By RYAN NEWHOUSE
Like many big cities across the country, Missoula is devoting an entire week to craft beer.
It starts next Tuesday, May 1, at the Rhino and stretches until the taps close at the 20th Annual Garden City Brewfest at Caras Park on Saturday, May 5.
All said, there will be well over 25 events in five days and many, many barrels of beer poured.
Presented by the MDA, Growler Fills, and Montana Beer Finder (my own new project), Missoula Craft Beer Week is something people keep asking me, “Why hasn’t this already happened? Missoula is a ‘beer town!’”
It’s happening now, so get ready!
New events are still coming in, so to stay on top of all the opportunities, you can become a “Fan” of MCBW on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@MslaBeerWeek).
The following events are available each day of Missoula Craft Beer Week:
What: Tamarack Brewing Co. Three Course Beer/Food Menu
Tamarack is offering a three course beer and food pairing menu from Tuesday May 1 through Saturday May 5 in honor of Craft Beer Week. Each course will feature beer-inspired items paired expertly with Tamarack’s ales. The pairing menu will be available during lunch and dinner for $25 per person, which includes food and beer.
Where: Tamarack Brewing Co., 231 West Front Street, Missoula
Time: 11:00 a.m. to Close
What: Tamarack Brewing Co. Garden City Golden Ale
This Golden Ale, inspired by the Missoula Downtown Association and their relentless pursuit of the community spirit, is brewed for Montana Craft Beer week. The fruity aroma is provided by a few fun Belgian-inspired additions. They blend with subtle spiced flavors and fruity esters from the yeast strains, and rich malt flavors to give incredible depth and complexity to this light bodied ale. The tradition, character, and boldness of the Belgian style pairs perfectly with the spirit of Missoula’s inspiring community-minded beer culture. Cheers!
Where: Tamarack Brewing Co., 231 West Front Street, Missoula
Time: 11:00 a.m. to Close
Here are the current daily event listings for Missoula Craft Beer Week:
Events for Tuesday, May 1, 2012
What: Taster Tuesday at The Rhinoceros
Charge in to the Rhino and get your horn wet! Get a free 7-ounce taster glass with the purchase of any Montana-made beer. Seven-ounce servings of beer from The Rhino’s 50 taps are only $1.75! The Rhino will feature beers brewed in celebration of the 20th Anniversary Garden City BrewFest. It’s a great way to get started on Missoula Craft Beer Week!
Where: The Rhinoceros, 158 Ryman St., Missoula
Time: 11:00 a.m. to Close.
Events for Wednesday, May 2, 2012
What: Caffe Dolce Beer and Cheese Pairing
Join Caffe Dolce for an expert pairing of craft beer and great cheese and learn to pick out the complementary flavors in this taste sensation.
Where: Caffe Dolce, Brooks and Beckwith Ave., Missoula
Time: 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.; $20 per person. Call ahead for a time slot, 830-3055.
What: Draught Works Cask Wednesday
Head to Draught Works Brewery, Missoula’s newest craft brewery, for a special cask of English Summer Ale in celebration of Missoula Craft Beer Week.
Where: Draught Works Brewery, 915 Toole Ave., Missoula
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
What: Kettlehouse Brewery Tours (Northside only)
Stop by between 5:00 and 6:30 p.m. (before the Caffe Dolce Event) to join a mini-tour of Kettlehouse’s Northside brewery.
Where: Kettlehouse Brewing Co. (North), 313 N. 1st Street W, Missoula
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
What: Kettlehouse Community U-Nite
Every Wednesday during the year Kettlehouse Brewing Co. hosts a local community organization and donates $0.50 of each pint sold to that organization. This Wednesday, come out and support the Missoula Combat Challenge, an outreach effort of the Missoula Fire Department.
Where: Kettlehouse Brewing Co. (North), 313 N. 1st Street W, Missoula
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
What: Run Wild Missoula Craft Beer Week Special Edition Beer Run
Run Wild Missoula is Montana’s premier running club and their monthly “beer runs” are super popular. Join Run Wild Missoula for a special edition beer run during Missoula Craft Beer Week and help celebrate an appreciation for an active, healthy lifestyle and great craft beer. The approximately 5 mile group run will start and end at Draught Works Brewery and the route will take runners by all the Missoula downtown area breweries. Afterwards, enjoy the runners-high of a job well done with a pint from Draught Works.
Where: Draught Works Brewery, 915 Toole Ave., Missoula
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Events for Thursday, May 3, 2012
What: The Love of Beer (film)
The Love of Beer is a feature length documentary celebrating the women in the Pacific NW beer industry. Produced by Lingering Illocutions and created by Alison Grayson, The Love of Beer stars Bend Brewing’s Tonya Cornett and Saraveza’s Sarah Pederson and features Teri Fahrendorf, Lisa Morrison, Gayle Goschie, and Amy Welch. The Love of Beer is an intimate portrayal of craft beer’s female forerunners. Staying true to cinema vierte, these women tell their stories in their own words and through their own actions. Check out the trailer to learn more.
