I wish I was kidding, but this is the current state of alcohol related legislation in Montana. When HB 326 and HB 336 died in Committee in February, it may have seemed like the end of significant alcohol related legislation for 2015. But two other bills quietly percolated beneath the surface. House Bill 619, sponsored…
The Brewing News recently completed its annual IPA and Imperial IPA competitions and a Montana beer took home top honors. After seven rounds over five weeks of single-elimination knockout competition, pitting beer against beer, Tamarack Brewing Co.’s Headwall Double IPA emerged as the best of the best. The Lakeside, Montana brewery’s Headwall won head to…
Mighty Mo Brewing Co. and the Central Montana Homebrew Club announced the winners of their first annual homebrew competition at a gathering at the brewery last night in downtown Great Falls. The competition and its entries reveal several positive trends. First, the competition itself represents one of many that have popped up in Montana over…
The continued rise of Montana’s craft beer industry is not just spawning new breweries. Many established breweries are embracing beer’s popularity with expansion projects, too. Philipsburg Brewing Company is one of the latest to take on a significant expansion, including a new building, additional equipment and a bottling line. Co-owners Cathy and Nolan Smith purchased…
Cole Schneider and Maggie Doherty opened Kalispell Brewing Company less than nine months ago, but quickly growing demand has them undertaking their first expansion project. Kalispell opened with a fermentation system using four 10 barrel fermenters. The expansion project increases fermentation capacity 150% by adding two 10 barrel fermenters and two 20 barrel fermenters for…
Jim Devine knows a thing or two about beer. As co-owner with Sandy Stinnett of Beaver Creek Brewery in Wibaux, Montana, the longtime homebrewers have been bringing great craft beer to the eastern Montana town of 480 residents since 2008. Fans of Beaver Creek Brewery also understand Jim knows a thing or two about music.…
It’s time for another Montana homebrew competition! This one is a combined effort of the Central Montana Homebrew Club and Mighty Mo Brewing Co. in Great Falls. Entries are due to Mighty Mo by March 15 and will be judged according to the BJCP style guidelines. More information is available on this handy flyer:
The Montana House of Representatives’ Business and Labor Committee tabled further action on HB 326 and HB 336 this morning, likely spelling the end of both bills during the 2015 Montana Legislative Session. HB 326 would have allowed breweries to directly purchase a retail license (from the open market in most areas), permitting them to…
Rep. Tom Berry, Chair of the Montana House Business and Labor Committee, announced this morning the Committee would take action on House Bill 326 and House Bill 336 tomorrow morning, Wednesday, February 11. The Committee was expected to take action today, but reports indicate Rep. Ryan Lynch requested the delay while amendments are being processed.…
Bozeman’s Main Street is set to get its first brewery later this spring when White Dog Brewing Co. opens its doors at 121 W. Main St. Construction was bustling when we stopped by in mid-January and visited with co-owner/brewer Joe Moore who was awaiting delivery of the rest of his brewing equipment. When completed, White…