They’re not brewing beer yet, but Lolo Peak Brewing Co. is hosting a homebrew competition with one heck of a grand prize: the chance to spend a day brewing at Lolo Peak and have your winning beer on tap when the brewery opens in 2014. 

Here’s the scoop.  The competition is open to non-professional brewers (age 21+) who think they’ve got the chops to brew the best robust porter.  To enter, drop off four 12 oz. or two 22 oz. bottles of your porter at Summer Sun Garden & Brew (838 West Spruce Street in Missoula) and fill out an entry form by February 19, 2014 at 5:00 p.m.

The entries will be judged based on the following criteria: 1) adherence to the BJCP style guidelines for a robust porter, 2) appearance, aroma, and flavor, 3) uniqueness; and 4) potential to be brewed commercially. 

Two runners-up will also be selected and will receive Lolo Peak Brewing Co. shirts and printed pint glasses.  Not a bad prize either for doing something you probably already had on your “to-do” list.  There’s plenty of time between now and February 19 to even get in a test batch or two.