on taps around Missoula (Rhino and Sean Kelly’s, for starters) and in six packs.
Big Sky Brewing’s Cowboy Coffee Porter took home best of show honors as judged by the fine members of Zoo City Zymurgists (sitting here on the picnic tables). I agree the Cowboy Coffee is a very good brew with subtle coffee notes and nice dark chocolate flavors, though I favor the robustness and stronger coffee aroma and flavor of Flathead Brewing’s Rising Sun Espresso Porter. As noted, I’d have bestowed that honor on Quarry Brewing’s Mica Maibock, but like everything, judging is subjective and is more about attention to style. More about that in a later post.
Who knew the weather would be better on February 27th for Bigfork’s 1st Brewfest? Yes, it was cold and wet, but that’s the way it goes in Montana in spring. I’d call the 18th Annual Garden City Brewfest a success and another good time in downtown Missoula.
