By RYAN NEWHOUSE
This Saturday the Montana Brewers Association (MBA) is bringing, for the first time, the Fourth Annual Montana Brewers Festival to Missoula.
“What took so long?” I ask no one with the same disbelief as if I were waiting on Christmas morning.
You know Missoulians dig a good brewfest. It’s ok. It’s worth the wait.
On Saturday, Caras Park will play host to 75 different beers from 21 different Montana breweries. And ready for the climax? 23 of those will be unique for the festival. That’s about one out of three, according to my abacus.
To taste these, there are a couple options. Option 1: a VIP ticket will get you in the door with four tokens an hour early at noon. Option 2: for $12 you can get in at 1:00 PM with a glass and two tokens. Each additional token is $1.
Also new this year is a two-day beer conference following the festival (Sunday and Monday).
Being held at the Downtown Holiday Inn, the conference will feature a panel presentation by yours truly, Ryan Newhouse, and Alan McCormick (Growler Fills), and Missoula Independent staff, Alex Sakariassen.
Our panel discussion is entitled, “How the Media and Bloggers Can Help Your Brewery,” and it will take place on Monday at 3 PM.
Curious about what’s there to drink? Here is the full tap list, with Festival Release beers in bold. See you on Saturday!
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Thirsty for more? Missoula’s beverage expert, Ryan Newhouse, has plenty on tap: The Best in Missoula for Libations, Family Friendly Fridays at the Top Hat, and Meet Missoula’s Serious Scotch Gals.
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.