By MADELEINE HOYT
The Missoula Downtown Association and KettleHouse Brewing Co. will host the sixth annual Winter BrewFest on Friday, February 19, 2016 from 5-9 pm. Held at Caras Park, it will feature live entertainment, beer, wine, food and more. The public is invited to sample a variety of over 40 winter brews. Admission is $12 per person and includes one 7-ounce commemorative glass and two beer tokens. Additional tokens are 2 for $3.
Attendees must be 21 years of age or older and will be required to show identification at the entrance, located on the west side of the Caras Park Pavilion near the Carousel. Parking is free Downtown on evenings and weekends, and attendees are encouraged to use designated drivers or other forms of transportation. Zero-Fare Mountain Line bus BOLT! service runs until 8:45pm out of Downtown, and the University of Montana UDASH shuttle runs 15-minute service late into the night. Check mountainline.com or the Mountain Line mobile app for routes and times.
“We are always aiming to create fun, exciting, and new experiences at the Winter BrewFest” said Winter BrewFest chair Emily Kannady. “Now that the BrewFest is growing year after year, we want to make the excitement of the event grow annually as well, while still keeping the essence of the Winter BrewFest intact. That’s why this year we’re adding even more space to the event, getting more food vendors and are adding a picture booth. Best of all, this year all of our beers will be from Montana breweries only! Overall, it will be a great night for the Missoula community to enjoy awesome music, delicious food, and most importantly, one another’s company.”
In addition to hosting over three dozen microbrews from Montana’s finest breweries, Winter BrewFest will showcase the musical talent and tasty eats that make Downtown Missoula a vibrant place to connect – even in the winter. Entertainment will be provided by Ted Ness and the Rusty Nails and Off in the Woods and food will be provided by Covered Wagon Hot Dogs, Paisano’s, El Cazador and MacKenzie River Pizza Company. There will be many ways to stay warm throughout the event with burn barrels and propane heaters.
Winter BrewFest is sponsored by KettleHouse Brewing Co. and the Trail 103.3. More information can be found online at www.missouladowntown.com/winter-brewfest, by contacting the MDA staff via phone (406-543-4238), or email (info@missouladowntown.com).