Page 19 - Flathead Beacon // 2.19.14

FLATHEADBEACON.COM
FEBRUARY 19, 2014 // THE FOOD ISSUE 19

LEFT: From left: Karl Kassler, Andy Kvasnak and Chris
Neill, part owners of H.A. Brewing in Eureka.

ABOVE: The Grave Creek IPA from H.A. Brewing in Eureka.

H.A. Brewing Hits its Stride
GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON

Eureka brewery takes home award one month after opening

BY JUSTIN FRANZ OF THE BEACON
state by the Montana Brewers Association.
one eight miles out of town. But the packed taproom,
E“It was nice to know right out of the gate that we
which is open Thursday through Sunday, tells another
UREKA – Less than a year ago, Chris
were hitting the mark,” Neill said.
story.
Neill was a furniture maker hoping H.A. is one of many breweries that have emerged in
Karl Kassler, one of the brewery’s partners, says a
his passion for brewing could become Montana in recent years, especially in the northwest big reason for the brewery’s success is Neill’s recipes
something more than just a hobby. Be- part of the state where ive are open and operating and and passion for beer. Neill doesn’t set out to make beer
hind his woodshop just south of Eureka
two more could join the ranks in 2014. According to that he thinks people will like, but rather makes beer
he set up the H.A. Brewing Co., previously known as the Montana Brewers Association, there are more than that he likes.

Homestead Ales, a small craft brewery nestled along 40 breweries in the state and in 2012 there were 2,403 The formula is working, even if the soft-spoken
Graves Creek.
breweries operating in the United States, the highest head brewer is reluctant to gloat.
Neill’s plan was simple: keep making furniture to total since the 1880s.
“I like the beer and I’m glad other people like it,”
pay the bills and spend his spare time making the beer Neill and his wife moved to Eureka 17 years ago and, Neill said.
he loves.
with some encouragement, Neill and a group of friends H.A. currently produces nine diferent types of
How times change. Today, Neill is making more started working on the brewery in 2012. They started beer and all varietals are available at the tap house
wooden tap handles than cofee tables and he’s spend- with a three-barrel system but have since moved up to on Graves Creek Road. The beer is also on tap at bars

ing most of his time in the brewery trying to keep up a ive-barrel system to meet demand. They currently in Eureka and Whiteish. For more information, visit
with demand that has only grown since H.A. opened have the capacity to make 1,000 to 1,300 barrels of beer www.homesteadales.com. You can also ind them on
last August. One of Montana’s newest breweries hit ayear.
Facebook.
the ground running last fall when, just weeks after it Neill and his partners were worried that Eureka [email protected]
opened, its India Pale Ale was named the best in the
wouldn’t be receptive to a microbrewery, especially

Worldy Brews from a Local Source

HOP’S DOWNTOWN GRILL IS KNOWN FOR ITS BURGER
can’t buy anywhere else,” Day said.
selection and cozy atmosphere, but it’s also the place to go Approaching a 100-beer list can be a little overwhelming,
when you are craving a cold beer from a global selection. The so Day picked out ive of her favorites.
restaurant has 100 types of bottled beer in its coolers, and • Celebrator – a Bavarian double bock from the Ayinger
while the labels and names are fun and enticing, the brews Brewery in Germany

are also top notch.
• Westmalle Trappist Ale – a tripel from the monks at the
Vonnie Day, Hop’s co-owner and wife of Hop’s chef Doug Brouwerij Westmalle in Belgium
Day, said they started ofering so many selections out of a • Brother Thelonius – a Belgian-style abbey ale from North
love for craft beer, and it grew from there.
Coast Brewing Company in California
“It is so fun to have access to all these amazing beers • Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout – a stout from the
from all over the world,” Day said. “They’re terriic beers.”
Samuel Smith Old Brewery in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire,
With an ever-changing selection, Hop’s also supports lo- UK
Beer from Hop’s Downtown Grill, located at
cal and state brewers, with seven or eight types on tap at a • Tusker Premium Lager – a light lager from East African
121 Main St. in Kalispell. For more information, visit
www.hopsmontana.com or call 406-755-7687. time.
Breweries Ltd. in Nairobi, Kenya
GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
“We try to feature beers on tap and in bottles that you
- Molly Priddy