Every once in a while a regional sized brewery takes note of Montana’s love of craft beer and decides to get in on the fun.  This week, Ninkasi Brewing Company began distribution of bottled and kegged products with a splash across Montana.

Ninkasi Brewing Co. in Eugene, OR, started brewing in 2006 and expanded to a 50 bbl system in short order, distributing beer to Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, parts of California and, now, Montana.  Co-founder Jamie Floyd has been a passionate advocate for the brewery, as you can see from this photo of him dressed as Darth Vader while pitching Ninkasi’s Total Domination IPA at the 2011 Beer Bloggers Conference.

Sales Director Marty Ochs and Inland Northwest Markets Manager Peter Remington made the rounds in Montana this week talking to distributors and others in the industry.  It looks like distribution is set for Missoula, Kalispell, Great Falls, Helena, Bozeman and Billings. Based on the number of calls, emails, and requests they’ve received from Montanans, Ninkasi expects to have quite a following right from the start.

Spotted so far in Missoula are Ninkasi’s Believer Double Red Ale, Oatis Oatmeal Stout, Spring Reign Ale, and Total Domination IPA in 22 oz bombers and six packs of Total Domination IPA and Spring Reign. The Rhino in Missoula has Total Domination IPA on tap. Have you had a chance to try any yet?  Let us know what you think.