Payette Brewing Company, Idaho’s largest brewery, recently announced it will soon begin distribution in Montana.  Payette has chosen four distributors in Montana, and will also be adding Wyoming and Oklahoma to its current distribution footprint of Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Photo By: Alan McCormick

Payette currently operates a 15-barrel brewing system, but is nearing completion of a second Boise production facility and taproom which will have the capacity to produce 100,000 barrels annually.

Besides proximity, I asked what led Payette to choose Montana for distribution. “Montana is full of people with an adventurous spirit, who enjoy spending time outdoors,” explained owner/brewer Michael Francis. “That is who we are as a company and a brand, so it seemed like a great fit to bring our beers to Montana.”

“For our core products, we brew beers that fall in line many traditional styles such as IPA, brown and pilsner,” said Francis. “Our Rustler IPA is our flagship product, it is has a great citrus hop presence and is nicely balanced.  I personally think that our lagers are a strong point for us, our North Fork Lager is a year round pilsner with a great hop presence and our Fly Line Vienna Lager is our summer seasonal that has more of a malt sweetness that is perfect for hanging out in the summer sun.”

Montana will receive Payette’s core products, including 6 packs of cans of the brewery’s new Blood Orange Rustler IPA.  Once distribution gets established, Payette expects to start sending specialty draft beers and cases of its 22 oz barrel aged series called “Hoop & Stave.”

Look for Payette’s beers to begin arriving in Montana in the next week.