EBS STAFF
A grassroots collaboration a year and a half in the making, Bozeman Craft Beer Week will finally come to a frothy head Saturday, May 6 through Saturday, May 13. Organized by avid Bozeman homebrewers Jesse Bussard and Loy Maierhauser, the inaugural eight-day event is packed with more than 20 local beer-focused, multi-venue events involving all nine Bozeman and Belgrade breweries (and one cider house).
Special collaboration beers crafted for this maiden event include a coffee India pale ale, fruit infused gose, a lemongrass white India pale ale, a Scotch ale, a single malt pale ale, and a kölsch. These limited edition brews will be poured at four different events throughout the week, and on tap at the respective breweries.
Beer and food enthusiasts will have the opportunity to experience these collaboration beers alongside small-plate culinary creations during a pairing dinner at Montana Ale Works on Tuesday, May 9.
Craft Beer Week kicks off Saturday, May 6 with an opportunity to learn how to homebrew with the Bridger Brew Crew at Planet Natural, and a “Collaboration Beer Tap Takeover” at Red Chair Café & Bar.
On Sunday, join “Beer-lympics” at MAP Brewing, happy hour at Bar 3 Brewing and BBQ, and a “Beer-d and Mash-tache” competition at 406 Brewing Company.
Monday brings “Brews on the Fly Tying Competition” with Montana Troutfitters at White Dog Brewing, growler painting at Bunkhouse Brewery, a screening of “Strange Brew” at Bozeman Brewing Company and a burger and beer-pairing event at Copper Whiskey Bar and Grill.
Tuesday features a stein holding competition at Bridger Brewing, the collaboration beer pairing dinner at Montana Ale Works, and a ping-pong tournament with Blazing Paddles at MAP Brewing.
Get your midweek exercise in at the Brewery 5K on Wednesday, May 10 with Bozeman Running Company at Madison River Brewing Co., and treat yourself afterwards with cider tasting and tours at Lockhorn Cider House, collaborative beer pint night at Bozeman Taproom, and live music by Dan Dubuque at Outlaw Brewing.
Enjoy “Yappy Hour” with MAP Brewing and Happy Dog Beer Co. at Dee-O-Gee, bluegrass and beer with Bozeman Brewing at Red Tractor Pizza, and a sour beer seminar on Thursday. Friday, May 12 culminates with the Montana Brewers Association Spring Brewers Rendezvous at Haynes Pavilion at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds with an after-party at Bozeman Taproom.
The morning of Saturday, May 13 sees a fitting end to the long week with a “Beers + Bacon = Brunch” event at MAP Brewing.
Throughout the week, enjoy beer trivia as you cruise the town on Gear Belly’s pub bike or sip suds on a scavenger hunt on a tasting tour with Tour de Foam.
“Our community and the local beer scene are ripe for an event series like this,” said Fermentana founder and event organizer Bussard. “It offers an opportunity for locals and beer vacationers alike to enjoy our local beer scene in a more intimate way … Through unique events and special release beers, this event highlights the best our craft breweries have to offer.”
To assist beer lovers on their weeklong journey, Fermentana has created an official Bozeman Craft Beer Week Passport. The pocket-sized guide contains a full schedule of events, special discounts and its purchase serves as entry into the Bozeman Craft Beer Week Giveaway which boasts more than $2000 worth of prizes.
Passports are available for purchase at MAP Brewing, Dee-O-Gee, and the Bozeman Taproom and online at bozemancraftbeerweek.com where you can also view a complete schedule of events.
