You may recall our earlier discussions about a bill introduced to the Montana Legislature in January which would create a new “boutique” beer/wine shop license category. The previous bill would have allowed true bottle shops, but restricted their hours to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. It did, however, allow such shops to have up to…
The Montana Department of Revenue’s effort to create a new brew-on-premise license was moving along with little trouble until it hit the Senate floor for its second reading on Friday, Feb. 8. The department sought to enact a licensing scheme for businesses which rent equipment to persons who want to brew up their own homebrew,…
Although beer has taken a back seat at the 63rd Montana Legislature – at least for the time being – wine is getting set for a big show. Five bills pertaining to wine have been introduced recently, or are ready to be introduced, ranging in subject from selling wine at farmers’ markets to revising laws…
The Missoula Downtown Association’s 3rd Annual Winter BrewFest is Friday, February 15 and heads outside for the first time. The event takes place at Caras Park under the canopy from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out. Propane heaters and bonfires will provide warmth while enjoying…
Given Montana’s quota system for on-premise alcohol licenses, which we’ve talked a lot about recently, there are many restaurants which do not serve alcohol. Over the years, it became relatively common for many of these places to allow patrons to bring in their own alcohol such as a six pack of beer or a bottle…
This month’s Session* topic is hosted by Ryan Newhouse, fellow Missoula Craft Beer Week creator and occasional contributor here at Growler Fills, through his Montana Beer Finder site. Ryan came up with a Valentines Day theme and asks us all to explain how we love beer. He writes: Think of this topic and discussion in…
The Montana Tavern Association’s recent attempts to stifle brewery tap rooms touched a serious nerve with craft beer fans. Comments on this blog and other social media sites ranged from a call-to-arms to the unprintable (which I delete). Yet, commenters raised one common question more than any other: Why would the MTA want to enact…
Anyone worth his or her salt knows education comes from a wealth of sources. So, if you’re brave enough to take on the ice and snow covered streets of Missoula under cover of darkness, you’re likely the kind to also brave The Oxford, where you’ll be schooled on the finer points of one of Missoula’s…
I love to brew. I’m not the most sophisticated at it, but there’s something magical about taking water, malt, hops and yeast and creating an infinite variety of the great nectar known as beer. So when Midwest Supplies asked us to review one of their ingredient kits, I readily accepted their offer. Actually, that’s not…
Bozeman’s busy craft beer scene is about to get a new member. Located directly across the street from the Fieldhouse on MSU’s Campus, Bridger Brewing Company was a proverbial beehive of construction activity when we stopped in last week for a preview tour of the facilities. Co-owners David and Jim and Head Brewer Dan graciously…