The Missoula Downtown Association will host the eighth annual Winter BrewFest on Saturday, February 17, 2018 from 3-9 pm. Held at Caras Park, it will feature live entertainment, beer, wine, food, and more. The public is invited to sample a variety drinks while experiencing a unique winter-time event in the heart of Downtown.
In addition to showcasing over two-dozen microbrews from Montana’s finest breweries, a brand new feature this year at Winter BrewFest is a mixed drink bar with tastings from The Montana Distillery and Montgomery Distillery with both cold and hot options, alongside a hot drink bar where non-drinkers and designated drivers can warm up with coffee and hot cocoa.
This year’s event will also feature a DJ for the first time alongside food from some of Missoula’s best food trucks. Grab delicious eats to pair alongside your brews from El Cazador, Big Thai Country, Just BBQ, and Polka Dot Patties. Attendees can stay warm throughout the event with burn barrels and propane heaters.
“Come February each year, Missoulians are looking for ways to get out of the house and experience a fun and unique event,” said Winter BrewFest committee chair Ellen Buchanan. “Winter BrewFest continues to grow year after year because folks really love that we bring in Montana-only beers alongside great music, local food vendors, and burn barrels that keep them warm. With adding in local distillery mixed drinks, activities for families to experience together, and expanding the hours, we are hoping that this event truly provides something for everyone to enjoy.”
By moving the event to a Saturday, the event hopes to give families a way to connect with Downtown by offering free Carousel rides and s’mores from 3-5pm thanks to Farmer’s State Bank. After visiting the Carousel, families are encouraged to head to the Caras Park pavilion for hot drinks, dancing, and food.
While Winter BrewFest is free for all to enjoy, those looking to taste beers, wine, and mixed drinks will need to purchase an official event glass for $15 per person that includes three drink tokens. Additional tokens are 2 for $3. Event organizers encourage attendees to drink responsibly and bring designated drivers – pop, water, coffee and hot cocoa will be available for non-drinkers.
When traveling to Winter BrewFest, remember parking is free Downtown on weekends. 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. Taxi service and Uber drivers are also available as well for safe transportation home.
Official Winter BrewFest 2018 Beer List:
- NW IPA…Kettlehouse Brewing Co…Missoula, MT
- Inconceivable #4…Bayering Brewing…Missoula, MT
- Shreddy Day IPA…Draught Works…Missoula, MT
- Moonlight Paddle Kettle Sour…Flathead Lake Brewing…Big Fork, MT
- Sip & Go Naked Apricot Ale…Tamarack Brewing…Lakeside, MT
- Buzzkill Coffee Stout…Bozeman Brewing….Bozeman, MT
- Dark Temptress Russian Imperial Stout…Bitterroot Brewing…Hamilton, MT
- Corners Porter Coffee Porter…Philipsburg Brewing…Philipsburg, MT
- The Hop Tamer IPA…Higher Ground Brewing…Belgrade, MT
- Milk Stout…Blackfoot River Brewing…Helena, MT
- Poor Farmer Hopped Cider…Western Cider Co…Missoula, MT
- Sour Cherry Cider…Western Cider Co…Missoula, MT
- Pack Train…Big Sky Brewing…Missoula, MT
- Space Goat…Big Sky Brewing…Missoula, MT
- Ringshank Rye IPA…Red Lodge Brewing…Red Lodge, MT
- Rock Dodge Porter…Red Lodge Brewing…Red Lodge, MT
- Superweed…Lewis & Clark Brewing…Helena, MT
- Weizenbock…Lewis & Clark Brewing…Helena, MT
- Big Mountain TPA…Great Northern Brewing…Whitefish, MT
- Guy on a Buffalo Coffee Stout…Great Northern Brewing…Whitefish, MT
- Scottish Winter Ale…Missoula Brewing Co…Missoula, MT
- Belgian Blonde…Missoula Brewing Co…Missoula, MT
- Spice Beer…Harvest Moon Brewing…Belt, MT
- Coffee Stout…Great Burn Brewing…Missoula, MT
- Haze Craze NE IPA…Great Burn Brewing…Missoula, MT
- Ravalli Red…Blacksmith Brewing…Stevensville, MT
- Brickhouse Blonde…Blacksmith Brewing…Stevensville, MT
- The Unifier Extra Special Brown Ale…Imagination Brewing…Missoula, MT
- Widening Circles Dusseldorf Sticke Altbier…Imagination Brewing, Missoula, MT
- Blackberry Sour…White Dog Brewing…Bozeman, MT
- Tree Knocker IPA…Ten Mile Creek Brewing…Helena, MT
- Snowflake Gingerbread Ale…Meadowlark Brewing…Sidney, MT
- Orion Belgian Tripel…Meadowlark Brewing…Sidney, MT
- Malachi’s Frostbite Winter Ale…Cabinet Mountain Brewing…Libby, MT
Winter BrewFest is sponsored by Gecko Designs, Rockin’ Rudy’s, Trail 103.3, Farmer’s State Bank, Runner’s Edge, Run Wild Missoula, The Montana Distillery, Montgomery Distillery, and Badlander Catering. More information can be found online at www.missouladowntown.com/winter-brewfest, by contacting the Missoula Downtown Association staff via phone (406-543-4238), or email (info@missouladowntown.com).