Montana-made craft beer will highlight a post-Independence Day celebration hosted by the U.S. Consul General in Calgary on July 6.
Consul General Thomas Palaia and his wife, Sarah Palaia, will host more than 7,000 community and business leaders from Calgary for a Montana-themed celebration of America’s independence.
Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney, representatives from the Governor’s Office of Economic Affairs and Montana brewery owners also will attend.
Guests will be able to sample beers from six Montana breweries: The Front Brewing Co. (Great Falls); Tamarack Brewing Co. (Lakeside); Flathead Lake Brewing Co. (Bigfork); Lewis and Clark Brewing Co. (Helena); Big Sky Brewing (Missoula) and Kettlehouse Brewing Co. (Missoula).
This event comes as the Montana craft beer industry continues to boom. Montana is currently home to nearly 70 breweries, with more planned or under construction. A recent study by the University of Montana shows that Montana beer production has increased by 87 percent since 2010, and that employment in Montana breweries increased by 204 percent between 2010 and 2015.
It also comes in the wake of the passage of HB 541, a bill passed during the 2017 legislative session that will remove restrictive growth limitations from Montana breweries. HB 541, which goes into effect Oct. 1 will raise the 10,000 barrel production limit to 60,000 barrels, allowing breweries to grow past 10,000 barrels of annual production without losing their taproom.
“We’re excited to give our friends to the North a taste of what Montana brewers have to offer. Now that barriers to growth in our industry are being lifted, Montana brewers are eyeing export opportunities, including the Canadian market,” said Matt Leow, executive director of the Montana Brewers Association.
Montana brewers are also excited about the prospects seen in Canada, whether it is export potential or the increasing draw for the tourism industry.
“We’re very excited to have been invited to provide beer for this event,” said Greg Johnston of Flathead Lake Brewing Co. “It’s great to be able to share our handcrafted beer with our neighbors and we hope this is a relationship that will flourish.”
“This was a great opportunity to share our product with neighbors who, despite being so close, may not have ever tried our beer before,” said Jeremiah Johnson of The Front Brewing Co in Great Falls. “I think it sets the stage for a trade and tourism relationship that has a lot of potential and we’re excited to be a part of it.”