Where: The Wilma Theater, 131 S. Higgins, Missoula
Time: 8:00 p.m.; Tickets are $8
What: Flathead Lake Brewing Co. Beer and Dessert Pairing
Flathead Lake Brewing Co. of Missoula is hosting a beer and dessert pairing, featuring FLBC ales paired with delicious cheesecakes and other “desserty” creations from Chef Casey Hansen. Come in and see just how well beer pairs with dessert, such as FLBC’s Espresso Porter and chocolate cheesecake. Cost is only $5 per person which just might tempt you to have more than one! Bring in your movie ticket stub from The Love of Beer and receive $2 off. Now that’s a fantastic pairing!
Where: Flathead Lake Brewing Co. of Missoula, 424 N. Higgins, Missoula
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
What: Summer Sun Live Homebrewing Demonstration
Come learn about homebrewing in this live demonstration at Missoula’s Summer Sun Brew Supply. Participants will be treated to a 1.5 hour demonstration and receive a free growler of the beer once it is ready. If you’re curious about learning to homebrew, this event is for you! Space is limited to 10 participants and you must RSVP to Jared by email, jared.summersun@gmail.com, or at the store.
Where: Summer Sun Brew Supply, 128 West Alder St., Missoula
Time: 4:00 p.m.
What: Meet the Big Sky Brewing Co. at Iron Horse for Beers and Food!
Stop by the Iron Horse Brew Pub and have some beers and food with the Big Sky crew! This is a great precursor event to the “Love of Beer” showing at the Wilma (which starts at 8 pm)!
Where: Iron Horse Brew Pub, 501 N. Higgins, Missoula
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Events for Friday, May 4, 2012
What: Garden City Brewery Bus Tour
Want a great way to check out Missoula’s Bayern Brewing, Draught Works Brewery and Kettlehouse Brewing Co.? Sign up for the Garden City Brewery Bus Tour, a bus ride adventure for the craft beer lover! Cost is $30 per person and includes bus transportation, one beer at each brewery, a light dinner plus snacks and a ride home (if desired) in the Missoula area. Space is limited and you must RSVP by contacting Jeff and Katie at gardencitybrewerytour@gmail.com.
Where: Bus leaves from Caras Park, Downtown Missoula, promptly at 5:15 p.m.
Time: 5:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
What: Three Ways to Enjoy a Kettlehouse Double Haul IPA
Kettlehouse is offering up three unique offerings of one of their flagship beers, Double Haul IPA. Join them at the Rhino for a tapping of cask-conditioned Double Haul IPA, an unfiltered Double Haul IPA, and a barrel-aged Double Haul IPA (aged in Dry Fly Distillery Whiskey barrels).
Where: The Rhinoceros, 158 Ryman St., Missoula
Time: 4:00 p.m. to Close.
What: Bayern Brewing Dump Truck Wooden Barrel Tapping at The Depot
Join The Depot, one of Montana’s premier, classic steakhouses, as they tap a wooden barrel of Bayern Brewing’s Dump Truck Summer Bock.
Where: The Depot, 201 Railroad St. W., Missoula
Time: 5:00 till…
Events for Saturday, May 5, 2012
What: Big Sky Beer Brunch at the Old Post
Before heading to the Garden City BrewFest or wherever your day takes you, head down to the Old Post Pub for a three item special brunch menu made with and paired with two Big Sky Brewing Co. beer specials: Summer Honey Mimosas and Trout Slayer Micheladas!
Full Menu:
- Coffee Crusted Ribeye steak with eggs and Moose Drool red eye gravy.
- Scape Goat Pale ale braised breakfast sausage “Mantana” scramble.
- Summer Honey Ale Brioche French toast with Flathead dried cherries, candied pecans and grand mariner whip cream.
Where: Old Post Pub, 103 West Spruce St., Missoula
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
What: 20th Anniversary Garden City BrewFest
The inspiration for it all! Montana’s largest and longest running BrewFest celebrates its 20th Anniversary in 2012 with 60 beers, a wine bar, food vendors and live music. The entry fee of $10 gets you a 7-ounce signature tasting glass and two drink tokens. Additional tokens are only $1 each. Seasoned BrewFest attendees know to come early for the best selection!
Where: Caras Park, Downtown Missoula
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
What: Big Sky Cream Ale Tapping at The Rhinoceros
Come taste this new brew from Missoula’s Big Sky Brewing Co. as they tap a cask of Big Sky Cream Ale at the Rhinoceros in conjunction with Missoula Craft Beer Week
Where: The Rhinoceros, 158 Ryman St., Missoula
Time: 5:00 p.m. to Close.
Tell us, where will you be tippling next week? What is the “must not miss” event of Missoula Craft Beer Week?
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Thirsty for more? Missoula’s beverage expert, Ryan Newhouse, has plenty on tap: Family Friendly Fridays at the Top Hat, Get Your (Bar) Game on in Missoula, and The Best Bars for Celebrating a Birthday.
Looking for a local bar or pub? Check out our Missoula Restaurants and Dining and Missoula Nightlife sections.
Visit the Drink It Missoula archive.
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Ryan Newhouse has lived in Missoula since 2002 and has tipped his glass in most of the town’s establishments. He is (in no particular order) a full-time writer, husband, and parent, and a part-time zymurgist. He makes a mean hard cider and pairs his cocktails with dishes from his blog, Cooked Animals: Recipes for Wild Game.His latest concoction is Montana Beer Finder.