Charlie Papazian would know.  He’s been to a lot of them.  And as he finished his remarks to the collection of brewers, owners, industry members and fans assembled on a boat cruising Montana’s Flathead Lake, Charlie confidently declared this unique floating brew fest “the best state association gathering ever!”

Warm evening sunshine, blue skies and puffy white clouds greeted the one-hundred thirty or so participants for the Montana Brewers Association’s Flathead Lake Cruise with Charlie Papazian, president of the Brewers Association, celebrated author of home brewing books, and legend of craft beer.  Calm waters and stunning views provided the perfect backdrop for craft beer fans to mingle over some of the best beer Montana has to offer.

The general idea for an event came from Papazian who pitched the idea to Tony Herbert, Executive Director of the Montana Brewers Association, at a national Brewers Association meeting last year.  Papazian and his family have friends in the area and thought it might be possible to blend some vacation time with a little fun with the MBA.

Speaking about recent news predicting a burst in the craft beer bubble, Papazian said it “irks” him to hear that there’s too much saturation for the industry to handle it.  “What’s happening in Montana is a mirror image of what’s happening in places like Norfolk, VA and Albuquerque, NM,” Papazian said.  “Things are happening all over the country in secondary towns and small communities,” he observed, referencing a model of growth familiar to Montanans, which he believes is sustainable.

Along for the ride were more than forty beers from twelve Montana craft breweries, making the event an intimate brew fest of sorts.  The small setting provided craft beer fans – and fellow brewers – the kind of opportunity to talk beer in a way rarely possible at big events attended by thousands.

Bitter Root Brewing displayed their forthcoming cans while providing samples of new beers in the works, including a wonderful single-hop, single-malt saison. Blackfoot River Brewing Co. reached into the cellar for bottles of their 2010, 2011 and 2012 reserve series.  Their 2008 Imperial Stout had me floating on wave after wave of toffee, dark chocolate, and coffee flavors.

Bridger Brewing Co., one of Montana’s newest breweries, offered up three of their brews which, I was surprised to learn, are all gluten free (“crafted to remove gluten,” according to a proposed federal standard).  Head brewer Daniel Pollard uses a denaturing process which allows Bridger to brew with malted barely, but remove the gluten by way of an added enzyme.

My favorite beer of the evening may very well have been 406 Brewing Co.’s Cabernet Black IPA.  Owner/brewer Matt Muth absolutely knocked it out of the park with his 9% abv, black IPA refermented on Cabernet grape must and skins.

What became clear from the discussions, laughter, and all-around good time, is the appreciation the brewery folks have for each others’ creations.  The camaraderie was evident throughout the cruise (and beyond) and not just because everyone loves a good party (and great live music from John Floridis).

Papazian touched on this in his remarks. “What the Montana Brewers Association does is going to be really important for your future,” he said.  “You might not have all the same interests all the time, but you have to look at the big picture, the big vision, and help each other out.” 

Tony Herbert and Charlie Papzian

“Brewers around the world are amazed at  . . . how we collaborate and cooperate and do things together as brewers in the United States,” Papazia noted. “And they look to what we’re doing as small brewers as world leaders of what the future could be for beer throughout the world.”

The best state association gathering ever?  Cheers to that. 

To see many more pictures from the event (46 photos), head to our facebook gallery (viewable even if you don’t use facebook).