This Saturday, September 19, marks the inaugural “Brews Cruise,” a bicycling tour of several Missoula beer hot spots and poker run designed to raise funds for a local charity.  For 2015 proceeds from the festivities will benefit MTB Missoula, the area’s only mountain biking advocacy group.

A project of Townsquare Media, Montana Brewery Passport, and Missoula Bike Source, the day-long event features bicyclists riding between various breweries and bars to collect cards.  The winning five-card hand (both male and female) wins a new cruiser bike from Missoula Bike Source.

To register for the event, head here online: http://bit.ly/brewscruisemsla,  or visit any one of these sponsors: Bayern Brewing, Kettlehouse Brewing, Draught Works, Imagine Nation Brewing, Great Burn Brewing, Flathead Lake Brewing – Missoula, Big Sky Brewing pouring at The Top Hat, and The Dram Shop.

Tickets are $10 and include a swag bag and raffle tickets. Participants can pick up their registration bags at Bayern Brewing between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18.  Bayern is expected to be serving its new food menu then. Limited registration will be available at Kettlehouse-Northside on Saturday from noon to 2:00 p.m., so best to register early.

On Saturday riders meet at Kettlehouse-Northside at noon and begin their poker run through Missoula. In order to participate, riders need to stop at a minimum of five partner locations to collect a card and turn in those cards at Great Burn Brewing between 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Drinking alcohol is not required to participate, but helmets are.

Great Burn Brewing is hosting the after-party and you need not be a participant in the Brews Cruise to enjoy the fun.

Want more details, here’s the Facebook event page: http://bit.ly/missoulabrewscruise 

Not doing the Bruise Cruise – or even if you are – Imagine Nation Brewing Co. is holding their grand opening on Saturday with a variety of events running from noon until 8:00 p.m. with an after-party at the Top Hat.